AMSTERDAM, March 2026 – As the global community observes International Women’s Day 2026, the professional audiovisual (AV) and digital signage industries are reflecting on a decade of significant cultural and structural transformation. At the center of this evolution is PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays, which has positioned itself as a vanguard for gender equality and workplace diversity. Leading this charge is Suzanne Racz, Global Product Marketing Manager at PPDS, whose twenty-year career serves as both a roadmap and a testament to the changing face of the technology sector.
In an industry historically characterized by a stark gender imbalance, the narrative is shifting from one of isolation to one of integration. Racz, a highly respected figure within the AV community, has spent over three years at PPDS, where she oversees the strategic market positioning of the Philips Professional Displays portfolio. Her role is multifaceted, requiring the synchronization of product managers, engineers, technology partners, and operations teams to deliver complex imaging solutions to a global market. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Racz’s background as a certified life coach has allowed her to mentor a new generation of tech professionals, emphasizing that the path to leadership is paved with both technical expertise and emotional intelligence.
Two Decades of Transformation: From Isolation to Inclusion
The trajectory of Suzanne Racz’s career offers a unique perspective on the broader shifts within the tech world. Beginning her journey over 20 years ago in imaging solutions and audiovisual technologies, Racz recalls an era where being the "only woman in the room" was a standard occurrence rather than an anomaly. Her resume includes tenures at some of the world’s most influential technology firms, including Cisco, providing her with a front-row seat to the industry’s slow but steady pivot toward inclusivity.
"When I started in the imaging industry, the proportion of women was very low," Racz noted during a recent briefing at the PPDS headquarters in Amsterdam. "Today, while the tech world still lacks perfect balance, the change is real and measurable."
The data supports this observation. According to industry reports from 2026, the participation of women in technical and leadership roles across the AV sector has seen a compound annual growth rate of nearly 5% over the last five years. At PPDS, this progress is even more pronounced. The company reports that women now make up 29% of its global workforce, a figure that outperforms many of its direct competitors in the hardware-heavy AV sector.
Statistical Benchmarks: A Deep Dive into PPDS Diversity Metrics
The commitment to diversity at PPDS is not merely a corporate sentiment but a documented strategic priority. The company has released localized data that highlights significant achievements in specific markets, suggesting that regional management styles and hiring practices are successfully dismantling long-standing barriers.
In the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), which has traditionally been a male-dominated engineering hub, PPDS has achieved a female representation rate of 45%. This is particularly notable given the historical difficulty the region has faced in attracting women to STEM-related fields. In France, the company has reached parity, with 50% of the team being female. The United Kingdom has surpassed parity, with women making up 55% of the PPDS workforce.
Furthermore, within specialized departments, the numbers are even more striking. The Global Marketing team at PPDS is currently over 80% female. This concentration of female talent in strategic communication and product management roles indicates a shift in how technology brands are built and communicated to a global audience. These figures suggest that PPDS is not just hiring women for the sake of quotas but is placing them in high-impact positions that shape the company’s global strategy.
The Strategic Value of the AV Industry
To understand why gender diversity is critical for the AV industry, one must look at the nature of the technology itself. Modern AV solutions are no longer just about screens and hardware; they are about the "human experience." From hybrid workspace solutions and educational technology to immersive retail displays, AV technology sits at the intersection of communication and human interaction.
Racz emphasizes that the industry’s evolution into a software-centric and experience-driven field has opened doors for diverse perspectives. "AV technology shapes how people work and communicate," she explained. "Being part of this development is highly motivating. At PPDS, the culture supports equality not as a buzzword, but in daily practice. It is about working as one team, regardless of who you are."
This "one team" philosophy is essential in an environment where product cycles are accelerating. The integration of AI-driven analytics and sustainable hardware requires a multidisciplinary approach that benefits from a variety of cognitive styles and backgrounds. Industry analysts suggest that companies with diverse leadership teams are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability, a fact that PPDS seems to have integrated into its long-term business model.
Industry Initiatives: ISE, InfoComm, and the Power of Visibility
The broader AV industry has also stepped up its efforts to support women through high-profile initiatives at major trade shows like Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) and InfoComm. These events have evolved from simple product showcases into platforms for social and professional advocacy.
One notable example is the ISE Hackathon, where PPDS served as a sponsor for the Sustainability Track in early 2026. The event saw a record-breaking number of young female participants, many of whom were students or early-career professionals. These platforms provide visibility and community, sending a clear signal that inclusion is an essential component of the industry’s future.
"These events create community and momentum," Racz said. "They give women a platform, help with networking, and signal to the entire industry that inclusion is not an option, but essential."
However, Racz also pointed out a critical gap in the industry’s recruitment strategy. Many professionals in the AV world "stumble" into the industry by accident rather than by design. To create a more balanced future, Racz argues that the industry must move toward "intentional" career paths by engaging with schools and universities earlier.
Bridging the Gap: Education and Early Intervention
A significant portion of the current diversity challenge stems from a lack of awareness among young students regarding the variety of career paths available in AV technology. While many are aware of roles in software development or traditional engineering, the niche but lucrative world of professional displays, system integration, and global product marketing often remains invisible.
PPDS has addressed this by expanding its internship and graduate programs globally, specifically targeting schools with strong female enrollment in technical and business programs. By providing students with hands-on experience at events like the ISE Hackathon, the company aims to demystify the industry.
"Many young women simply don’t know how diverse the career paths in this industry can be," Racz observed. "A stronger outreach at schools and colleges could make a real difference. The earlier we show what is possible, the more balanced the future of the industry will be."
Professional Advice for the Next Generation
For women currently looking to advance their careers in the tech world, Racz’s advice is rooted in her dual experience as a marketing executive and a life coach. She advocates for a combination of technical mastery and unapologetic self-advocacy.
"Be confident in your expertise, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take up space," Racz advised. "Build relationships, find mentors, and constantly develop your skills. Don’t hide in the background. Bring your perspective—it is valuable."
This sentiment reflects a broader cultural shift in 2026, where "soft skills" like collaboration, empathy, and strategic communication are increasingly recognized as "hard assets" in the technology sector. Racz’s success at PPDS demonstrates that these qualities, when combined with deep industry knowledge, are a potent formula for leadership.
Broader Impact and Future Implications
The success of women like Suzanne Racz and the statistical progress at PPDS serve as a benchmark for the rest of the AV and imaging industry. As the sector continues to grapple with talent shortages and the rapid pace of technological change, the ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce is becoming a key competitive advantage.
The implications of this shift extend beyond internal corporate metrics. A more diverse workforce leads to more inclusive product design, more empathetic customer service, and more innovative marketing strategies. For PPDS, the goal for the remainder of the decade is clear: to continue building an environment where meritocracy and diversity coexist seamlessly.
As International Women’s Day 2026 concludes, the message from Amsterdam is one of cautious optimism. While the industry has not yet achieved total gender parity, the foundations for a more equitable future have been laid. Through a combination of strategic hiring, industry-wide advocacy, and the leadership of veterans like Suzanne Racz, the AV industry is finally proving that technology is at its best when it reflects the diversity of the world it serves.