Ingram Micro executives named in 2026 INvolve lists

Ingram Micro executives Hope McGarry and Leon De Suza have been named in the 2026 INvolve Heroes Role Model Lists. McGarry was recognised among Senior Executive Role Models, while De Suza was named among Advocate Executives.

The annual global lists, supported by YouTube and published by diversity and inclusion consultancy INvolve, recognise leaders and advocates advancing opportunities for women in business.

McGarry is Vice President and Chief Country Executive for Australia, and De Suza is Executive Managing Director for New Zealand. Their inclusion reflects work across Ingram Micro's Australia and New Zealand operations on workforce participation, leadership development, and career progression for women.

The recognition comes as Australia's technology sector continues to face a longstanding gender imbalance. According to ACS Digital Pulse 2026, women make up 32 per cent of the country's technology workforce, while representation in senior technology roles has risen by just one percentage point over the past decade, from 23 per cent to 24 per cent.

ACS also found that gender pay gaps remain above the national average across several technology-intensive industries. The research pointed to barriers including limited access to mentors, underrepresentation in leadership, inflexible work practices, and difficulties returning to work after career breaks.

Australia focus

In Australia, McGarry has overseen changes to workplace policies and development programmes. Ingram Micro said its family-friendly framework has expanded, participation in leadership development initiatives has increased, and staff have been supported through broader industry mentoring and networking efforts.

According to the company, 58 per cent of primary carer parental leave is now taken by men, reflecting a broader shift towards shared caregiving responsibilities. It said those policies also contributed to Family Friendly Workplace certification for 2024 to 2026.

Outside the business, McGarry has served as an executive mentor with the ARN Women in ICT Awards mentorship programme and Ember Connect. She also chairs Dell Technologies' Partner Advisory Board and supports women-focused technology industry initiatives.

McGarry said the issue extends beyond representation alone.

"Australia's technology sector continues to face skills shortages across technical, commercial and leadership roles. Expanding opportunities for women is not simply an inclusion issue, it is a workforce issue," she said.

"Australia's technology industry cannot afford to overlook half the available talent pool. Creating stronger pathways into leadership, supporting career progression and making it easier for people to remain and re-enter the workforce helps build the capability our industry needs for long-term growth."

She added that workplace changes aimed at inclusion can also improve recruitment and retention more broadly.

"One of the most encouraging shifts we're seeing is a broader recognition that inclusion benefits everyone.

"When organisations create more flexible and supportive environments, they improve attraction, retention and development outcomes across their entire workforce, not just for women."

New Zealand record

In New Zealand, De Suza has focused on representation in leadership, support for women returning to work, and broader cultural inclusion efforts, according to the company. It said female representation in the local leadership team has increased and that the business has reduced its gender pay gap by 3.8 per cent over the past three years.

His work has also included judging and executive sponsorship for the ARN Women in ICT Awards, along with mentoring women across commercial, product, and management roles. The company said he has also helped connect emerging leaders with external mentors and sponsors.

Part of that effort has centred on return-to-work pathways for women after extended career breaks, an area that employers and policymakers increasingly view as a source of experienced talent.

De Suza said inclusion efforts are becoming more closely tied to commercial concerns for employers competing in a tight labour market.

"For channel partners and technology businesses, diversity is increasingly becoming a commercial advantage. Organisations that draw on a broader range of experiences and perspectives are often better positioned to understand customers, solve problems and adapt to changing market conditions," he said.

"Many businesses are competing for the same technology talent. Inclusion initiatives, mentoring, leadership development and return-to-work programs help organisations access talent that might otherwise be overlooked while also improving retention of experienced employees.

"The most successful organisations recognise that inclusion is not separate from business performance. It directly influences culture, workforce stability and an organisation's ability to attract the people it needs to grow."

Assessment process

INvolve said the lists are independently assessed and based on evidence of activity and impact over the previous two years, rather than sponsorship or paid participation. Judges consider how nominees have contributed beyond their formal roles through mentoring, advocacy, sponsorship, networks, community programmes, and measurable inclusion outcomes.

Suki Sandhu OBE, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of INvolve, said: "I'm so thrilled to be celebrating this global group of trailblazing Executives, Future Leaders and Advocates who are working to ensure women in the workplace can thrive. All the individuals featured in our Heroes Role Model Lists, supported by YouTube, are championing inclusion and leveraging their expertise and knowledge to drive impactful initiatives and strategic change within their organisations. It's vital that women across global organisations can succeed and achieve career success, and these Role Models are essential drivers of change who are smashing barriers to progress. We could not effect change without them leading the way."