I need to be real with you—I almost didn’t do it.
When I got the invitation to speak at AWS Cloud Day Philippines 2025’s Developer’s Lounge, I was excited. But that excitement quickly turned into panic when I saw the full speaker lineup.
The Moment Everything Hit Me
There were founders, managers, senior engineers, and team leads with years of experience. And then there was me—just over a year into my role as a Cloud Applications Specialist, leading an amazing community through BuildHers+, but definitely not feeling like I belonged on that stage.
Oh, and I was the only woman presenting.
That last part? It hit differently. I stared at my name on that lineup for what felt like forever, and all I could think was: “What am I doing? I should probably back out before I embarrass myself.”
The Fear Was So Real
I’m not going to sugarcoat it—I was terrified. It wasn’t just regular public speaking nerves (though trust me, those were there too). It was this heavy feeling that if I messed up, I wouldn’t just be failing myself. I’d be reinforcing every doubt people might have about women in technical roles.
That’s the thing about being “the only one”—you feel like you’re representing everyone who looks like you. It’s exhausting before you even start.
I kept thinking about all the ways it could go wrong. What if people didn’t take me seriously? What if my technical explanations weren’t good enough? What if they wondered why someone with just a year of experience was even on that stage?
Why I Decided to Do It Anyway
Here’s what changed my mind: I thought about all the BuildHers+ members I work with. I thought about the women in our AWS User Group who constantly tell me they don’t feel confident enough to speak up. I thought about the girls who might be in that audience, wondering if there’s a place for them in tech.
If I backed out because I was scared, what message would that send?
So I made a decision. I was going to do this—not because I suddenly felt confident (I didn’t), but because someone needed to. And that someone might as well be me.
What Actually Happened
The day of the event, I was still nervous. But once I started talking about TAK (Team Awareness Kit) and how we’re using AWS to help first responders during disasters and emergencies, something clicked. I stopped thinking about being “the only woman” and started focusing on the work that actually matters.
The audience was engaged. People asked questions. And afterwards, I had some really great conversations with attendees who’d never heard about this kind of disaster response technology before.
I also got to connect with some incredible people—Wendy Yen and Rani Sarojeni Burchmore from AWS (which was surreal as an AWS re/Start alumna), industry folks like Sir Donnie Prakoso, Sir Paul Sears, and Sir Jon Bonso, and so many others who made me feel like I did belong there after all.
What Being “The Only One” Taught Me
Look, I’m not going to pretend it didn’t feel weird being the only woman speaker. It did. But here’s what I realized:
Someone has to be first. Someone has to be the one person in the room so that eventually, we’re not the only person in the room anymore.
Every time a young woman sees another woman presenting technical content, giving a talk, or leading a discussion, it plants a seed. It makes the impossible feel possible. It turns “I could never do that” into “maybe I could try.”
That’s literally why BuildHers+ exists—to create spaces where women don’t have to be “the only one” as often.
To Anyone Who’s Ever Felt Like This
If you’re reading this and you’ve ever been invited to speak, present, or lead something and thought “I’m not ready” or “I don’t belong”—I get it. That feeling is so valid.
But here’s the thing: they asked you. Not because they needed to fill a diversity quota (though representation matters), but because you have something valuable to share.
Will you be nervous? Probably. Will you feel out of place? Maybe. But you know what? You’ll survive it. And on the other side of that fear is growth, new connections, and the knowledge that you did something that scared you.
Plus, you never know who in that audience needs to see someone like them on that stage.
Moving Forward
Looking back on AWS Cloud Day Philippines 2025, I’m grateful I pushed through that initial fear. What started as a moment of self-doubt became a powerful reminder of why representation matters in tech spaces. We need diverse voices not as a checkbox exercise, but because different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives make our industry stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive.
The next time you find yourself as “the only one” in the room, remember: you’re not just there for yourself. You’re there for everyone who looks like you, thinks like you, or dreams like you. You’re there to open doors, break barriers, and light the way for others to follow.
Step outside your comfort zone. The tech world needs your voice.
Special thanks to the AWS Cloud Day Philippines 2025 organizing team, my fellow speakers, the BuildHers+ community, and everyone who continues to champion diversity and inclusion in tech spaces. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future.
About the Author
Uriel Alonso is a Cloud Applications Specialist at Apper Cloud Labs and a key member of the Professional Services Engineering team that delivers innovative cloud solutions. She is an alumna of the AWS re/Start program and a graduate of the AWS She Builds Mentorship Program, both of which helped shape her journey into the cloud industry.
Passionate about increasing representation in tech, Uriel serves as one of the Community Leaders of AWS User Group BuildHers+ Philippines, where she works to create inclusive spaces and opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals in the technology industry.
Beyond her professional and advocacy work, she actively fosters a supportive and inclusive tech community, creating environments where individuals feel not only welcomed but truly empowered, valued, and inspired to grow their careers in technology.
