The latest candidate in our series of Q&As with influential women in the technology business is Lianna Genovese, CEO & Founder, ImaginAble Solutions, a women-led social impact company creating assistive technologies like Guided Hands that empower people with hand disabilities to write, paint, draw, and use touchscreen devices.
Name: Lianna Genovese
Job Title & Company: CEO & Founder, ImaginAble Solutions
Years in the Industry: 6 Years
The Quote That Most Inspires You: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” (- Rocky Balboa)
What drew you to a career in the consumer and/or business technology industry?
I created Guided Hands for my friend Elissa, who has Cerebral Palsy. She loved painting, but as her condition progressed, she lost the ability to even hold a paintbrush due to muscle weakness and spasticity in her hand. I didn’t realize how devastating that loss was for her both physically and emotionally, and it made me recognize how fortunate I was to have full mobility, something I had taken for granted.
Meeting Elissa changed my life, and meeting other children and adults with hand disabilities, whether from strokes, spinal cord injuries, ALS, or other conditions, only deepened my commitment. After hearing the words, “Mom, I want one” from a little girl with Cerebral Palsy as she painted with the biggest smile on her face, I realized I created something that could truly impact someone’s life.
At that moment, I knew that this was exactly what I was supposed to do: to make the world more accessible. A week later and at age 19, I incorporated ImaginAble Solutions.
Have you encountered any roadblocks along the way that were related to your gender?
Absolutely. As a woman in engineering and a young solo founder, I’ve often felt overlooked or underestimated, especially in technical spaces. But every one of those moments became fuel, pushing me to keep showing up, keep building, and keep proving that passion, empathy, and purpose are powerful forces in business. I still get goosebumps every time someone uses Guided Hands for the first time, seeing their face light up, watching parents’ eyes fill with tears as they finally have a piece of artwork to hang on the wall, and reading messages thanking us for changing their loved one’s life. That purpose has been my driving force, helping me overcome every challenge.
What unique characteristics or perspective do you feel you bring to your organization as a woman?
I lead with empathy and authenticity, two traits that have come natural to me as a woman and from growing up in a big, loving Italian family, where hard work and helping others were part of everyday life. Whether it was helping my Nonna in the kitchen or my Nonno make wine and tending the tomato garden, I learned how to be a hard worker like them. My mother taught me how to be genuine, compassionate, and kind, and that’s become my greatest strength as a CEO. I empathize deeply with families during sales calls; I empathize during the design process, holding the hands of individuals with disabilities, feeling their spasticity and tone. Empathy is what started this journey and it’s how I will grow this company to impact hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities around the world.
Technology is historically a male-dominated industry, yet the use of tech is fully embraced by women, and many studies even suggest that females are the primary buyers of tech in the home. What do you feel the technology industry needs to attract more women, particularly into high-level positions?
We need to show women they belong here. That starts with mentorship, representation, and creating spaces where women feel safe and supported to lead boldly. We also need investors, partners, and boards willing to back women-founded companies solving meaningful problems.
If you had to sum up what it is like being a woman in this male-dominated technology industry in just a few words, what would you say?
Challenging, empowering, and absolutely worth it.
Are there women in the tech industry who inspire you?
I’m deeply inspired by women like Margaret Hamilton, who led the software engineering team that helped land Apollo 11 on the moon. To think that in the 1960s, at a time when women weren’t expected or even encouraged to be scientists or engineers, she not only showed up but shaped history. Women like Margaret built the foundation for us, proving that we belong in this space. Her courage and brilliance remind me that every time we break a barrier, we make it easier for the next generation. We need to keep showing up, keep leading, and keep being proud women in tech.
What are some of the misconceptions/myths about women working in the technology space that you’d like to dispel?
That we’re not technical enough or risk-takers. I’ve seen women engineer brilliant solutions, negotiate partnerships with global brands, and drive growth with incredible grit and creativity. We bring technical skills and emotional intelligence, both critical for innovation, especially in the disability tech industry.
What’s one thing you wish was done differently in the industry, and why?
I wish inclusivity and accessibility were embedded from the very start of innovation, not treated as an afterthought. Too often, people with disabilities are left out of the design process and when we overlook their needs, we miss the chance to create truly meaningful solutions. Self-expression is a human right, one that should be accessible to everyone. When we prioritize disability innovation and design with accessibility at the core, we’re not just making better products, we’re building a more compassionate, equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to live fully and independently.
How do you feel the latest shift to AI will impact the way you do your job and opportunities for women in the industry?
AI has incredible potential to transform assistive technology, making it more adaptive, personalized, and insightful. At ImaginAble Solutions, we’ve already started integrating AI into our operations and products to track motor function progress or regression in healthcare settings, helping clinicians deliver more effective therapy. I believe AI, when learned and embraced thoughtfully, creates powerful opportunities for women in tech, especially to lead the ethical, human-centred development of these tools. I’m excited to see more women shaping AI’s future, making sure it uplifts, includes, and empowers the people and communities who need it most.
Are you optimistic for the future in general and for the industry?
Yes, completely. Every day I see more people prioritizing accessibility, more women leading, and more conversations around inclusive design. I believe we’re moving toward a future where innovation is measured not just by profit, but by impact. Nowhere is this more evident than in programs and organizations like The Forum dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in tech and across all industries in Canada. Being a part of a network and community that champions women founders helps make this future possible.