The Quiet Confidence Crisis 

Imposter syndrome (also known as fraud syndrome) is said to be found most often with gifted and high-achieving women. They feel undeserving and fake and feel they’ve deceived others into thinking they’re competent. They may dismiss their success as luck. 

Even the most brilliant women in tech feel like frauds sometimes. 

You might be leading a major project, heading new initiatives, or mentoring others yet still question whether you truly belong. That feeling’s called imposter syndrome, and if you’ve ever felt it, you’re not alone. Especially prevalent amongst high-achieving women, a KPMG study found that 75% of female executives have experienced it. 

But there’s good news: spaces like Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) help silence that inner doubt. GHC acts as that community, here to remind you of your value and help you own it. 

What Is Imposter Syndrome and Why Does It Hit Women in Tech So Hard? 

Imposter syndrome is that nagging belief that your success isn’t earned, that you’ve fooled everyone into thinking you’re more capable than you really are. It’s not a lack of confidence; it’s the persistent fear of being “found out,” even when you’ve got the credentials, experience, and results to back you up. 

Anyone can experience imposter syndrome, but it is more prevalent in women who have experienced success. You’ve climbed the ladder, proven yourself time and time again, and yet the higher you go, the more isolated and uncertain you may feel. 

But why? Because it’s not just internal. Systemic issues fuel these doubts. Gender bias, a lack of sponsorship, and being one of the few women in leadership can reinforce the feeling that you don’t quite belong. It’s not about lacking ability; it’s about navigating a system that wasn’t built with you in mind. 

That’s why it’s so refreshing to hear voices like rugby Olympian Ilona Maher say, “I just don’t have imposter syndrome.” Her confidence is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we stop internalizing doubt and start recognizing our own worth. 

How GHC Creates a Cure: Community, Confidence, and Clarity 

To shut down imposter syndrome, you must challenge it. That’s what GHC does. From plenary sessions to hallway conversations, the Celebration highlights and normalizes the shared experience and gives it language. That awareness alone can be transformative. 

But GHC goes further. It builds belonging. One 2024 Attendee put it best: “There’s a feeling of community at this conference like no other.” You’re surrounded by people who understand your journey, who mentor, uplift, and remind you that you’re not alone. 

And then there’s perspective. GHC stages aren’t just for polished résumés and lectures, they’re for real stories. Keynotes and panels often share the twists, setbacks, and pivots behind success, reframing failure as growth. 

Most importantly, GHC helps you own your impact. Whether you volunteer, serve as a mentor, lead a session, or join a local community, every interaction is a chance to realize and reinforce your value. Many like to say, “Focus on the value you bring.” GHC helps you do exactly that. 

Grace Hopper Celebration of Worth 

GHC is a mindset reset. It’s where you’re reminded that brilliance takes many forms, and yours is one of them. It’s a Celebration of your journey, a gathering of people who get it, and a catalyst for the clarity and confidence we so often deny ourselves. 

If you’ve ever felt like the only one in the room who didn’t belong—you’re not. And GHC is proof. Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation. GHC offers the antidote: visibility, connection, and validation. Join thousands of women who are owning their space, sharing their stories, and lifting each other up. 

Ready to stop feeling like an imposter? Register for GHC 25 today.