Where is the tech sector at on Woman’s Equality Day 2024?
Wendy Zveglic, VP of Engineering, Fluent Commerce
As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, we emphasize how diversity drives innovation. The future of technology is being written today, and days like these remind us that a future representative of all is only possible when it is built by a set of diverse hands. Technology designed by a homogenous group is always going to be biased, and the consequences of that are dire. It is really crucial to encourage women to contribute their ideas and talent to the industry to correct existing gender bias and prevent more from creeping in.
As we commemorate the strides made towards women’s equality, let’s also commit to a culture that doesn’t just invite women in but champions their success and invites others to the table. It’s about creating an environment where women’s contributions are not just welcomed but are seen as essential to innovation and change that moves us all forward.
Chrissay Brinkmann, PreSales Engineer, Leaseweb USA
As an engineer in the tech industry, I celebrate Women’s Equality Day. Women contribute greatly to STEM, and I’m glad to see more women entering this field. To be an effective engineer, it is important to have as many unique viewpoints in the room as possible, and that includes those of women. It is significantly easier to drive solutions when you have diverse perspectives.
I encourage all girls and women who dream of a career in engineering to follow their passion and pursue their goals. I commend all the organizations already going out of their way to empower and recruit women into these roles.
Sarah Ahmed, M&A Specialist, Evergreen
Women’s well-being and gender equity aren’t just women’s issues; they are crucial to support families, strengthen communities, and drive the entire economy forward. When women have equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities in the workplace, it leads to healthier families, reduced poverty, and more cohesive communities. Women’s Equality Day serves as a celebration of the hard-fought victories gained and a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts to ensure equal rights for all.
Samantha Clarke, VP Channel and Partnerships, VDURA
Women’s Equality Day is a powerful reminder of both how far we’ve come and the work that still lies ahead. My career in technology has been driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to building meaningful partnerships that drive real results. Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that true success comes from embracing challenges, seeking out mentors and leaders who push you to grow, and always remembering to give back.
At VDURA, I’m proud to be part of a team that believes in these principles and works every day to foster an environment where every voice is valued and where results speak for themselves. Let’s use Women’s Equality Day as a moment to reflect on our progress and to recommit to creating a future where every woman in technology has the opportunity to thrive.
Louise Willoughby, Chief People Officer, Beekeeper
Women’s Equality Day provides us with the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of women across all sectors, as well as provide visibility to the unique needs women in the workforce have.
An example of this can be seen with working mothers, who need to balance demanding work schedules while also managing family responsibilities. As we celebrate their resilience and strength, this is also where managers can reflect on the workplace flexibility and predictable shifts practices they have implemented and examine where improvements can be made to better empower their workers.
It’s no secret that frontline industries are struggling to recruit and retain employees. But by addressing the needs of women workers, operational leaders have access to a broader talent pool. Women make up a sizable portion of the potential workforce. If companies don’t prioritize creating workplaces that support their female employees, they run the risk of closing themselves off to potential candidates.
Jennette Skaggs, Field Enablement Manager, Progress for Her Co-leader
Though women have made strides, especially in STEM fields, disparities like the wage gap, workplace harassment and discrimination persist. On Women’s Equality Day, applauding women’s achievements while acknowledging ongoing challenges is vital. Such reflection reinforces the pledge for gender equity and empowerment in offices.
Terrie Butcher, Director, Technical Support, Progress for Her Co-leader
Diversity enriches company culture with varied viewpoints and creativity, which propels business success. It’s crucial to cultivate an equitable work environment where each person can excel and women have the same prospects for leadership and innovation.
Chen Webber-Cantor, Group Product Manager, Zerto
As I reflect on the state of women’s equality, I reaffirm my belief that gender parity provides diverse perspectives and introduces different problem-solving approaches that create more unique and innovative solutions.
Companies aiming to create a work culture that supports gender equality must have their leadership commitment- to set goals for diversity and inclusion and track their progress, be fair to all, and teach their staff why diversity and inclusion are enablers to the organization success.
On this year’s Women’s Equality Day, my message to women is simple yet challenging: Dare. Get out of your comfort zone, indulge your curiosity, stay open minded and proactively seek out opportunities to enrich your skills and knowledge to continue to make an impact.
Luz Geist, Director of Engineering, Cubic Defense
“This Women’s Equality Day, we honor the incredible achievements and contributions of women in their respective fields. The holiday was created in 1971 commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote on August 26, 1920. The day serves as a constant reminder of the progress made in the fight for equality.
The annual holiday recognizes the past, while inspiring next generations to continue the pursuit of equality. The day celebrates strength, resilience and determination of women who have broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings in every field imaginable.
August 26 is a day to reflect on the importance of diversity in our workplaces and communities. I’m proud to say, Cubic Corporation has created a powerful platform for women, embracing new opportunities, professional growth, while urging a healthy work-life balance.
I encourage pushing boundaries, implementing new initiatives that empower, recognizes and encourages women at all levels of the organization to be ambitious through the sharing of content and honest conversations.”
Cindy Heiner, CISO, Aiden Technologies
When I think back on my journey, I am reminded of the early years of my profession when I was frequently the only woman present in meetings, conferences, or teams. I quickly concluded that the best way to ensure my voice was heard was to become an expert by specializing in a certain field. I decided that application security and the use of tools for dynamic application security testing was my bread and butter. It is niche, but it has served me well. By developing this deep expertise, I was able to increase my knowledge, skills, and influence over time while also becoming a priceless asset to my employers.
On this Women’s Equality Day, I want to encourage all women to find their niche and cultivate it with passion. By becoming an expert, you carve out a space where your expertise is recognized, and your voice is amplified. It is a powerful way to drive your career forward and make a lasting impact.
Beyond individual achievement, though, we also need to hold companies responsible for gender diversity. Many organizations still fall behind in reaching gender parity, despite years of evidence demonstrating that diversity of thought leads to stronger business practices and leadership. Women need to call attention to these inadequacies and choose carefully who and where to conduct business.
Women’s Equality Day serves as a timely reminder that despite our achievements, much work remains. It is our collective responsibility to bring about meaningful change, advocate for equitable representation, and elevate the voices of women across all industries. By working together, we can create a world in which equality is a reality rather than just a goal.
Becky Wallace, Head of People, LearnUpon
“Women’s Equality Day honors the women who have made a difference across industries, reminding us of the momentum and power we have in global gender equality efforts. While there is still much progress to be made, strong women around the world are finding innovative and creative ideas to break the glass ceilings so that others can follow.
It is a part of our responsibility as women in executive roles to make sure women — as well as all members of our organization — feel included by spreading awareness of biases and how to overcome them. As part of our core values, we set people up for success by encouraging idea-sharing, active listening, and celebrating contributions. By emphasizing our values, we create a welcome space for everyone at LearnUpon.
Learning is a huge part of every business’s journey towards a more equal and inclusive environment. LearnUpon provides diversity, equity, and inclusion courses for employees to take and hosts organization-wide meetings for people to share their stories to educate leadership and fellow employees, creating a workplace that respects all backgrounds and encourages inclusion across departments. This is our way of putting our values to action, and we continue to foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their stories and participating in activities. On this Women’s Equality Day, we hope to see many more organizations following our lead this way.”
