Are Women Getting Tech Respect?

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As Indiana’s technology scene continues to gain momentum, some suggest the spotlight has largely been left off of prominent women leaders. Angie’s List Inc. (Nasdaq: ANGI) Senior Vice President of Technology Robin Fleming and Central Indiana Workforce Development Initiative Vice President of Talent Sally Reasoner say they are working to change that. Fleming says mentoring is a key, so she focuses on encouraging young women to take STEM-related classes in school. During an interview this weekend on Inside INdiana Business Television, Reasoner said it’s critical to realize the full scope of tech-enabled opportunities.

Fleming and Reasoner were recently named finalists for Leading Light Awards from Women & Hi Tech, an organization that spotlights Hoosier women in the industry. Fleming has spent nearly three decades in roles with tech startups, post-acquisition companies and mid-size companies, despite not having many STEM-focused options when she was in high school. Prior to working with the Central Indiana Workforce Development Initiative, she served as director of talent programs at TechPoint.

Indianapolis was recently ranked fifth out of 58 cities by Fast Company for The Best Cities For Women In Tech. A new report from SmartAsset shows women make up 26.5 percent of U.S. tech jobs and earn on average 85 percent of what men make in similar positions.

Reasoner says most efforts in K-12 are focused on technology and software development. She says her organization represents a wider swath of industries. "We represent all high-tech fields, especially the tech-enabled industries like agriculture, life sciences, that you don’t typically think of STEM talent being involved, but it’s critical," adding the Central Indiana Workforce Development Initiative is building strategies and talent pipelines for under-represented segments of the STEM work force.

Editor’s Note: A previous version incorrectly named Fleming and Reasoner winners of Leading Light Awards.