Celebrating Women IN Tech
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The inaugural Women IN Tech Week in Indiana marks a significant milestone for our state and our tech community. As a woman who has spent over two decades in the technology sector, I am thrilled to see this initiative come to fruition. This week-long event, celebrated from September 15-22, 2024, is more than just a series of events; it’s a powerful statement about the need for gender equity in the tech industry.
The creation of Women IN Tech Week is a response to the persistent challenges that women face in male-dominated fields. Despite accounting for nearly half of the workforce, women hold only 25% of all jobs in the tech industry, and the representation of women in senior IT roles like CIOs or CTOs is even lower, at around 17%. This disparity is not just a statistic; it reflects real barriers that women encounter daily (Techopedia) (Pew Research Center). I can’t thank Linda Calvin, Kara Kavensky and Ariel Crowley enough for using their voices to stand up for all women in tech and making Women IN Tech Week a reality.
Throughout my career, I have faced micro-aggressions, stereotypes, and outright discrimination. I can’t count the number of times I’ve walked into a room to lead a meeting, only to be mistaken for the person responsible for getting coffee or setting up the room. Despite closing over $500 million in tech sales, I have been told by men in IT leadership roles that they don’t negotiate with women. Pay equity remains a significant issue, further exacerbating these challenges.
The pay disparities in the tech industry are both deflating and demotivating. As a top-performing tech sales representative, it was particularly disheartening to discover that my male counterparts, whose sales were not as significant as mine, had higher base salaries. When I confronted leadership about this, the response was the all-too-common refrain that I made more money overall. Yes, I did, because I sold more. And, I should have been on at least the same base salary as the underperforming men.
For me, Women IN Tech Week is hope for collective change. Governor Eric Holcomb’s proclamation declaring this week underscores the importance of supporting women in technology. The initiative aims to celebrate the contributions of women in tech and encourage more women to pursue careers in this field. It also seeks to create pathways for success and promotion, addressing the systemic barriers that have long hindered women’s progress in tech
Diverse teams, particularly in tech, are not just a matter of fairness; they are a business imperative. Research consistently shows that diverse teams are more innovative and better at solving problems, reflecting the diverse needs of their clients and customers. Companies with higher gender diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians. For example, a study by McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity were 21% more likely to outperform on profitability and 27% more likely to have superior value creation (Pew Research Center) (Codecademy).
The benefits of diversity extend beyond the bottom line. Diverse teams bring different experiences, leading to more creative solutions that serve wider demographics of people. . This is particularly important in tech, where the pace of innovation is rapid, and the need for diverse ideas and approaches is critical.
Women IN Tech Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the progress we have made and the work that still needs to be done. It is a call to action for companies, communities, and individuals to support women in tech, from offering mentorship and sponsorship opportunities to addressing pay inequities and creating inclusive workplaces.
As we celebrate Women IN Tech Week, let’s embrace the chance to create lasting, positive changes that lift up not just women, but the entire tech industry and our economy. Indiana’s commitment to supporting women in tech sends a strong message that it’s time for change, and each of us has a role to play. By working together, we can create a tech community where everyone, of any gender, is uplifted and encouraged to thrive.