How We Get to Diversity in Tech - Laura Weidman + Megan Rose Dickey

TL;DR

Diversity in tech is crucial for economic equity, with systemic bias manifesting in various ways.

Transcript

thanks for joining us this afternoon uh so Laura the I believe the last time we met up was a few months ago at the White House actually and a lot has changed yeah um so you were you were working at the White House can you tell can you tell everyone a little bit about what you were doing there and then how that relates to the diversity in tech work ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Laura's work at the White House centered on workforce diversity and access to capital in tech.
• 🧑‍💻 Diversity in tech intersects with economic equity, social inequities, and political aspects.
• 👣 Companies like Pandora and Slack are making strides by tracking data and creating inclusive cultures.
• 🤕 Heads of diversity and unconscious bias training can be effective if given authority and followed by tangible policy changes.
• 🪡 Companies need to prioritize Allyship training and transparency in diversity reporting to foster inclusivity.
• 🧑‍💻 The movement for diversity in tech is ongoing and requires collaborative efforts to drive change.
• 🛟 Co 2040's focus on the US stems from specific historical contexts, but it could serve as a resource for similar organizations internationally.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Laura's work at the White House relate to diversity in tech?

Laura focused on workforce diversity and access to capital to create equity and representation in the tech sector, aligning with President Obama's priorities.

Q: Why is diversity in tech more than just a niche issue?

Tech plays a significant role in the economy, and excluding underrepresented groups widens economic equity gaps, impacting social and political aspects.

Q: Why is it crucial for startups to focus on diversity and inclusion from the beginning?

Tracking diversity data helps companies understand the state of affairs and make intentional changes, aligning with the principle that you make what you measure.

Q: How can individuals be better Allies in promoting diversity and inclusion?

Being a good Ally involves speaking up against bias, promoting inclusion, and undergoing training on Allyship to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace environment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Laura spent 6 months at the White House working on workforce diversity and access to capital.

• Diversity in tech intersects with economic equity, social issues, and political elements.

• Companies need to track diversity data, commit to change, and prioritize inclusion and Allyship training.