Charles Massaro’s Post

The tech industry has a diversity problem — in 2022, only 26% of STEM workers were women, an increase of just one percentage point since 2000. In 2021, Black and Latino workers made up only 16% of the workforce in STEM careers. Recently, two nonprofits dedicated to empowering women in STEM were forced to close despite having hundreds of thousands of members. Girls in Tech, Inc. crumbled after five major donors withdrew funding, and Women Who Code dissolved after a board vote, with an open letter from the company citing reduced funding sources. In an industry that thrives on innovation, failing to support diversity is a step backward. The ruthless attacks on DEI are taking their toll across industries, and now, more than ever, the fight for true inclusion in the workplace is critical. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how 2045 Studio can help ensure all employees feel empowered to succeed and drive meaningful change within your organization. Read more from The Washington Post: https://lnkd.in/gNHz8iyr

Today's Womens HERstory highlight is Lock 3, Program Manager Sally Sayles-Hannon, Ph.D.! Read a little about Sally below: Q.) Title/How Long have you worked with ERIE21? A.) 3 years Q.) What do you think is the biggest issue women in tech/industry are facing today?  A.) Equity and inclusivity, hands down. Women's overall workforce representation is double their representation in the technology industry. Tech "culture" has not shaken it's gender exclusivity, maternal/parental support must improve, and the gender pay gap (especially for women of color) continues to be a slowly dealt with inequity. Q.) What are your hopes for the future of STEM and gender diversity in the tech industry? A.) Ultimately, I want young girls/women to embark on STEM paths without hesitations. Being a parent/mother shouldn't be a choice one has to make over their careers--over their dreams and ambitions. Q.) What women inspire you and why? A.) Women inspire me everyday. The women I work with, the numerous compassionate and fearless female entrepreneurs/researchers/teachers/working mothers/stay-at-home mothers (big props!), and, ultimately, the unrelenting determination and persistence so many women exhibit in the midst of great adversity. Q.) What are you most proud of in your work with ERIE21?  A.) Being part of ERIE21's creation, scope, and impact. Our program's purpose is to not only impact the lives of the students NOW, but to create generational change--reverberations that create successful paths and opportunities well beyond the parameters of ERIE21's goals today. Q.)What do you like to do for fun? A.) I love the Great Lakes. As a Michigander (always at heart), the Great Lakes (especially Superior) are awe inspiring to me. As a New Yorker, though, I find music to be soothing and one of the second most community-building experiences (second to food!) we can participate in--live music brings me great joy. Q.) What do you feel is your greatest life achievement thus far? A.) Without hesitation my 2 children, Levi and Asher. They exhaust me a lot of the time, but they also keep me going, encourage me, and give me hope for the future. Q.) Tell us something fun and interesting about you? A.) I used to be quite a good clarinet player. I was the color guard and forensic team captain in high school. I've earned a Competent Toastmaster (CTM) Certificate. Q.) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? A.) Providing and creating equitable opportunities for diverse learners that work toward breaking down systemic barriers of inequality. Q.) If you could share any form of advice to the younger version of yourself, what would it be? A.) Having a plan is purposeful, but don't let it immobilize you. Stops, starts, and detours are important points along our journey that don't always make sense or seem fair at the time. Making it to our destination/goal is unfulfilling, however, if we get there at the sacrifice of living a good, meaningful, and healthy life.

I'm saying the part no one wants to out loud. 1. As of Nov. 6, when Norah O'Donnell steps aside, all mainstream news outlets will be anchored by men. 2. Today, a large PR firm announced its new (but not so new, white male) CEO. 3. The Whole Foods CEO shares his daily routine, allowing him to work out twice daily (assuming someone else cares for children and/or aging parents). Some of my strongest supporters, clients, and mentors are men. This post is not anti-men. It's pro-community. All these men might deserve precisely where they've gotten. As a GenX woman who learned the hard way, I can tell you this: women will only succeed if we help one another. Here's how: > Surround yourselves with diverse women you admire and respect and want to be like. > Refer business to one another. > Say their names in rooms where they aren't. > Introduce women to other women, particularly those who complement each other through diverse life experiences, skill sets, knowledge, and experience. > Read nonfiction books by women authors. > Mentor other women. > Share mistakes and what you've learned with other women. > Give back to organizations that support and lift diverse groups of girls. > If you see other women struggling, ask how you can help. > Model healthy alliances of diverse women for less experienced staff. > Vote for candidates that support women's issues. > Read and support research that supports women's leadership, growth, and trends. > Follow women reporters. > Share the content you love. Like, comment, repost (and tag) them. > Support women of all ages, races, and life experiences. > Applaud ALL women, praise them, lift their achievements high. Do it. Live it. Say it — out loud. For insight into leadership and growth, I recommend you follow: Amy Diehl, PhD Shelley Zalis Barbara Huson Cindy Gallop Deb Boulanger 💫 Jennifer Welsh #lovewhatyoudo #leadership #women #opportunity #diversity #growth #networking #influence #community

🚀 Spotlight on Lorna Martyn: Pioneering Pathways in Technology We're excited to share an insightful interview with Lorna Martyn, Ireland Regional Chair & Senior Vice President of Technology at Fidelity Investments, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for fostering diversity in the tech industry. With over 18 years at Fidelity Investments, Lorna has been a driving force in promoting inclusion and diversity, particularly advocating for greater female representation in technology. In this exclusive video, Lorna discusses the myriad pathways into technology careers, highlighting that success in tech doesn't solely depend on a background in higher maths or computer science. She underscores the importance of events that showcase women in technology, not just as learning opportunities but as crucial platforms for visibility and inspiration for the next generation. Lorna's personal journey, from learning to code in her early teens to leading a diverse team at Fidelity, is a testament to the transformative power of role models and advocates in STEM. As we navigate the future of technology, her insights remind us of the critical need to open doors for the next generation of talent. 👩💻 Watch the full interview to discover how Lorna Martyn and Fidelity Investments are shaping a more inclusive and innovative future in technology. Let's be inspired to act and support the growth of women in STEM. https://loom.ly/ejiUg2E #WomenInSTEM24 #TechnologyCareers #DiversityInTech #RoleModelsInSTEM #FidelityIreland

This is another great summation (with some more insights) of what we've been seeing for a few years. I'll be really interested to see how this all shakes out in the next several years. Who will be the decision-makers in 5, 10, 20 years? And how will today's actions from those in power shape the conversations we have regarding equity and fairness in the workplace as we see different generations take charge?

The attacks on DEI continue, laced with politics. However, study after study shows that companies with commitments to DEI, who hire more women are more successful and have higher retention rates. Their stock goes up, and they are financially successful as well. If that isn’t incentive enough, let’s remember what the E in DEI stands for. It stands for equity, which means making spaces equal for men and women. All we want is a seat at the table. ✌🏻💎✌🏻 That’s why so many women are making their own. https://lnkd.in/dfz9j_H2 #womenintech #diversityequityinclusion #womenempoweringwomen #wedothework #tuesdaythoughts

Women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM fields, with only a 1% increase in representation from 2000 to 2022. This stagnation highlights the need for continued efforts in education, development, mentorship, and promotion, especially for women of color. Now, more than ever, we must address the core issue: Women, especially women of color, are still significantly underrepresented in STEM careers. The politicization of DEI efforts has added to the challenge, but we cannot waver. It is crucial that we continue to educate, develop, mentor, and promote women in STEM fields. Corporate sponsors or not, we must continue our work. We must!

Every year, we celebrate incredible women shaping the future across various industries, but the numbers in tech paint a different story. Only 26.7% of tech jobs worldwide are held by women. Here's how we can all work together to increase these numbers. 🟪 Integrate engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs in schools, starting early on, to spark girls' interest in these fields. 🟪Showcase successful women in tech through workshops, talks, and mentorship programs. This provides young girls with relatable figures and inspiration. 🟪Foster a work environment free from bias and discrimination. Promote teamwork and collaboration, valuing different perspectives. 🟪 Offer flexible work schedules, childcare options, and parental leave policies to address practical challenges faced by women. Let's all pledge to implement these strategies and create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for women in every industry, not just tech. Let's #InspireInclusion and empower the next generation of women in tech! #women #iwd2024 #womeninbusiness #womenempowerment #inspireinclusion #breakingbarriers #tsd #womenintech #genderequality

ICYMI: TechPoint's Jaqui Fernandez highlights two women in tech who have impacted her. It's all part of #womenINtechweek. What women in tech have impacted you? Tag them!

Given technology’s outsized impact on shaping both our economy and our society, the inequity of women in tech puts us all at a disadvantage. As this year’s International Women’s Day theme of “Inspiring Inclusion” calls out, this goes beyond gender equity. It is also about encouraging diversity of ideas and perspectives by fostering a more inclusive environment for women in tech across the education and career pipelines. Now is the time to focus our attention on fostering digital literacy and tech skills among young women - a demographic historically underrepresented in the tech industry. This starts with creating more opportunities for women throughout their educational journey, from increasing inclusive STEM programming to connecting them with representative role models in the field. Improving women’s and girls’ access to education, accelerating their economic participation, and achieving gender parity in tech leadership is not only the right thing to do, but necessary to nurture the kind of innovation needed to propel growth and positively impact society as a whole. #IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay #InspireInclusion