Salt Lake City-based Women Tech Council (WTC), a national organization focused on the economic impact of women in technology, is joining other key organizations to launch the Women Tech Talent Pipeline Alliance. The alliance will focus on programs that create activation into technology and STEM careers for women of color, moms and women returning to the workforce, refugees and immigrants.
“With the pandemic impacting women significantly more than men in the workforce, it has never been more important to focus on increasing the number of women in tech,” said Cydni Tetro, president of WTC. “By uniting these organizations to expand the talent pipeline and include more of these women, we will change the trajectories of their careers and families, strengthen our economy and increase the impact of women in tech at this critical time.”
The new alliance brings together WTC, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Code In Color, Latinas in Tech Utah, the Department of Workforce Services, United Way and RizeNext Tech-Moms. Together, these organizations will increase access to resources and opportunities and provide support through role models and mentors for more women, especially women of color and women returning to the workforce, said Tetro.” Ultimately, adding these women to the technology workforce will positively impact them and their families, provide tech companies needed talent and bolster the long-term health and growth of the economy,” she said.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting initiative to bring women in the technology workforce,” said Mary Cardon, director of the Utah Industry and Innovation Center at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “The alliance will help our state become stronger and more diverse and allow women and the companies they work for to reach their highest potential.”
“It’s imperative that the tech industry continue to make strides toward a more equitable and inclusive industry and I am pleased to take this important step toward change alongside Women Tech Council, Latinas In Tech Utah and other phenomenal organizations,” said Karen Rodriguez La Paz, founder and CEO of Code In Color. “By banding together, we will enter a new chapter of transformational growth, leadership and change and continue to bring education and financial wealth to the black and brown women who rightfully deserve a seat at the table.”
“At LiT, our mission is to connect, support and empower Latina women working in tech. This alliance with Women Tech Council, Code In Color, RizeNext Tech-Moms and other great organizations is going to help us bridge the gap and break the stigma of Latina women working in the tech ecosystem,” said Donnaly Crull, chair of the Latinas in Tech Utah Chapter.
“As part of our Department of Labor Apprenticeship State Expansion grant, Workforce Services seeks to diversify the candidate pool for apprentices in tech to include women, veterans and people of color. We believe that being part of this alliance and leveraging the efforts and resources of these great partners will help us to meet these diversity goals and will begin to change the landscape of what Utah’s tech workforce looks like, while meeting the demand of the business community,” said Melisa Stark, commissioner of apprenticeship programs.
