On Tuesday, women and men around the world will celebrate “the first computer programmer,” Ada Lovelace—the British mathematician known for her pioneering work in technology in the nineteenth century.
In her honor, Ada Lovelace Day celebrates women breaking new ground across the male-dominated STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), industries in which female leaders are often overlooked and have even been written out of history.
This year Forbes is proud to mark Ada Lovelace Day by announcing its debut Top Women In Tech list. This shines a light on 50 incredible women from across Europe who are putting technology at the heart of their rising businesses. It will be followed by lists honoring female tech leaders in the U.S and the world.
There are many reasons for the disproportionate number of female tech founders today, ranging from how STEM education has been presented in schools, to how some work environments have proven hostile to women and the fact that there is a lack of female decision makers within VC firms. Yet, as consulting firm McKinsey has repeatedly confirmed, gender-diverse teams outperform their all-male peers and have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line.
By: Kitty Knowles
Source: Forbes
A lack of focus on DEI also — perhaps self-evidently — has a clear impact on organizational equity, as fewer companies prioritize work that dismantles structural biases. However, Elliott points out that many companies that distance themselves from DEI now may never have been truly invested in their goals.
CEO Jim Farley sent a memo to all employees early Wednesday outlining the changes, including a decision to stop taking part in external culture surveys and an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees.
Language matters. If DEI is the right acronym for your organization, don’t let the naysayers force you to pivot. If people understand what it means, why it matters and how the organization is using DEI to create a competitive sustainable advantage, it is likely a long-term fit.
