The current state of technology leaves a lot of people out - of innovation, education, the workforce, wealth and opportunity. This interactive workshop explores the current state for women and underrepresented minorities in tech, then delves into what each of us can do about it. This workshop was given at Tech.co's Celebrate Tech Conference, and adapted from a talk I initially gave at AlterConf.

1. A Diverse &
Inclusive Tech
World
Melinda Briana Epler, Founder & CEO
melinda@changecatalyst.co
@mbrianaepler

2. Founder & CEO, Change Catalyst
Co-Founder, Tech Inclusion
Bay Area Women’s Initiatives Chair,
National Diversity Council
Melinda Briana Epler | @mbrianaepler

3. 1. Current State
2. Quick Personal Brainstorm
3. Breakout Groups
4. Share Out
Agenda

4. The Current State for Women in Tech | Computer Science

5. The Current State for Women in Tech | Computer Science
1984

6. 97%
2.7% women-led
In 1999 10%
Women
VC Partners
The Current State for Women in Tech | Entrepreneurs
Venture backed
companies

7. 97%
2.7% women-led
In 1999 10%
In 2013 6%
Women
VC Partners
The Current State for Women in Tech | Entrepreneurs
Venture backed
companies

8. Women are 51% of the US Population
37% of entrepreneurs are women
VC-backed women earn 12% higher revenues
The Current State for Women in Tech

9. Current State for Underrepresented Minorities | Computer Science
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Computer Science degrees earned 1993-2012

10. Current State | Employment
They aren’t being employed.

11. Current State | Employment

12. 11% of the US population is Black
16% of the US population is Latino
1% VC-backed founders are Black
1% VC-backed founders are Latino
The Current State | Underrepresented Minorities

13. The Current State | Scientists & Engineers w/ Disability
2010

14. Women African-American/Black
Latino
Veterans
LGBTQA Physical/Mental Ability
35+ years old
Others (location, education,..)
Who is Underrepresented?

15. So What’s Happening?

16. The Tech Ecosystem
We lose people all along this path.

17. “Death by 1000 Paper cuts” – Megan Smith, White House CTO

18. What is Diversity?
What is Inclusion?

19. What is Diversity?
What is Inclusion?
Diversity is about bringing people to the table.
Inclusion is about inviting them to speak.
And to lead.

20. Why? Social and economic justice.

21. Why? Social and economic justice.
Minorities are projected
to become a majority
of the U.S. population by 2043

22. Why? Economic Benefits.

23. Why? Economic Benefits.

24. Why? Life or Death.

25. …Or just deprive people of their voice.

26. So what do we do about it?

27. Where are you in The Tech Ecosystem?
We lose people all along this path.

28. Biases. | We ALL have them. What do we do with them?
Go beyond your intuition
Exercise your empathy muscle
Create processes to counter them
Use data to check yourself & aim higher
Overcome your biases toward yourself

29. 1. Go beyond your intuition

30. 1. Go beyond your intuition
❍ Intuition > Wait a beat to reflect > React
❍ Embrace and confront your discomfort
❍ Broaden your network circle
❍ Celebrate and reward unique viewpoints

31. 2. Exercise your empathy muscle

32. 2. Exercise your empathy muscle
▶ Recognize when people feel like an outsider
▶ Invite others to speak and lead
▶ Mentor & sponsor
▶ Find the commonalities
(we’re 99.99999999…% the same!!)

33. 3. Create processes to counter biases

34. 3. Create processes to counter biases
ü Do I typically hire the same type of person?
ü When I say a candidate is not the right fit, what do I mean?
ü What does my slate of candidates look like? Do I speak up if
it is not sufficiently diverse?
ü Who do I like to assign to work to—and lead—project teams?
Do I have the same go-to people all or most of the time?
ü Who do I take to important client or cross-team meetings?
ü Who do I encourage to lead or speak out at meetings? Am I
creating opportunities for those less extroverted to
demonstrate their capabilities?
ü How do I identify candidates for promotion and succession?

35. 4. Use data to check yourself and to aim higher

36. 5. Overcome your biases about yourself

37. 5. Overcome your biases about yourself
✶ Imposter Syndrome
✶ Anxiety
✶ Get over what everyone said throughout your life
and be the person you want to be

38. Where are you in The Tech Ecosystem?
We lose people all along this path.

39. Whether an ally or an underrepresented entrepreneur,
You can make a difference.

40. Personal Reflection: What change do you want to see?

41. Group Session: Create a Path for Change

42. Group Session: Create a Path for Change
Barriers
Stakeholders
Measurable
Progress
Vision

43. Share out

44. Thank You
Melinda Briana Epler, CEO & Founder
melinda@changecatalyst.co
Changecatalyst.co