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TechWomen

March Newsletter – TechWomen Membership Drive: Have you joined yet?

Hi readers,

You can help TechWomen raise funds for free!

All it takes is two minutes to officially join TechWomen and if you work for one of the 800 NZTech Alliance companies, NZTech will move $99 from your corporate membership into the TechWomen fund. We encourage as many people as possible from each company to join. Every person = $99!

Just because you have received this newsletter l it does not mean you are officially a member, so please fill out the ‘join us’ form just in case.

If you don’t work for a NZTech Alliance company, you can still help by signing up as an individual and contributing $99 directly.

What you will be helping us to deliver;

  • ShadowTech – We don’t have enough corporate sponsorship to run this event without your help. We’re expanding to Gisborne for the first time this year!  
  • Mentoring Circles – Phase 2 of the pilot is coming to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin in 2019
  • “The Great Debate” Event series – Fun debate style events where you will hear from men and women on both sides of some of the biggest diversity topics
  • Additional activities if we can secure major sponsors. Please get in touch if you want to know more about Corporate Sponsorship opportunities.

Our goals are to increase the percentage of women in the New Zealand tech industry and to improve the inclusiveness of the sector, ensuring women are heard and valued within their organization and the wider industry. See our latest media release ‘NZ closing the gender gap but tech sector lagging behind’ looking at where we rank globally. We would love your support in our initiatives, regardless of your gender. In fact you can check out my latest blog on why including men in our diversity initiatives is so important.

Most of the TechWomen initiatives are achieved by volunteers in their own time, but we need financial support  to cover expenses. We appreciate every person who signs up and helps us on these important projects!

Thank you,

Eva Sherwood
Chair
TechWomen



Features

Big tech companies talk best practices for more diverse and inclusive workplaces at #MoveTheDial

In Toronto senior executives from several major tech companies spoke about the importance of how allyship, including everyone in the conversation, and outlining values can help move the dial for more women and people of colour to be included in the tech workforce.

Read how ‘diversity initiatives are changing the corporate landscape‘ by using the Tahuna te Ahi D&I strategy introduced by SKYCITY Entertainment as an example. This strategy focuses on women, Māori, Pacific and Asian future leaders, with the group wide policy stating that ‘each year SKYCITY’s Board of Directors will set measurable objectives to promote diversity, including gender diversity and inclusion.’

What you need to know about inclusive leadership this article features Ian Rand, chief executive officer of business banking and chairman of the diversity and inclusion council of Barclays PLC. It discusses the impact of the strong women around him and his inclusive leadership style which involves learning from difficult conversation, having open conversations and attending formal coaching courses.

Read why focusing on the bottom line is dangerous and counterproductive. Here’s the real business case for diversity, Why diversity is good for your business.

Summer of Tech connects smart IT students with innovative ICT companies. Registrations for their full time paid internships open in March 2019.

The UK tech industry gender balance is expected to last another 12.5 years. Read the report ‘How the tech industry can bring hidden female talent to the fore‘ from UK IT job board CWJobs.


RESOURCES & EVENTS

Attend International Women’s Day 2019 in association with PWC, taking place 6 March Auckland, 7 March Christchurch, 8 March Wellington.

The International Women’s Day Breakfast 2019 takes place 8 March in Parliament, hosted by The Hon Julie Anne Genter Minister for Women.

Register for Women in Data Science 9 March, Wellington. ALL GENDERS are welcome to attend. Speakers include Liz MacPhersonVidette McGregorAgate Ponder-SuttonDame Diane RobertsonAmanda HughesKylie ReiriErnestynne WalshEmma VitzLouise BarberKari JonesNasca PengKathryn HempstalkKat Greenbrook and more…

Join the International Women’s Day High Tea in Napier, 8 March at Ormie Lodge.

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Microsoft NZ 8 March, Auckland.

Register for Imposter Syndrome: Navigating fear & self-doubt, 5 March Auckland26 March Wellington.

Support Shadowtech 2019 contact Eva Sherwood to find out more about corporate sponsorship opportunities and how your company can help make a difference to young women in tech. Visit Shadowtech to find out more about this great initiative.

World changing ideas start in New Zealand! Meet the UpStarters and learn more about New Zealand’s tech and innovation story.

Attend ‘How we can achieve diversity in the technology sector’ 13 June Wellington, 20 June Auckland, 26 June Christchurch.

Join the Kapati Coast Chamber of Commerce IWD 2019 Lunch #BalanceforBetter 8 March, Paraparaumu.

Attend Xero Learn – Bridging the Gap – Education to Employability 18 March, Auckland.

Be part of Techweek19, 20-26 May nationwide. Plan your own event to inspire the sector and build expertise. If you would like to be involved event submissions are open now.

Callaghan Innovation launches Scale-Up New Zealand, a free online platform with verified information on New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem.

Attend the seminar The changing face of Government Procurement run by BusinessNZ taking place on 8 April Auckland, 9 April Wellington. Places are limited to 100 people.

TechWomen TechWomen is a group of passionate New Zealand tech, digital and ICT focused individuals from leading organisations that work together, with the support of NZTech, to help address the shortage of women in tech roles.