Updated Jan. 15, 3:05 p.m. EST: We just had a great Twitter chat on the careers of women in IT and technology, with participants creating a great conversation and sharing a lot of insights. Thanks again to our Twitter chat guest experts, Fariba Anderson and Shann McGrail. Read on for the recap!
At CDN, we are always interested in the careers, achievements and dialogue with women in IT . On Aug. 21, 2014 we hosted our fourth annual Recognition Luncheon attended by over 110 female IT executives. With this Twitter chat, we’d like to continue the conversation on women seeking and rising through their careers.
Joining us as guest experts are Fariba Anderson, CEO of Acutenet and Shann McGrail, a Board Member of Women in Communications and Technology. Both have 20+ years in technology leadership and we are thrilled to have them!
 Fariba Anderson |  Shann McGrail | |
Q1: Why are women crucial to technology?
#womeninIT A1:diversity=better results, new products & services as a starting point. — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A1.Women bring a different perspective and are more comfortable to disagree and have their views challenged. #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
Design emphasis and usability for one. Do u really think drone bracelets should be so masculine? (LOL) #womeninIT — fawnannan (@fawnannan) January 15, 2015
Q2: How do women put a fresh spin on IT/Technology?
A2: #WomeninIT different perspective means solving different problems which creates more opportunity for everyone. — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
I often find women place greater emphasis on the utility of software design as opposed to gadgets or cool features. #WomeninIT — Jim Love (@CIOJimLove) January 15, 2015
Q3: How can employers empower women pursuing IT careers?
#WomeninIT A3: first acknowledge they want to do it and build a plan to attract, develop & retain — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A3. Create a space for conversation where all can VOICE their views regardless of gender #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
@AhmedHibah #womeninIT input from both genders, review systems (job descriptions, recruiting) look for problem areas with unintended bias. — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A manager or mentor must help an employee gain confidence in the environment. This is a failure of leadership if its not done #womeninIT — fawnannan (@fawnannan) January 15, 2015
Q4: What do women need to do to enable themselves to succeed in IT?
A4. Women need to learn a few lessons from men and stop requiring affirmation. We are brilliant and we should know it by now #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
Setting up good mentorship is a great way for both women and men to succeed in their careers #womeninIT — Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) January 15, 2015
Q5: What will it take to see more women in IT leadership/executive positions?
A5. Women taking chances and create their own opportunities. #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
#womeninIT A5: aggressive pursuit of change. I think moving beyond mentorship to career sponsorship also critical. — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A5. Older experienced women lending a hand to younger in experienced women and sponsoring them. Men should to. #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
Q6: What will it take to establish a work environment where gender is a non-issue?
#womeninIT A6: a continued focus on results, achievement and creativity. — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A6. Changing the conversation from gender issues to business issues. #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
#womeninIT A6: closing wage gap as @brianjjackson notes is a good start. Systems need to be fair, women need to state their value — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
Q7: What progress have you seen for women in technology over the years?
I have seen an increase in female CIOs in the FP500, with two female CIOs taking the CIO of the Year Award in 2014 #womeninIT — fawnannan (@fawnannan) January 15, 2015
A7. Significant. I am a women CEO for technology start up that even 5 years ago was a stretch. #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
A7. ITWC is an example of progress we made and this tweet is the acid test. We are on our way baby with many men supporting us #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
#womeninIT A7: I think convergence of technology helps -has brought more women into tech and more opportunities for different businesses — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A7. Orgs like @learningcode are creating environments where women feel comfortable learning and pursuing tech #WomeninIT
— Lean In Canada (@LeanInCanada) January 15, 2015
.@LeanInCanada @learningcode @DMGToronto is a similar initiative #womeninIT — Dave Yin (@yindavid) January 15, 2015
Q8: Are there IT fields like the Channel that women are less aware of, and why should they consider work in these areas?
#womeninIT A8: I'm still surprised how many women don't think about enterprise sales - great to use communication & problem solving skills — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
#WomeninIT A8: benefits careers growth, flexibility and being paid well for those efforts. opportunity to make an impact.
— shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
Q9: How can we help women achieve visibility within the IT community?
A9. Blow women horns. Buy from Women. Work for Women. #WomeninIT — Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
#WomeninIT A9: continue to highlight great role models and the companies that support them
— shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
#womeninIT A9: to earlier points - promoting career options that may be less understood is another way to help attract women to industry — shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
A9. Recognize women leadership at every level. Focus on what we have achieved. Ophra said it best what we focus expands. #WomeninIT
— Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015
Q10: What else could CDN do to empower Canadian women in IT this year?
A10: Connect #WomenInIT with University/College women trying to enter IT. Mentor the upcoming generation.
— Mat Pancha (@mpancha) January 15, 2015
#womeninIT @mpancha agree - connection across all stages of career from education to executive.
— shannm (@shannm) January 15, 2015
.@yindavid we want women, men and companies to pursue the business opportunities in gender inclusiveness. Better orgs & society #WomeninIT — Lean In Canada (@LeanInCanada) January 15, 2015
A10. Let's have the next chat be about the great work we are doing to promote women leadership. Challenge for great approaches #WomeninIT
— Fariba Anderson (@AndersonFariba) January 15, 2015