#TechDiversity

We are delighted to recommend the following event taking place this week - shared by STEM Sisters - it can be accessed both virtually and in person - it will feature live product demonstrations from companies and developers focused on creating tech solutions that address the needs of marginalised or underrepresented communities. *Inclusive Tech: Designing for a Diverse Future [Virtual] https://lnkd.in/gmga5cKH *Inclusive Tech: Designing for a Diverse Future [In-person] https://lnkd.in/g8uJw3TN Interested exhibitors can reach out directly at Dr Ruwangi Fernando - fernando@stemsisters.org.au or contact me at 0451951066 for more information.

This is a tough article to read/share - Mishandled DEI fuels resentment: ‘It’s a leadership crisis’ As we gear up for the 2025 TechDiversity Awards—a celebration of the strides made in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—it's crucial to reflect on both the successes and the challenges. The quote in the article rings true today: “It’s 2024. Can we stop labelling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as an HR initiative? It’s a leadership accountability. And let’s be honest – most business leaders are botching it.” This powerful statement emphasises that DEI extends beyond human resources; it is a fundamental aspect of leadership. In the spirit of the upcoming awards, it's important to acknowledge that DEI involves complex human elements, and not every initiative will be perfect. As we recognise achievements, we also remain vigilant about where organisations falter. This dual perspective ensures that our celebration is grounded in the reality of ongoing work and the continuous need for improvement and accountability in DEI practices. This holistic approach not only honors successes but also propels the conversation forward, ensuring that DEI remains a central component of organisational leadership. https://lnkd.in/gRg8_5PS

⚡️TechDiversity is gearing up for some co-partner activity with BeerOps, where we will attend Australia's largest tech networking event, with Commonwealth Bank as the Diamond Sponsor. We're excited to interact with the vast number of attendees and promote the Tech Reflects Study, aimed at building a tech workforce that truly represents society. ✨ Visit our table in Sydney or Melbourne, participate in the study, and grab a sticker as a token of appreciation. We'll also share insights from the study, including perspectives on how DEI initiatives contribute to growth, innovation, and well-being in the tech sector. ⚡️ Don't miss out! Check out the event details for Melbourne and Sydney. 🧡 Thanks Stephen Wallace ❤️🔥 And here are the team that you can meet at our table: Soozey Johnstone Stacey Hutchinson Michael Walmsley  Abu Odigie Charlotte Lloyd Eve Skinner Lucinda Kolitsis or Jim Kolitsis Martin Ji Tamara Joyner

🤖 Help make Safe AI easy We are delighted to share this survey that came in via our TechDiversity partner TDC Global. We know Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great promise for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). But we also know business owners are wary of AI risks and lack the confidence and knowledge to manage them. Enter SAAM – a set of simple online tools and practical resources to help Australian SMEs access the benefits of AI while minimising exposure to risks. SAAM is one of four AI Adopt centres funded by the Commonwealth Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources. As part of the SAAM project, the University of Technology Sydney is doing a short survey to better understand how SMEs are adopting AI, and the challenges they face. Your insights will help build the resources you need to adopt AI safely and responsibly. All survey responses are anonymous. The survey is available at https://lnkd.in/gd6-bks4 Visit saam.com.au to learn more.

💜 Thank you to our Partner Westpac for the opportunity to participate in the inspiring #RaiseYourHand event, a collaboration with Infosys, an event dedicated to fostering #Diversity, #Equity, and #Inclusion (DEI) across workplaces and communities. We were thrilled to have our Executive Director, Luli Adeyemo, join the panel to discuss key insights from TechDiversity’s Tech Reflects study. This event served as an impactful platform to address the importance of intentional DEI efforts in the tech industry. Luli and the panel shared perspectives on expanding talent pipelines beyond traditional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) roles to drive innovation and fill critical skill gaps. The panel also explored AI's role in DEI—highlighting the need for diverse voices in AI development to avoid reinforcing biases. We are grateful to Westpac and Infosys for supporting conversations that drive real change. At TechDiversity, we are committed to working alongside our partners to advocate for a more inclusive and representative future in tech. Read more about the event, click the link below. 👇🏽 Please reach out to us for partnership opportunities and of course sponsorship of our TechDiversity Awards where we will be celebrating its 10th year! #upstander #westpac #raiseyourhand #infosys Scott Collary Miranda Ratajski Alana M. Muneera Bano Sanjeev Tripathi Melissa Doyle AM Jess Freer Archana Kapadnis David Walker Jess Magro Lalitha Biddulph Pieter Vorster Ankur Chandra Kristina Bennett, BSc, MBA (she/her) Luli Adeyemo Shanthi Pathmanathan

Spotlight on Accessibility Innovation: See Me Please We're excited to share the inspiring work of See Me Please, a Sydney-based startup that is paving the way for greater inclusion in the tech sector by ensuring digital services are accessible to all. See Me Please is a two-sided marketplace that connects individuals with disabilities—including those who are visually or hearing impaired, neurodivergent, elderly, non-English speaking, and physically disabled—with businesses looking to improve the accessibility of their digital offerings. What sets See Me Please apart is its commitment to fair pay, guaranteeing participants double the minimum wage for accessibility reviews. This approach not only values the expertise of people with disabilities but also drives change by ensuring digital services are built for everyone. Their innovative model earned them a finalist spot in the InnovationAus.com 2024 Awards for Excellence in the Software Innovation category, and they’ve been recognised with a $30,000 social impact grant from the ACT government. For those of us in the TechDiversity community, See Me Please represents a powerful example of how technology can be a force for inclusion. It challenges the status quo, offering both fair employment opportunities for people with disabilities and practical solutions for businesses to improve accessibility. Let's celebrate their success and consider how we, too, can integrate accessibility and diversity into the heart of what we do! And we would love to see more organisations like See Me First be part of the @TechDiversity Awards 2025. - https://lnkd.in/gqeHSyrt #accessibility #seemeplease

'Progress is not parity' McKinsey & Company new report - The Women in the Workplace 2024 report, marking its 10th anniversary, highlights both progress and stagnation in gender equality at work. Women’s representation has increased, especially in leadership, but remains fragile, particularly for women of color. Key barriers include: + the "broken rung" of first promotions to management, + limited progress in debiasing hiring, + and persistent microaggressions. The report emphasises the need for companies to continue committing to equity, particularly through managerial accountability and more robust DEI programs to address these enduring challenges. 🚀 How can we break barriers for women in tech? Studies like this and our Tech Reflect study reveal gaps and we need to keep studies like this going - we are calling for systemic change. We’re leveraging data from our study to drive tailored DEI initiatives, advocating for greater accountability in tech workforce hiring and retention practices. Together, we can ensure equitable opportunities and make tech a truly inclusive space. Learn more about our efforts: https://lnkd.in/gFKJGQ4w in partnership with Diversity Atlas Women in the Workplace 2024 report | McKinsey - https://lnkd.in/g-sfU4Xd

#TechDiversity has been invited to SXSW Sydney this year, Luli Adeyemo will be there as a mentor representing us as well as all our delivery partners and supporters. Good Luck Luli!

AI has the potential to help bridge the talent gap in critical technologies—but how can we ensure this shift is inclusive and equitable? As AI reshapes industries, the need for diverse perspectives in tech has never been more critical. We can’t fully embrace this technology without addressing who is building it. That’s why initiatives like TechDiversity’s Tech Reflects study are so important right now. This research aims to give us a clear picture of who we are as a tech workforce today and, more importantly, where we need to be to support an AI-driven future—one that fully embraces #DEI. Only by understanding our current workforce can we take steps to ensure that AI innovation benefits everyone, regardless of gender, race, ability, age, or socioeconomic background. Tech isn’t just about advancing technology; it’s about advancing people. Let’s use this moment to build a more inclusive future for all. Contribute to the study if you work in a tech workforce, from coders to marketing to business leaders we need your input - Start now - https://lnkd.in/g8dy8jyt #TechDiversity #DEIinTech #AIandDEI #TechReflects #FutureOfWork #InclusiveInnovation Would love to hear your thoughts on how we can foster a more diverse tech workforce! 👇

We at TechDiversity are thrilled to celebrate a monumental step forward for the LGBTQA+ community in South Australia. The recent ban on conversion practices by the South Australian parliament is a landmark victory, underscoring the importance of safeguarding individuals from harmful practices that seek to change or suppress one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 👏 This legislative advancement not only criminalises these damaging practices but also offers crucial redress for survivors through civil pathways and strengthens community education, thanks to the efforts of survivor advocates and organizations like SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA) and Equality Australia. 💡 Why This Matters: Protecting our community means ensuring a safe and supportive environment where everyone can thrive without fear of coercion or harm. At TechDiversity, we stand with all who advocate for a more inclusive society where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. 📢 We're committed to promoting diversity and inclusion across all sectors and applaud South Australia's move to join other states like Victoria, ACT, and NSW in this vital cause. Every step like this brings us closer to a world where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can feel secure and valued. Let's use this momentum to inspire further change. Join us in advocating for continuous improvement and support for diversity and inclusion initiatives across all communities. #TechDiversity #Equality #Inclusion #LGBTQASupport #DiversityInTech