Beyond Diversity: Creating Inclusive Tech Workplaces

Tickets for this event are Pay What You Can (suggested donation is $5).

All proceeds will help support future TechinColour events. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Beyond Diversity: Creating Inclusive Tech Workplaces

This event will feature different perspectives on how to make tech workplaces more inclusive beyond just having a diverse team.

SPEAKERS/PANELISTS

Rachel Ho - Product Marketing at SAP

As a global product marketing manager for SAP Analytics, Rachel specializes in bringing to market the value of data-driven insights across all LoBs and industries. She founded Pride@SAP Canada 3 years ago and leads LGBTQ2+ initiatives out of Vancouver, BC, and is driven by celebrating intersectional strengths across technology, innovation and D&I.

Tara Robertson - Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Partner at Mozilla

Tara Robertson is an intersectional feminist who uses data and research to advocate for equality and inclusion. Currently working as the Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Partner for Mozilla, she has more than 10 years experience making open source and tech communities more diverse and welcoming. Her core values are social justice, collaboration and all things open–open source, open access and open education. Her curiosity and delight in connecting people come together in person and online, where she can often be found asking good questions. Tara has a Masters of Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia.

Nicole Tai - Product Manager at Apply Digital

Nicole is a Product Manager at Apply Digital and specializes in analyzing and building behaviours and positive emotional responses through a systems of boundaries and rewards, both digitally and in-person activations. She strives to amplify the voices of womxn and BiPOC folks through compassion, mentorship and building intimate community connections. She's previously hosted community initiatives with groups such as EastVanLove and SheSays Vancouver.

MODERATOR:

Aheri Stanford-Asiyo - Software Engineer at Experience Studio North (Microsoft)

Aheri is a Software Engineer at Microsoft working to create next-generation holographic computing solutions for the workplace. She is currently working on a new app called Microsoft Dynamics 365 Guides that translates training manuals into holographic experiences for HoloLens. Prior to joining Microsoft’s Mixed Reality team, she served as a Senior JavaScript Engineer at the Accenture Liquid Studio, a rapid-prototyping facility in Silicon Valley. Aheri previously served as the Chief of Mission Control Security at the National Reconnaissance Office where she oversaw protection of sensitive global satellite operations. She is passionate about empowerment through technology and technology education and served as Lead JavaScript Instructor at Telegraph Prep where she assisted students of color prepare for entry into highly competitive software engineering bootcamps.

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Event Schedule

• 6:00PM - 6:30PM Doors Open & Registration
• 6:30PM - 6:45PM Land Acknowledgement & Welcome Remarks
• 6:45PM - 7:00PM Panelists Introduction
• 7:00PM - 7:45PM Moderated Panel Discussion
• 7:45PM - 8:15PM Audience Question & Answer
• 8:15PM - 8:30PM Closing Remarks

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Accessibility

• Gender neutral washrooms
• Wheelchair accessible washrooms available
• Wheelchair ramp access to building and elevators
• 2 ASL interpreter confirmed - Please send us an email if you require ASL interpretation to reserve seats for you.

Food

• Food provided by Tayybeh

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About TechInColour

TechInColour is a tech community hub that aims to empower and create spaces for, and centering, Black, Indigenous and people of colour. (BIPoC) We use inclusive organizing strategies and tailored event programming to create and cultivate spaces where people of colour in the tech industry are visible and/or centered.

Our Values:

This event aims to inspire all Black, Indigenous and people of colour interested in tech or already working in tech industries. TechInColour seeks to:

• create a space where BIPoC can meet people with similar experiences, build relationships and support each other's work
• empower BIPoC by providing them the resources and support they need to become successful in their professional careers
• increase the presence and visibility of BIPoC within the tech industry, tech companies and tech communities

This event is open to everyone - this is a BIPoC-centered event, which means we try to invite and listen to voices from the BIPoC community that aren’t heard as often.

We welcome BIPoC-identified people, their friends and peers, HR personnel, recruiters and managers to attend our events.

If you’re concerned about your attendance our recommendation is to invite a couple of BIPoC-identified colleagues who might find our event valuable to their careers.

If you have any questions please send hellotechincolour(at)gmail(dot)com an email.

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Thank you to our venue sponsor:

Thanks to ICC for helping TechinColour launch these events: