North Idaho Alliance: Women of IMPACT, T is for Technology
Marilee Wallace
Let’s be real — I’ve surrendered to the tech takeover. From AI to those sneaky midnight iPhone updates, to my never-ending password chain updates, change is constant when it comes to technology. But honestly, I bet if women were in charge, we’d sprinkle some gentleness and grace into the mix.
According to Forbes, gender equality is still playing hard to get in the corporate jungle, leaving women woefully underrepresented. Even though studies show companies with more women in the C-suite rake in the profits, the gender gap is still alive and kicking! Diversity and inclusion can’t just be a one-and-done deal; they need TLC and continuous effort like a well-watered garden.
With tech booming faster than a kid on a sugar rush, the entire world is moving faster than ever. There literally are more computer science jobs than graduates to fill them, and if we don’t act fast, the number of women in tech is set to plummet in the next decade. This isn’t just a hiccup; it’s a looming economic crisis!
The tech playground is still dominated by men, thanks to a shortage of female mentors, gender inequality in STEM, and the lack of hands-on experience in tech. We need to roll out the red carpet for young women to enter this field, and big tech companies are onto this. They’ve discovered that diversity equals dollar signs. Women’s unique perspectives can spice up product development like a secret ingredient, especially when it comes to AI. Women comprise only 22% of AI talent globally, with even lower representation at senior levels — occupying less than 14% of senior executive roles in AI.
To spark innovation, we need to reel in young women with more mentors, more women leaders, and educational programs designed just for them. Let’s rally our local, state and national politicians to make tech education affordable for young women so we can leap ahead of the competition and reclaim our tech crown!
The Women of Impact Leadership Roundtable had a fiery discussion on this sizzling topic of technology in February. Next up in our Roundtable discussion we land on “E” in IMPACTED for Education where we learn about the cool ladies in our community offering new and unique opportunities in educating our youth in the region.
NIA, The Women of Impact Leadership Roundtable meets once a month for a nine-month series, and we base our monthly agenda on the word IMPACTED. Next month “E” for Education. Please save the date for the Annual Onward & Upward Women’s Conference on May 16. This years’ theme: The “IN”fluence of Leadership. Speaker lineups and ticket information found at www.nia-impact.com.
Forbes credit by Elaine Montillas.
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Marilee Wallace, IOM, president/CEO of the North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact. The Women of Impact Leadership Roundtable meets once a month for a nine-month series, and we base our monthly agenda on the word IMPACTED. She can be reached at marilee@theniallaince.com.
