PORTSMOUTH — The sixth annual “Women In Technology” event Oct. 15 will highlight strategies individuals and organizations can use to “see past bias” in setting goals and hiring talent. GYKAntler Technology and Innovation Director Leslie Pascual Witham will keynote the event, which will feature engaging activities facilitated by organizational psychologist Dr. Loretta LC Brady.
The free networking event sponsored by Market Street Talent, BDS Insight and Diversity Workforce Coalition will be held at 3S Artspace from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Implicit bias is a topic many technology firms are paying attention to as they seek talent and change in their organizational cultures. Women and minorities in technology often encounter subtle biases when entering and growing in their technology careers and moving up requires not only overcoming others’ biases but confronting one’s own.
Harvard Business Review identified recently that implicit biases can and do change within a culture over time, but that change is not always positive, immediate or durable for every area of social judgment. These findings highlight how critical regular examination and continuous improvement on reducing biases is for organizational success.
Jennifer Gray, president of technology recruitment firm Market Street Talent, affirmed the seriousness with which technology firms are taking these findings.
“We work hard to recruit with a wide net while fulfilling the specific skill needs our clients require,” she said. “Oftentimes, this includes educating our clients on the importance of efforts to attract and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce. In this highly competitive job market, candidates are looking to align with companies whose values align with their own, and seeing past bias is a key component.”
The nonprofit Diversity Workforce Coalition is focused on helping its members create and sustain inclusive and diverse workplaces through programs and training.
“For many years we have been working to educate our membership on the impact of bias in their organizations and we know one of the best ways to confront bias is to present topics and people who challenge our notions of what is possible,” DWC Chair Tina Sharby said.
Experts agree implicit biases negatively affect the organizational environment of every industry yet often their subtlety makes it difficult to identify opportunities for change. The event will feature informal opportunities for learning and inspiration for further engagement.
For more information, call Market Street Talent at (603) 431-0070 or email WIT@marketstreettalent.com.
