PORTSMOUTH — Women In Technology: Belonging In Tech is the seventh annual networking event sponsored by Market Street Talent, Inc. with organizational psychologist Dr. Loretta L.C. Brady (Saint Anselm College, Director of Requity Labs).
Traditionally held in downtown Portsmouth, this year’s event will be Thursday, October 8 from 11AM to 1:00PM EST through the innovative live video meeting platform, Remo.
The event will begin with an encouraging opening address from Dr. Loretta L.C. Brady, (Saint Anselm College, Director of Requity Labs), about the possibilities women and other underrepresented technologists are embracing, particularly during this challenging year. Jill McFarland, General Manager at Bottomline Technologies, will close the event with a keynote address about the power of positioning oneself to be an impact hire, addressing the truth that hiring has slowed down during these times, but giving attendees hope and strategies they can implement to create opportunities.
Finding empowerment amidst today’s new and existing challenges
As pandemic adjustments have become longer term, and greater demands are placed on caregivers than ever before, many women are reporting changes in career and personal spheres. How can technology firms best support continued belonging in tech for their diverse workforce even as operational shifts increase demand?
“I have found that those who are underrepresented and underserved professionally are often the ones who others draw on for perspective in the face of crisis,” Loretta L.C. Brady, Director of Requity Labs at Saint Anselm College, provides. “This year, when Jennifer and I began planning the seventh annual Women in Technology event, we wanted to create space and dialogue around what women in the technology field were struggling with as they participated in the switch to remote work life. We were hearing about how rapid economic changes were affecting career trajectories, and this was true across age groups and came on so unexpectedly. I am so glad to have Jill McFarland speaking at this year’s event as her experience is consistent with some of the critical advice needed when navigating adversity.” Loretta L.C. Brady, Ph.D.
Throughout her career, keynote speaker Jill McFarland has worked in many different technology roles, including Manager, Director, Vice President and now General Manager. Says Ms. McFarland, “When living in what the world was a year ago, it was hard enough to navigate and balance professional, personal and community responsibilities. With the added complications this pandemic has brought, it’s become even more important and critical to understand how to adapt, how to speak up, how to take risks and how to trust oneself in the face of the unknown. As women, we need community, we need support, we need to make ourselves heard and constantly adapt to unforeseen circumstances. I am excited to share my experience and knowledge with woman in the technology field and grateful to be working with Jennifer Gray and Market Street Talent and the ever accomplished Dr. Loretta Brady.”
This year’s event will dive deeper into the specific challenges our community is experiencing in the face of the current reality. Jennifer Gray, President of the IT Staffing and Consulting firm Market Street Talent, affirms the seriousness of the adversity women often face as they move through the technology space. Says Ms. Gray, “Market Street Talent recognizes that this is a uniquely difficult time in which many individuals have been laid off unexpectedly or have begun to reevaluate their professional goals in light of changing economic circumstances. We are pleased to be able to adapt our annual WIT event to better meet the needs of the moment.”
The continued goal of the Women in Technology series is to build and grow a supportive community where all are comfortable sharing the triumphs and pitfalls of our experience, and to provide strategies for success despite extenuating circumstances.
To register for the event, visit https://wit2020belongingintech.splashthat.com. For more information, contact Market Street Talent at (603) 431-0070 or WIT@marketstreettalent.com.
