WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY – AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE

Authored by Dell EMC India

Did you know that the first person to publish an algorithm was a woman? Yes, she was Ada Lovelace, who first recognised that machine had applications beyond pure calculation. Moving fast forward to the present times, women today are breaking the bounds in every industry and are reaching impressive heights. So, why should IT be any different? Women in IT are redefining the roles that were once infused by only male population. They are strategizing, innovating, leading the digital future along with their male counterparts.

Fostering this uprising, Dell Technologies has been working on creating a culture that upskills, re-skills, mentors, women to support women empowerment. And a perfect example of this was reflected recently at the Connected CIO event at Dell Technologies Forum 2019, Mumbai, India. 

At the event, 30 female technology students from underprivileged background were invited, where they got an opportunity to navigate their future. They got an exposure to some personal learnings and inspiration from Dell leaders and women leaders in technology.

Girl Technologists in the Making.

A session by Karinne Brannigan, Senior Vice President, APJ Marketing, Dell Technologies; Rudramuni B, Vice President and Head of Dell EMC's R&D center, Bangalore; Kirti Patil, Executive Vice, President & CTO, Kotak Life Insurance; and Srikripa Srinivasan, Vice President, Business Intelligence, Dell Technologies 

“Young women today, who strive to become technologists of the future, are very lucky to be in an age where technologies have really matured”   – Karinne Brannigan, Senior VP, APJ Marketing,  Dell Technologies

The event saw a panel focused on skilling and re-skilling women in technology. This session brought an extensive discussion on the opportunities that Dell Technologies is bringing forth, in order to empower tech enthusiast women and help them redefine their roles in the IT realms.

Women in Technology: Skilling & Re-Skilling to build a Diverse Workforce

Panellists [L to R]: Karinne Brannigan, Senior Vice President, APJ Marketing, Dell Technologies; Rudramuni B, Vice President and Head of Dell EMC's R&D Center, Bangalore; Kirti Patil, Executive Vice President & CTO, Kotak Life Insurance; Shradha Sharma, Founder and Chief Editor, YourStory; and Meenakshi Vajpayee, Executive Vice President, Technology, Strategy & Architecture at Vodafone


Emphasising on the challenges faced by the women workforce, the panel highlighted that the major bottlenecks to change are lack of mentors, gender bias, unequal growth opportunities and unequal pay. Organizations that focus on eradicating these bottlenecks are the once that hold greater chances to thrive in the digital future, where talent sees no confines.

The discussion also underscored the cruciality of skilling and re-skilling women; and helping men realize the importance of creating an environment for everyone to prosper, all the while establishing a stronger and diverse workforce.

“There should be a shift from strategic leadership to conscious leadership helps to uplift the women workforce.”  -- Shradha Sharma, Founder and Chief Editor, YourStory

This session on women in technology also stressed that when women are encouraged to achieve their full economic potential, they would be able to uplift the global economy.

“Rather than differentiating skills, we need to encourage women by stating that they need to develop the skills that their male colleagues are deploying.”   -- Meenakshi Vajpai, Executive Vice President, Technology, Strategy & Architecture, Vodafone

As stated by Rudramuni B, Vice President and Head of Dell EMC's R&D centre, Bangalore, Dell EMC provides various programs to empower women. One of the key components of Dell’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy is the MARC (Many Advocating Real Change), which is an initiative for leaders committed to achieving equality in the workplace. Extending support and nurturing a community of female entrepreneurs, Dell Technologies is surging human potential, regardless of gender – with this the organization is not only creating opportunities for women but is also creating channels to enhance as a whole.

“Diversity and Inclusion requires both men and women to realize how they can create an environment for everyone to grow.”   -- Rudramuni B, Vice President and Head of Dell EMC's R&D Centre, Bangalore

To establish a future where women workforce is an active contributor of the digital economy, there is a strong need for mindset reboot. This message was brilliantly exhibited at the Connected CIO event at the Dell Technologies Forum 2019 – all through women who are already changing the tides.

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