Tuesday, August 25, 2020 - 2:00pm to Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - 2:45pm
Join our esteemed panelists to hear about their own journeys and how tech companies can go beyond lip service to make meaningful change.
About this Event
Technology companies love to market themselves as being cool and cutting edge, but they are largely lacking in diversity, especially at the leadership level. How can tech companies attract diverse employees, how can they provide adequate support to retain those employees, and how can we make the workplace feel more inclusive over all?
The panel will consist of women of color in leadership and what that experience has been like. What do they wish they had during their careers? What are their observations?
There is a lot of positive talk, but how do we move beyond lip service? How are their organizations promoting diversity and inclusion? Where do we need to start?
Leadership roles in D & I are on the rise. How should the roles be defined, filled, and measured? Is it too soon?
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About our Panelists:
Tonie Leatherberry
Tonie has been with Deloitte & Touche, LLC for over 29 years. As a principal in Deloitte’s Risk and Financial Advisory practice, Tonie is responsible for supporting key accounts across Strategy, Enterprise Risk, Human Capital and Technology services. She has also served on Deloitte Consulting’s Board of Directors and as Deloitte Consulting’s Chief Inclusion Officer and serves on several advisory boards, including Widener University Board of Trustees, Boston University College of Engineering Advisory Committee, and Boston University Board of Overseers. Tonie has received numerous accolades, most notably as one of the top 25 consultants by Consulting Magazine as well as being named by Black Enterprise as one of the Most Powerful Women in Business. She is the president of the Deloitte Foundation, and chair of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) who mission is to open channels of opportunity for Black executives to positively impact business and communities.
Hilda Pinnix–Ragland
Hilda is a corporate affairs and business executive with a background in finance. She previously served as Vice President, Corporate Public affairs at Duke Energy where she established led a program included 31 states as well as parts of South and Central America to develop responsible energy policy and advance the utility’s international interests. During her career, Hilda has combined operating success – including leading a 600,000-customer energy delivery operation, achieving top financial, safety, customer service, and employee satisfaction results – with the ability to collaborate and build alignment with government, regulatory, and other stakeholders. Very active in the advisory space, Hilda currently serves on the board of RTI International, Southwest Water Company, NC A&T State University, 8 Rivers Capital, NC Dental Services, and was past Chair of the NC Community College system. Hilda is a recipient of several prestigious awards across her career.
Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma is a seasoned executive currently serving as Chief Digital Officer ("Nerd-in-Chief") for VGD NYC. She has 18+ years of experience managing all aspects of Product Design, Development and Deployment, and Project Management. In her current role, Preeti evaluates, recommends, and implements new products and technologies for customers. Preeti was named to Crain's New York Business' Notable Women in Technology. Her work has been honored with three AVA Digital awards for Instagram campaigns, and a 2013 Brandon Hall Excellence in Technology Award. In addition to her work for VGD, Sharma volunteers as a career coach, offering pro-bono consulting in support of economic empowerment.
Dana Calder
Dana leads all HR functions as the director of human resources for Spreedly. Dana's tenure at Spreedly has included work as an account manager on the new customer acquisition team and the customer success team where she was responsible for the engagement with customers through trials, testing and onboarding. Prior to Spreedly, Dana found her passion for the Triangle’s technical community after joining The Iron Yard Durham, an immersive computer programming boot camp. As Director, she supported over 150 developers with career support to acquire local tech jobs by building a robust Triangle-focused employer advisory board.
Zee Khan (host)
Zee Khan is a services executive with a 15+ year track record at high-growth technology companies. Zee has led functions that include customer success, onboarding, technical support, retention, renewals, product marketing, and CX. Currently, Zee is using her experience to serve as a fractional Chief Customer Officer and consultant to tech startups. In 2017, Zee was the recipient of the Triangle Business Journal's "Women in Business" Award. She also serves as the chairperson for the Technology Advisory Board for her town's local government. Under her leadership, the town established an annual STEM fair for the town’s youth.
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About The Alliance of Women in Tech Leadership
WHO WE ARE
The Alliance of Women in Tech Leadership is a new community of Triangle executives committed to the advancement, and growth, of women in technology.
OUR STORY
We strive to change the culture of the typical technology workplace from the inside-out. By providing women with a community of peers to lean on, learn from and leverage.
HOW WE WORK
We support one another during trials and transitions, through reassurance, experience and resources.
We celebrate our wins, promotions, successes and our victories.
We crowdsource solutions to shared problems and combine resources to be more impactful.
We share our most valuable resources--our time, wisdom and our networks.
For more information, visit https://allianceofwomenintech.com/