Statistics show that the technology sector, sadly, continues to be a male-dominated industry. Despite this, there are clear signs things are changing.

Companies are paying more attention to how gender diversity is considered throughout their organisation, from the hiring process to daily operations. There are also numerous initiatives and events, both local and global, designed to encourage and celebrate women in tech. These efforts are reflected in what we do here at VMware. We’re on our own diversity and inclusion journey, with the goal of tackling the challenges around recruiting, promoting and retaining women.

But in order to achieve long-term, holistic change around gender diversity, we need to change the perception of tech at an education level.

Women in STEM: a force for good

Alongside Dell EMC, VMware is proud to be a co-anchor sponsor of I WISH ­– an annual event aimed at inspiring young female students to consider a career in STEM. Held in both Dublin and Cork, I WISH plays host to a range of interactive exhibitions, workshops and talks, all designed to break down gender stereotypes and make it easier for girls to envision themselves with a successful STEM career.

There will be 40 volunteers from both companies taking part across the four-day event (two days in Dublin, two days in Cork). As part of the conference, we also have two VMware leaders speaking at the event. They include:

Kirsten Cox, Vice President of Marketing for VMware EMEA

(Speaking at the Dublin event)

As an industry veteran with more than 20 years’ experience in B2B environments and international blue-chip IT companies, Kirsten has first-hand experience of what the challenges are like being a woman in tech. Yet she has had a remarkable career, having held senior positions at companies such as Business Objects and CA Technologies.

With the responsibility of implementing marketing strategies across VMware’s EMEA region, Kirsten understands what it takes to succeed in a today’s digital economy, both from a business perspective and personally.

Kathy Chou, Vice President of Research & Development Operations and Central Services (ROCS) for VMWare

(Speaking at the Cork event)

With a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard Graduate Business School – Kathy is a great example of what a STEM education can lead towards.

Prior to working at VMware, Kathy was the SVP of Sales Strategy and Operations at Informatica, VP of Sales Operations and Strategy at Intuit, and spent 18 years at HP in various management roles. She’s currently a director for the Stanford Institute for Research in Social Sciences and a director for the Asian Pacific Fund.

Both women will be talking about their personal experiences in tech and their hopes for the future – particularly how tech can be used for good. As well as the talks above, members of the VMware team will also be taking part in panel sessions across the two sites.

It’s the fifth consecutive year VMware has supported the I WISH initiative. Over this time, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting plenty of young, ambitious female students, many of whom have gone onto further STEM study. We expect this year’s conference will be another spectacular event.

I WISH

7^th – 9^th February 2019: City Hall, Cork

11^th – 12^th February 2019: RDS, Dublin

For more information about I WISH, head here.

Category: News & Highlights

Tags: IWISH, Kirsten Cox, VMware EMEA