The rise of WomenPresent marks a pivotal moment in tech events, challenging the prevalence of all-male panels.
By fostering a culture of inclusivity, this platform is set to redefine industry standards and promote gender diversity.
WomenPresent is a pioneering platform designed to bridge the gender gap in tech events. By creating a global, searchable database of female experts, it aims to enhance diversity among speakers. This innovative solution allows event organisers to tailor requests for different speaking roles, thereby dismantling the current all-male panel trend.
The initial launch targets the tech industries in the UK and US, marking a critical step towards inclusivity. WomenPresent enables manual matching of female experts with event organisers, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to express their expertise and insights on various subjects.
The absence of women on event panels often discourages them from pursuing such opportunities. Cadi Jones, co-founder of WomenPresent, highlights this as a ‘vicious cycle’. The lack of female representation at renowned conferences, such as CES, showcases the pressing need for platforms like WomenPresent.
WomenPresent’s strategy does not aim to reduce male participation but rather enrich it by including diverse voices. This approach significantly challenges the norm by fostering an environment where gender diversity is prioritised and celebrated.
Cadi Jones stands at the forefront of this initiative, leveraging her roles at Beeswax and Bloom UK to drive this change.
Alongside Jones, leaders like Susan Pierce of Google and Tom Jenen of Oriel Ventures play pivotal roles in spearheading WomenPresent. Their combined expertise ensures a robust platform fostering gender diversity.
Ruth Zohrer from Mindshare also contributes her product acumen, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to gender equality in tech panels. Their collective vision propels WomenPresent’s mission forward, showcasing a unified front to tackle gender disparity in event speaking roles.
While WomenPresent focuses on gender diversity, its implications reach further. By broadening the pool of speakers, it encourages a wider range of perspectives and experiences, enhancing the overall quality of discussions.
The aim is to enrich conversations by ensuring that diverse viewpoints are present. This inclusive approach not only addresses gender imbalance but also promotes a culture of comprehensive representation.
WomenPresent’s inception marks a significant shift in the tech industry. By prioritising gender diversity, it highlights the evolving narrative towards equality in professional spaces, ensuring that female voices are heard.
The platform’s launch is anticipated to inspire other industries to adopt similar measures. Success in tech can serve as a blueprint for other sectors rife with gender imbalance, promoting a widespread change in how events are curated.
WomenPresent exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to event organisation by actively challenging the status quo of all-male panels. Its successful implementation can potentially influence broader changes across various industries, fostering a more inclusive environment.
As industries evolve, embracing platforms like WomenPresent becomes essential for nurturing innovation and equality. Its impact on the tech scene is just the beginning of a groundbreaking journey towards comprehensive diversity.
WomenPresent exemplifies progress in tech by challenging the norm of all-male panels.
Its influence could potentially reshape industry practices, promoting greater inclusivity and diversity.