Community Newsletter, December 9, 2021
Hello Tech Professionals,

Evolving women's equity in tech has been on our minds this year. This community brought together thought leaders to lead programs for women to be confident, visible, and supported in their tech organizations. At MassTLC, we feel passionate about this. We are grateful to those who have contributed their time to lead conversations on trends, strategies, and thought leadership. I am grateful to many of you, especially Kim Meninger, Deb Becker, Megan Greenfield, Lori Barsalou, Parna Sarkar-Basu for leading discussions and creating awareness.

Next week, we will have our last meeting of the year, "The Future of Women At Work: 2022 Workforce Trends," on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 9 AM EST, more information and registration here.

In the coming year, you can look forward to fresh new programs bringing new trends and insights to your organization. I look forward to growing together.

We are grateful to our sponsors, Salesforce, and Workhuman.

Happy Holidays,
Nayla Daly
Communities Manager
MassTLC
Programs
  • The Future of Women At Work: 2022 Workforce Trends: As we enter a new year, what workplace trends can we expect to see in 2022? Tech organizations are grappling with climbing attrition rates and the retention of women and caretakers. Join this meeting to hear from an expert panel of changemakers who will share trends and insights on a range of topics that will create impact. Register here.

  • Tech Compact for Social Justice Roundtable: This roundtable brings together the TCSJ signers to discuss how your journey has been since making the commitments. We will discuss your successes and lessons learned, offering an opportunity to share and ask questions. Facilitated by Gayatri Shanai, Partner, McKinsey & Company, this panel of tech professionals will share their experiences on impacting DEI efforts in their organizations. This forum is for MassTLC members and TCSJ signers, register here.

  • Board Ready Bootcamp: An award-winning program, designed specifically for women, tech leaders of color, openly LGBTQ+, the neurodiverse, and people with disabilities who are tech leaders currently in senior executive positions and are ready to make the leap to serve on a board. This program will take place will take place in April 2022. Learn more here.

  • Call for Mentors: Technovation Girls—an international tech entrepreneurship competition for girls—started on December 8th, and our local teams need mentors. Whether you have coding, design, marketing, or finance skills, the teams can use your help. Please contact Sara Fraim for more information.

  • Lead A Discussion: The MassTLC Professional Women's Community meets quarterly and is seeking conversation leaders and fresh topics. Please email Nayla if you have a topic you would like to explore with your professional peers or if you would like to lead a conversation. 
Community News and Insights
  • 6 Ways to Upskill Women for In-Demand Jobs: As a young mother with two small children, Natasha Santiago-Body struggled to juggle parenthood, a job, and her studies. Her own mother could identify: She had been just 16 when Santiago-Body was born and often left her children in their grandmother’s care so she could earn a degree to become a registered nurse and, later, to return to school to add computer and project management skills to her resume. She pushed Santiago-Body to complete her education but balancing school with work and the demands of life was just too much. Read more here.

  • WPI Club Seeks to Empower and Mentor Aspiring Cypbersecuirty Professions: Cybersecurity is facing two significant workforce issues—a gender gap and widespread vacancies that affect not just the industry but many aspects of people’s daily lives. Mentorship, networking, and career guidance are important aspects of this club that may run counter to the stereotypical idea of solitary cybersecurity professionals. Read more here.

  • Three Ways Business Leaders Can Drive Change and Boost Economic Recovery: The benefits of gender diversity on the economy and businesses are well documented. The topic of supporting more women in tech comes and goes in waves. Currently, the wave is huge, and we need to ride it. Companies are desperate to hire more women and VCs are looking to fund more women-owned businesses. So, if you are a woman, especially a woman of color like me, let’s step back and celebrate this win. Read more here.

  • The Business Imperative for Addressing Imposter Syndrome: Have you ever felt like a fraud? Have you ever worried that, despite all the external evidence of your success, others will soon find out that you don’t belong in your role? If so, you know the pain of impostor syndrome. And you’re not alone. Conservative estimates suggest that roughly 70% of the population will experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, most of us continue to believe that we’re the only ones who feel this way. Read more here.

  • MADE for More: My Experience Embracing Diversity and Cultures in Employee Resources Groups: Finding a community in the workplace that feels welcoming and provides a space where I can be myself is why I love being part of our Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), or as we call them at Nuance, our “Nuance Networks.” These two networks allow me to contribute to Nuance’s commitment to fostering and celebrating inclusion and diversity. Read more here.

  • Radio Entrepreneurs Podcast: Afterschool Programs to Empower Kids with Technical Skills in STEM, with Olu Ibrahim of Kids in Tech. Listen here.

  • Radio Entrepreneurs Podcast: Helping Women Grow, Thrive, & Re-enter the Workforce with Addie Swartz of ReacHire. Listen here.

  • From Pilot to Diversity Leader: 2021 Mosaic Award Winner, Chevy Cleaves: Pilot. Pilot instructor. Aerospace strategist. Diversity leader. While it may seem like one of these terms doesn’t go with the others, they all apply to this year’s Mosaic Award Recipient, Chevalier “Chevy” Cleaves, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. All of Chevy’s varied professional and life experiences have contributed to developing the dedicated and visionary leader whom we are honoring for his work creating access and opportunity for future leaders. Read more here.
Community Advisor Welcome: Parna Sarkar-Basu
What is your current role?
I am the founder of a consulting firm, Brand and Buzz. We work primarily with tech companies, and design strategies and programs to build, humanize and amplify brands, globally.

What do you like about what you do?
I love talking to innovators and business leaders, and learning about cool, new technologies that are disrupting industries and saving lives. While it’s a privilege to be working with pioneers and brilliant entrepreneurs, it’s also highly gratifying when their companies get acquired or they raise millions in new funding. I especially enjoy spotlighting women entrepreneurs who are making a difference and helping companies showcase their culture and people.
 
What do you like about being part of the MassTLC community?
The MassTLC team does an amazing job of creating communities and bringing us together to discuss trends and critical issues, including DE&I, hiring and retaining talent. They are also very responsive to member needs and go above and beyond to support the community. Thanks, team for your hard work. We appreciate you.  
Professional Women's Community Sponsors
MassTLC Global Sponsors