This week, #MoveTheDial has announced a global summit, while TechTO has paired up with Venture Out to host PrideTechTO. Here’s the latest on these Canadian movers and shakers that are leading the conversation on inclusion.
#MoveTheDial Global Summit wants to inspire action to advance women in tech
#MoveTheDial, an organization dedicated to increasing the participation of women in technology, announced that it will host Toronto’s first annual #MoveTheDial Global Summit on November 7.
Taking place at Toronto’s Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, the Summit will bring together 600 corporate leaders from Canada’s tech ecosystem and 300 youth — aged 14 to 24 — from underserved markets to enable learning and networking. The Summit will focus on inspiring action to advance women into leadership roles in the global tech community and encourage young girls to pursue careers in STEM.
“To achieve our vision, we need to move the dial on gender in the tech market at a much faster pace, and encourage businesses and individuals to take immediate action to advance women in STEM,” said Jodi Kovitz, founder and CEO of #MoveTheDial. “The #MoveTheDial Global Summit will bring together corporate leaders and youth, inspiring and empowering them to unlock this country’s potential as the most inclusive technology ecosystem in the world.”
The #MoveTheDial Global Summit will consist of morning sessions, during which senior executives will share strategies, tools, and best practices to attract support, and retain women in tech. Afternoon sessions will feature stories from women leaders with the goal of encouraging attendees to “be what they can see.”
“This is both a moral and economic imperative and more important than ever since machines are now learning from the minds that are designing them,” said Kovitz. “As the first event of its kind taking place in Canada, it provides a tremendous opportunity for leaders to unite with a singular focus on advancing women in tech, today and in the future, and model our country’s strength of diversity and set a strong example for the rest of the world.”
The Summit’s organizers have also partnered with high-school innovation program The Knowledge Society and Plan International Canada to ensure an engaging and effective experience for youth attending the summit.
Launched in 2017, #MoveTheDial hosts events to give women the opportunity to network with tech leaders and celebrate their contributions to the tech ecosystem. In November 2017, the organization released a report, which found that the presence of more women in specific positions can lead to an increased presence across company leadership.
Those interested in attending the Summit can sign up here to receive information on summit registration, speakers, and the agenda.
TechToronto and Venture Out partner to launch PrideTechTO
TechToronto and Venture Out have partnered up to launch PrideTechTO, an initiative dedicated to improving the inclusivity and representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Toronto’s tech ecosystem.
TechTO and Venture Out will work together to ensure that more LGBTQ+ founders and tech leaders are represented on stage across TechTO’s various speaker events including TechTO, SalesTO, FinTechTO, HealthTO, MarketingTO, TravelTechTO, TechVancouver, and TechWaterloo.
“Inclusion and diversity is a strong value and mandate of the TechToronto community and is a cornerstone of the Canadian agenda,” said Alex Norman, co-founder of TechToronto. “Venture Out is the ideal partner for TechToronto and we look forward to working with them to ensure the LGBTQ+ technology founders are celebrated on the center stage of the technology ecosystem.”
PrideTechTO will kick off at TechTO’s next event on June 11. Speakers include Adam McLeod, founder of Adam Helps; Sachin Aggarwal, CEO of Think Research; Leah Skerry, co-founder and CEO of Squiggle Park; and Vuk Magdelinic, CEO of Overbond.
“TechToronto has been instrumental in fostering community for Toronto’s tech industry; we are excited to work together to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ leaders,” said Taylor Bond, chair of Venture Out. “ We are looking forward to the pride event
To date, Venture Out has hosted two conferences for LGBTQ+ students interested in exploring careers in tech and entrepreneurship.
Those interested in attending PrideTechTO can get their tickets here.