Dear Friends, Colleagues and Allies,
In March we celebrate both Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, a time to reflect on and celebrate the countless achievements and contributions women have made in the present and throughout history. As we celebrate this month, we, as the Women of Fountain, want to take a moment to acknowledge the legacy of women and female-identifying individuals in the technology industry who have opened doors for many of us. We also want to recognize the ongoing achievements of women who are currently working to push the industry forward in its constantly evolving and growing state.
Despite the significant progress that has been made in recent years, the tech industry still has a long way to go in terms of gender diversity. According to recent data women make up only 28% of the tech workforce and hold just 25% of tech leadership roles. These statistics make it clear that women are still underrepresented and undercompensated in the tech industry, and we need to do more to change that.
We want to acknowledge the barriers that women face in entering and thriving in the tech industry, ranging from bias and discrimination to a lack of representation and mentorship opportunities. It’s important that we all work together to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all women, and stands as a place where women feel like they have a seat at the table.
Luckily, there are a number of nonprofits and organizations that are making strides to support and encourage women in tech. Organizations such as UN Women, Girls Who Code, and many others are creating programs and initiatives that help bridge the gender gap and provide mentorship and leadership opportunities for women.
Eyes toward the future
Despite ongoing challenges, women have been making significant contributions to the tech industry for centuries. From Ada Lovelace, who is considered to be the first computer programmer, to Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler, to the countless women who are making their mark today, we have played a critical role in shaping the tech industry in roles ranging from engineering and product management, to HR, sales, marketing and more.
At Fountain, we are committed to promoting and supporting women in tech. Today, at Fountain, women make up around 40% of our employee population and we are setting ambitious goals for ourselves. We believe that diversity and representation of women in the tech industry is critical. Diversity brings different perspectives and ideas to the table, which can ultimately lead to better products and services. Of even greater importance, everyone deserves equal opportunities to pursue their passions and reach their full potential, regardless of gender or gender expression.
That’s why we at Fountain are creating programs and initiatives that support women both internally and externally, such as career development opportunities, actively adding women to our executive levels of leadership, as well as making a commitment to pay equity and transparency one of our core values. We’re proud of all of the women who work at Fountain and the contributions they have made to our company and the tech industry as a whole. In addition, we are heartened by the company’s recent commitment to bringing more women to our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, investors, and Leadership Team, and look forward to even more women being a part of the driving force behind Fountain’s success at the executive level.
However, despite the advances at Fountain and throughout the industry, we know that we’re not perfect. We are committed to further supporting women internally and externally and have a number of plans in place to achieve this. We, as the Women of Fountain, plan to work with the company’s leadership team and key partners to create more mentorship and leadership opportunities for women in the tech industry, and to provide resources and support for young women who are interested in pursuing careers in tech. In particular, we want to make sure we are opening opportunities for young women of color, as well as from diverse social and economic backgrounds to enable them to succeed at this company and in this industry.
We would also like to extend an invitation to all young people who identify as women and are interested in tech to reach out to us and learn more about the types of careers and opportunities that exist for women in this industry. We invite you to sign up for a “coffee chat” with one of our female-identifying Fountaineers to have an informative discussion about working in the tech industry and to explore mentorship opportunities. To get involved, fill out this form.
In closing, we want to thank the women who have paved the way for us in the tech industry, and all of the women who are making their mark today. We know there is still work to be done, but here at Fountain, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive future for women in tech.
Sincerely,
The Women of Fountain
