Creating Impact for Tech Women
and Organizations
Shaping a movement through awareness, dialogue and idea-sharing
Welcome to the Women in Technology edition of our e-newsletter, the Iris Insider. This issue recaps two impactful women’s events we recently sponsored, as well as the Iris initiatives that are helping us build an exemplary workplace for women.
Nearly everyone today is familiar with the challenges and sensitivities surrounding DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and gender equality in the workplace. While some progress has been made in the tech field and global workforce, which is positive, more can and needs to be done to support women in their professional and personal journeys.
Progress cannot be achieved with one-time events or efforts; these must be nurtured, maintained and grown over time. At Iris, we are trying to do our part to support the cause through multiple, ongoing women-only programs, such as the Iris Women Initiatives Network (iWIN), highlighted in this edition.
We also launched an inaugural Women In Tech Celebration in March 2023 that was well-received and we plan to host regularly. We wanted to provide a platform where issues related to women in technology can be discussed amongst women leaders - to spread awareness as well as to foster more ideas that can shape this movement.
We were fortunate to have six highly-accomplished women tech leaders share their experiences and insights at this event. Their dialogue inspired many of us in attendance to initiate moves that could create impact, for ourselves as well as our respective organizations.
I conclude by sharing this very fitting short poem:
“Progress” by Rupi Kaur Our work should equip
The next generation of women
To outdo us in every field
This is the legacy we’ll leave behind
To recognize women at the forefront of IT and mark International Women’s Month 2023, Iris hosted an inaugural Women in Tech Celebration for women clients and other guests on March 9.
Nearly 65 people attended and enjoyed the program, which included remarks by CEO Sanjiv Khanna. The highlight of the event was an interactive panel discussion, featuring five highly-accomplished women tech leaders from Iris client companies as panelists, and an industry professional as moderator. They traveled from Toronto, Florida, New York, and New Jersey to participate.
These senior executives shared career and life experiences and insights - on gender equality; diversity do’s & don’ts; different management styles; self-reflection and -promotion; methods to advance women in tech fields; and how each one of us can support this cause.
Kasthuri Thiru – MD, Data Services, Bank of Montreal Rekha Ramesh – CIO, LifeScan Anika Sharma – Technology & Business Professor, NYU Christine Nolan – Head of Trading Technologies, MarketAxess Ruchi Saraswat – Head of Strategy & Transformation, RBC CMIsabel Espina – VP, Product Development, ADP
Watch a brief video and read more about our inaugural event.
Iris got involved with Women & Allies in Technology of New York City, a networking group formed in August 2022 by three women technologists at ADP. We then partnered with ADP, and another women’s organization, GroWIT, to co-sponsor the group’s second in-person event, held at ADP’s Lifion offices in October 2022.
We supported an evening of inspirational speakers, professional insights and networking opportunities for the 60+ diverse women who attended, both leading and aspiring technologists. A panel of senior women tech leaders shared unique perspectives on career development, inclusive and empathetic leadership, effective mentoring, and goal-setting, all helpful and important topics to women on their career journeys in tech.
