Honoring Women in Tech

Meet the Panelists

While Women’s History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the obstacles women have overcome since 1908, Kansas State University wants to acknowledge the women in tech who are using their voice and their influence to make an impact in this male-dominated field. 

Our first-ever Women in Tech panel will feature panelists from InspiHER Tech, Tissue Tech, Inc, and Instacart, with HackerU’s Head of Digital Marketing, Lisa Franklin, as moderator. Their collective expertise in technology offers a unique collection of experiences which they will share during our live, virtual event. Meet our panelists below.

Darrah Joy Clay – Brand Partnerships Director at Instacart

Darrah is passionate about doing the work needed to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.  Having often experienced oiliness in her career as a Black woman in media and technology, she uses her free time and voice to take on special projects that promote representation, equal opportunities, and closing the race/gender wage gap in corporate America.  

Jamielyn Co – Digital Marketing Director at Tissue Tech, Inc.

With more than 14 years of marketing communications and digital marketing experience, Jamielyn is considered an expert in the various fields of digital marketing including Pay-Per-Click advertising, social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). She started her career in a multinational pharmaceutical branding agency, working with Fortune 500 companies such as Pfizer, GSK, and Sanofi Aventis. She is currently the Director of Digital Marketing and Ecommerce for a biologics company in South Florida.

Laurie Swanson – InspiHER Tech Founder 

With a background in coding, Laurie began her career as a computer programmer before moving into technology recruiting and technology sales. In 1995, Laso Corporation, a boutique Information technology search firm, was founded and later evolved into InspiHER Tech. With this new venture, Laurie set out to bring equal pay and opportunities to women while removing biases that get in the way of fostering an inclusive IT team.

Women in Tech Statistics

The days of the suffrage movement feel far behind us but, as data shows, there is still work to be done to improve the representation of women, especially women of color, in tech. 

• 26% of computing-related jobs are held by women, despite women accounting for almost 50% of the total workforce. (builtin.com)
• Women hold only 16% of senior positions and 10% of executive-level positions. (isemag.org)
• Just 3% of computing-related jobs are held by African-American women, 6% held by Asian women, and 2% held by Hispanic women. (builtin.com)
• 50% of women said they have experienced gender discrimination at work. (builtin.com)
• 20.4% of women in tech over 35 remain in junior-level positions, as opposed to just 5.9% of men over 35. (isemag.org)

Diversity is a breeding ground for innovation, allowing men and women of all backgrounds to use their experiences and perspectives to drive innovation, solve complex issues, and remain competitive in today’s fast-paced world. 

Learn More at Our Women in Tech Panel Discussion

On March 31st, you can sit with our panel during a live, virtual event to learn about their career trajectory, how they deal with impostor syndrome and gain some great career advice. Register today to save your spot. Don’t miss out!