PRESS RELEASE
Parity.org Founder Takes the Main Stage at Silicon Slopes Tech Summit to Discuss Gender Parity in Tech
More than 75 Organizations Have Signed the ParityPledge in Just Four Months
SILICON SLOPES – January 18, 2018 – Today, Parity.org, a non-profit organization focused on bringing gender parity to the highest levels of business, announced that its founder, Cathrin Stickney, will participate on the main stage at the 2018 Silicon Slopes Tech Summit. Josh James, Domo founder and CEO, will interview Stickney about the mission and momentum of the ParityPledge, and how parity in leadership positions helps strengthen tech organizations. This session will take place today at 10am MT at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City.
“Gender parity at the highest level of corporate leadership helps create stronger organizations, and it’s needed now more than ever,” Stickney said. “In S&P 500 companies last year women only held 5.2 percent of CEO positions and 21.2 percent of board seats. As the tech industry continues to grow and play a significant role in the American economy, it’s critical to have a well-rounded group of leaders at the helm.”
During her session, Stickney will announce the full list of Parity.org’s founding companies. Since launching in September 2017, more than 75 companies have signed the ParityPledgeTM, which asks companies to commit to interviewing at least one qualified woman candidate for every open position, vice president and above, including the C-Suite and the Board.
Forty companies across the state of Utah have taken the ParityPledge, including the entire Silicon Slopes executive board, which consists of the CEOs of Adobe, Banyan, Domo, Entrata, InsideSales.com, Pluralsight, Qualtrics and Vivint Smart Home.
Clint Betts, the executive director of Silicon Slopes, said, “The Silicon Slopes executive board put their support behind the ParityPledge as it is an easy solution to implement and any company of any size can commit to doing it. We need more women in tech leadership, and the ParityPledge helps companies to recruit as well as grow their leadership from within. We’re thrilled to be hosting this conversation during Silicon Slopes Tech Summit this year and invite companies that have not yet signed the ParityPledge to make the commitment.”
On Thursday during the Summit, Parity.org will also partner with the Women Tech Council to host a networking luncheon for C-Suite leaders across the state of Utah.
“Increasing the number of women in executive roles in tech is a high priority, and one that requires active programs that focus on creating change that drives the right impact,” said Cydni Tetro, president and co-founder of Women Tech Council. “Creating programs that build relationships between the talented women tech executives and CEOs, VCs and board members broaden networks and accelerates getting more qualified women into leadership positions and the community.”
Silicon Slopes Tech Summit is a globally recognized two-day summit organized and hosted by the Silicon Slopes community. With some of the most prominent and leading minds in the tech industry taking the stage, Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2018 is the largest and most prominent annual tech event in the state of Utah.
To take the ParityPledge or learn more about how to get involved with Parity.org, visit http://www.Parity.org.
About Parity.org
Parity.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit profit organization dedicated to gender parity at the highest ranks of business leadership. Parity.org is assembling a founding advisory board of some of the most recognized men and women leaders in business. You can follow Parity.org on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
ParityPledge is a trademark of Parity.org.
Contact:
Katy Kenealy
Parity.org PR
katy@methodcommunications.com
