Recap International Women’s Day : #ChooseToChallenge Summit 2021

“A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change.” – IWD

Women In Cloud IWD2021 Summit
#CollectivePower In Action

Imagine a post-pandemic world where women are struggling for jobs, recognition, and for a spot in the industry? Well, we are already there! The Covid-19 pandemic has driven a large number of women out of the workforce and dented years of effort to achieve equity and equality for women in the industry. 

The 2021 International Women’s Day-themed #ChooseToChallenge was dedicated to overcoming the overwhelming issues women continue to face in today’s world enhanced by the onset of a global pandemic. Following the theme of IWD, Women in Cloud’s two-day celebrations focused on providing digital experiences that help participants gain the skills, knowledge, and access they need to challenge the current environment and statistics around economic inclusion for women in technology. 

The summit was a call-to-action to avert a brewing global crisis for women in the upcoming years as a direct impact of the current pandemic. The Co-founder and President of Women in Cloud, Chaitra Vedullapalli spoke about the detrimental trifecta hampering the creation of infinite economic access for women in technology. She highlighted the following trifecta and called upon the industry thought leaders, experts and corporations to build strategic partnerships to eliminate a possible crisis; 

  1. Lack of Leadership Representation: Though female participation in the labor force has increased and the number of women in executive-level roles has risen, growth has been painfully slow. The percentage of female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies has climbed from zero in 1995 to only 4.8 percent in 2018. Just one in eight start-up CEOs are women and the most highly compensated executive roles continue to be dominated by men. Overall, women technologists make up 28.8 percent of the tech workforce today. When we act with intention, we can put more women in leadership roles which will lead to a stronger economy.
  2. Lack of Supplier Diversity Allocation: Today, only 3 percent of corporate procurement dollars and 5 percent of federal contracts are going to women-owned firms. Although total global venture funding increased by 4 percent year-over-year, funding to female-founded startups decreased by 27 percent. Investors have reduced their investment in women-led tech companies taking it to less than 2 percent. It’s no wonder that only 2 percent of women-owned businesses ever make it to $1 million in revenue, which is 3.5 times less than their male counterparts.
  3. Increased Displacement of Women-held Jobs: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to the COVID-19 pandemic more than 2.2 million women were unemployed and it is estimated 180 million women’s jobs will be eliminated over the next 20 years as a result of AI transformation.

To combat these shocking numbers and help women, the Women in Cloud’s International Women’s Day celebration was a call-to-action summit to engage and partner with large corporations. If men and women worked together to double the supplier diversity allocation in large corporations – not spend, JUST their budget allocation – we will generate $1 billion in revenue for women entrepreneurs.

At International Women’s Day, we proactively created high energy community experiences to connect, inspire and transform the attendees to be part of the economic access movement; 

  • #ChooseToChallenge Fireside Chat: The high-level interactive summit began with a power panel led by Jackie Wright, Chief Digital Officer, Microsoft, and Gretchen O’Hara, Vice President, US AI & Sustainability Strategy. It was a captivating fireside chat that invigorated the audience and left them with clear thoughts to consider the current state of economic access and where they can take action to change the narrative in their own ecosystems. Click here for the full video.
  • #ChooseToChallenge Leadership Panel: Led by Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director of Accenture along with power speakers Ying Zhao, ServiceNow; Kristen Marquez, Boeing; Jeana Jorgenson, Google; Lily Li, Columbia, Citi, the panel shared lived experiences, articulated the crisis that we are dealing with, and how as an individual one can find a solution to existing crises in your ecosystem. Click to listen to the conversation.
#ChoosetoChallenge Power Panel at Women In Cloud IWD2021 Event
  • #CloudJobs and #RockYourPitch: Battling the job displacement problem, the #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge created access to over 150 jobs from 33 companies. Plus, we hosted #RockYourPitch, a confidence-building experience to help attendees and entrepreneurs to build their compelling pitch. 
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  • #CloudExecConnect: Women in Cloud’s premium networking experience #CloudExecConnect helps female technology founders to connect with experienced industry leaders to advise entrepreneurs to get access to investors and customers.
#cloudExecConnect Advisors
  • Microsoft’s #BuildFor2030 Campaign: Female founders from WiC Cloud accelerator were invited to participate in Microsoft’s #BuildFor2030 campaign to make ensure easy access to technology developed by female tech founders. Together, we highlighted companies that align with the UN SDGs and bring us one step closer to creating an inclusive digital economy. Congratulations to WiC Female Founders!

2021 is about challenging the norms of society and eliminating the onset of the global crisis fueled by the detrimental trifecta. So join us in the economic access movement and let us together beat this global crisis. 

As a special gift to you, please enjoy the complimentary offers below:

To access the recordings from the Summit, stay tuned to the #WiCDigitalNetwork for more information on when they will be released. 

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Summit 2021: Real People. Collective Power.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

The Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 displayed Collective Power, and let the world know that we are stronger together! 

The first ever Digital Summit hosted online for a worldwide audience was a huge success and we surpassed all expectations. Despite the health and social crisis of this past year, Women in Cloud as a network grew stronger and reached new heights that contributed to economic development in the tech industry. Where many held back, we accelerated forward. 

The Women in Cloud Community is proud and elated to share the following Summit accomplishments. 

  • Over 2500+ leaders attended, representing over 19 countries, 250 female-led companies, and growing, our highest engagement ever
  • 700+ volunteers organized 115 sessions for everyone to participate in, all done in 1 dynamic virtual experience
  • We made over 1.5 million impressions on social media alone in just two weeks
  • Over 60 youth leaders had the opportunity to join the STEM mentorship program
  • Our own WiC Cohort members saw 25-500% growth in their businesses
  • Over 87 companies pledging to create economic access for women in the tech industry
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The success of this year’s event is a reminder that our one goal matters.

We are not just another conference of innovative ideas, we’re a transformative community of powerful voices that creates collective access to all aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs to become empowered change makers that make an inclusive economic impact.

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Furthermore, the Women in Cloud Summit 2021 hosted extraordinary sessions and powertalks. Some of them are listed below for your access;

  1. Fireside Chat with Former Prime Minister Rt Honorable Kim Campbell & Gavriella Schuster Corporate Vice President of Microsoft
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  1. Senator Patty Kuderer Message to women all around the world
  2. An empowering welcome by Gretchen O’Hara
  3. A sneak peek into the STEM based Youth Mentorship
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  1. UN Goals 2030: Global Dialogue – A conversation led by global leaders focussing on women’s role in accomplishing UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

Furthermore, you can access the 110 Power Talks & Live Sessions here.

Another major highlight at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 was the launch of Women in Cloud Solution Marketplace – a platform designed for companies to get access to solutions developed by women tech entrepreneurs. The platform currently hosts over 30 enterprise ready solutions. 

The year 2020 disrupted and delayed normalcy as we knew it. However, despite the global health crisis and regional social crisises the world went through, we witnessed our community and the technology industry come together to focus on building a transformative, and sustainable future. While it was hard, we tried honour all the teaching the year 2020 had for us. Click here access the Women in Cloud Memorabilia called Mic On. Camera On! 

At the Women in Cloud Community, we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead, with our key focus on the following areas; 

  • Strategic Partnerships with Fortune 1000 Companies: We will be investing in Strategic Partnerships make their supplier network diverse; and secure invitations for female tech founders to be part of the digital transformation initiatives. 
  • Business Development: To further focus on opportunity creation, we aspire to drive 8000 Business Development Connections through community events and activations.
  • Research: Additionally, we will commission research to build strategic coalitions with cross-sector leaders to develop policies around AI Ethics and Supplier Diversity.

What’s Next?

  • WIC is hosting an International Women’s Day event on 11 and 12 March, to connect and create infinite access for each other. Book your spot!
  • Seeking Cloud Jobs? Submit their candidate profile by 1 March, 2021 and get invited to meet potential recruiters. 

Finally, “Collaborate. Connect. Transform Yourself. Because infinite opportunities are created when you are dedicated to serving people daily. We are a community of collective power and infinite access.”

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Unlearning Negative Self-Talk: How to Handle the Worst Critic?

As the co-founder and principal of Go Big Coaching, my mission has always been to help women overcome the social and systemic barriers that hinder them from thriving in male-dominated fields while also developing a stronger, more courageous mindset to find success within their professional lives. 

I believe that we need more women in decision making roles to enhance economic access for all. I believe in the power of closing the wage gap, and I think a reasonable policy shift would be along the lines of what my home country Germany has, which is a Wage Transparency Act for companies with over 200 employees. It gives people the right to find out the median compensation of a colleague in the same or a comparable role. This type of transparency would remove obstacles that contribute to wage inequality based on gender, and could even result in an effective Equal Pay Act. Also, I believe that everyone should have the right to parental leave, which could help both men and women with job and wage security rather than punishing them for familial obligations. As a community, we must join forces to make these positive impacts,  and use our Collective Power to achieve the goal of an inclusive, innovative future. 

But what other than societal barriers restricts women to rise above and drive change? My passion for helping women unlock their potential has led me to develop a growth mindset that includes unlearning self-destructive behaviors and persevering through professional setbacks. I am excited to be presenting at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 on the topic of ‘Unlearning Negative Self-Talk.’ Our worst critic is our inner voice, but our self-criticisms don’t define or motivate us, and the only way to achieve inner peace and happiness is to acknowledge and overcome this inner critic. 

“Eventually I realized that learning would not get me where I wanted to go. This is when I had my lightbulb moment: It was time for me to UNlearn.”– Micha Goebig

So join me this January, at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 and let us work towards unlearning negative self-talk and replacing destructive thoughts with optimism. 

Book Your Spot today with a 15% discount, and get on board to witness the Collective Power of Women in the technology industry from around the world! 

I highly recommend the following Interactive Experiences for you to participate and expand your network: 

  1. 28 January: Learn about Tech Industry at their opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Honorable Kim Campbell and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster 
  2. 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  3. 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  4. 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  5. 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  6. 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  7. 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Also, join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.

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Purchase Your WiC Branded #BeCOME T-Shirt and Enter to Win Executive Mentorship with Gavriella Schuster.

Women in Cloud has partnered with Gavriella Schuster, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft to underwrite 50 women to get free access to the WIC Digital Summit 2021 by giving a total of three one-on-one executive mentorship sessions.

What is the catch?

Nothing. Just buy a T-shirt!

As a C-level Microsoft Executive and Thought-Leader, Gavriella leads a global portfolio of channel partners that have influenced over $1 trillion in ecosystem revenues. She brings over 20 years of leadership in digital and cloud transformation roles, driving strategy and execution spanning all aspects of the business model and product development, launch, marketing, sales, and partner development. Gavriella currently leads global recruitment, enablement, and engagement of Microsoft’s fast-growing partner ecosystem. As a builder and change agent, she has built and turned around businesses by inspiring a vision for future customer relevance and engaging teams in developing the roadmap.

In December 2020, Gavriella delivered a powerful TEDx talk on the topic, ‘BeCOME an Ally: How to Achieve Gender Equity?’ Her TEDx speech highlighted the need to create opportunities for women in technology and the role all of us, men, and women play in the process. 

Gavriella Schuster was also awarded the ATHENA Global Leadership Award – previously bestowed upon icons like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Condoleezza Rice, and Christina Koch, just to name a few – for her contribution to technology, and supporting equality and equity in technology. The Insight Success Magazine also recognized Gavriella as the ‘Top 10 Most Influential Women in Cloud 2020.’

Gavriella is a powerhouse of knowledge and drives impact every step of the way! 

Now is your chance to qualify and win a chance to be mentored by Gavriella Schuster; you have to buy an exclusively designed Women in Cloud Allyship T-shirt. These t-shirts are designed to drive awareness about economic inclusion and allyship in the technology industry. 

What are the Entry Rules?

  1. Every purchase gives you an entry for the executive mentorship opportunity
  2. Drawing of the lots will happen on the closing day i.e., 30 January 2021 of the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021.
  3. Executive mentorship sessions will be scheduled on a mutually agreed date.

Buy a T-shirt today and win an exclusive executive mentorship opportunity while contributing to underwrite Summit passes for women! 

Buy Your T-Shirt Today!

This January 2021 at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 learn about the Technology Industry at the opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt. Honorable Kim Campbell, and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster.

We also highly recommend Interactive Experiences for you to participate in to expand your network:

  • 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  • 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  • 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  • 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  • 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  • 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.

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Reimagine Yourself In 2021 – #ROCKYOURPITCH at Women In Cloud Digital Summit 2021

Imagine if you could turn your personal stories, your experiences and your passions into a purpose-driven business even during challenging times?

It’s no secret that 2020 has been a year of fear and uncertainty.  Business leaders, entrepreneurs and companies have seen triumph and tragedy and our vision for 2021 is still seeking clarity.  But one thing is for sure.  You are in charge of your own personal brand, the so-called CEO of You and that has tremendous power that many have yet to tap into.

So what does this mean for you as you navigate a new year during one of the most pivotal periods in our lifetime? 

When you attend ROCK YOUR PITCH at this year’s Women in Cloud Digital Summit, you will:

  • Discover the power of personal branding and how it can support business development and networking
  • Learn how to build a story arc for you and your business that can stand apart from others
  • Leverage your personal story power for social brand building on all platforms, specifically LinkedIn
  • Interact with other leaders who are dedicated to their own professional growth and community networking
  • Craft your own “I AM” mission statement that will become your new north star message that sets you up for success in 2021

By the end of the session, you will be empowered with:

  • The tools necessary market yourself effectively to your own network, company, potential employer or future business partnerships.
  • A clear understanding of how to brand yourself on social platforms so you can build your own tribe.
  • Access to experts, leaders and other influencers that can support you with getting connected to the right people.

If you’re an emerging entrepreneur, job seeker, business leader or future leader and are ready to reimagine yourself in 2021, book your spot here before it fills up!  This is your chance to rock your pitch.

Book Your Spot Today!
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