CompTIA Advancing Women In IT Community Announces 2015 Webinar Series

Program will focus on business benefits of a diversified workforce

CompTIA, the information technology (IT) industry association, announced recently its Advancing Women in IT Community will offer a series of free educational webinars in 2015 to promote the performance and productivity benefits businesses can realize by diversifying their workforce.

“The companies that drive innovation and growth typically feature a workforce that’s rich in age, cultural and gender diversity,” said Doriana Allyn, Senior Manager, Environmental Health and Safety, Brother International Corporation and chair of the Advancing Women in IT Community. “Our webinar series will deliver that message and offer common sense strategies and tactics that any business can deploy to become more diverse.”

Four webinars are currently planned for 2015, beginning on Jan. 7 (10 a.m. CST) with “Relax, Focus, and Succeed.”

Karl Palachuk, a small-business owner, author, speaker and trainer, is the featured presenter for the Jan. 7 webinar. Palachuk will share insights on how to become more successful by taking a straight-forward approach to work and life without working yourself to death. The session will include easy-to-adopt strategies on how to effectively balance your personal and professional lives. Visit http://www.comptia.org/events/view/relax-focus-and-succeed-powered-by-the-comptia-advancing-women-in-it-community to register for the Jan. 7 webinar.

Promoting Workplace Diversity
The second webinar, titled “Changing the Face of Technology—Creating Cultures That Close the Gender Gap!” and produced by Aspire Ascend, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 (10 a.m. CST).

The webinar features Jan Molino and Judy Patterson, co-founders and managing partners of Aspire Ascend. The Washington, D.C.-based professional services firm partners with corporations, nonprofits and government organizations to promote gender balance in today’s workforce. They will discuss how to build an organizational culture that promotes gender diversity and workplaces that will attract and retain women.

“Business success in a global economy depends on including women’s skills and perspectives in leadership, recognizing that women are the largest and most educated pool of talent and appealing to women as consumers who increasingly influence purchasing decisions,” Molino said.

While women control more than 80 percent of U.S. consumer spending, they account for just 14.6 percent of executive officers; 8.1 percent of top earners; 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs; and 16.9 percent of Fortune 500 board seats.

“It’s important for the entire business sector – small, medium and large companies – to recognize the value of women’s contributions as leaders,” Patterson added. “Organizations that strive for a greater mix of women at the table are better positioned to achieve their goals.”

Details on other webinars will be announced at a later date.

CompTIA’s Advancing Women in IT Community has a threefold mission:

• Empowering women with the knowledge and skills necessary to help their pursuit of successful IT careers.
• Inspiring girls and women to enter the IT field as a career choice.
• Supporting businesses in creating cultures that promote a diverse IT workforce.

The group includes women and men who support this mission and are currently in, or aspire to be in, IT careers. For more information, visit CompTIA Advancing Women in IT.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.comptia.org/home.