Tech-ing the Lead: IT Leaders Encourage Guatemalan Entrepreneurs
Top-leading Chief Information Officers (CIO) recently inspired women in Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment program while serving on a Field Teams trip to Guatemala.
Being a woman in the tech industry isn’t easy, and finding a position in leadership is even harder. A recent study identified that only 22% of major tech companies have more than five women on their executive boards. Just over a quarter of CIO positions in the past few years were held by women.
This trip gave eight of those leaders a chance to encourage other women who are working to beat the odds in Guatemala, where only 37% of women participate in the formal labor market.
During their trip, the CIOs met with women in the CADA Center (Center for Outreach, Development, and Friendship — CADA is the acronym in Spanish) and participated in service projects. Over two days, they served meals to children in Convoy’s program centers, and helped remodel kitchens, gardens, and classrooms. They painted the classrooms just in time for the first day of school!
They also shared their experiences as women in the tech field and the strength that each Women’s Empowerment participant carries within them.
“Being a CIO is something I never dreamed I could do,” said Melissa Fulmore Hardwick, CIO of CSI Companies. “It’s a blessing to share with you and for you to feel our hearts today.”
“My heart is full to see all of you getting a brand new start,” said Jennifer Walton, Director of Technology Services at the Saint Louis Zoo.
The tech leaders opened up at the CADA Center — where women are being trained in job skills while growing in an environment that affirms their worth and value — about the balance of family and work.
“While I lead a technology team, I’m also a wife, sister, mother of three children, daughter, aunt, and more importantly, one of you,” said Kristie Grinnell, CIO of TD Synnex.
“Motherhood has been my biggest accomplishment,” said Andrea Markstrom, VIO of Schulte Rock & Zabel LLP, where she is a tech leader in a law firm. “You’ve got this!”
They encouraged women at CADA in their journeys and celebrated alongside them as they lived out their success. They met with Saida, who graduated from the Women’s Empowerment program and started her own tech business in her village. The leaders made her a “CIO” sign so she could celebrate her much-deserved title.
And they showed the women a pose that represents their strength as leaders — strong arms held high.
Check out our Women’s Empowerment initiative to learn more about how you can empower women in Convoy’s programs.
