Sara Jones – Women Tech Council

Talent Ready grant program calling for new applicants

SALT LAKE CITY — For young people in rural communities in Utah, finding a meaningful career path can be exceptionally challenging. Students in high school often find work at local fast-food establishments and have little understanding of what options could be available beyond that field.

But a program funded by a grant through the state Department of Workforce Services is helping some kids in rural Utah and statewide find their way to potentially life-changing career choices.

Talent Ready Utah launched its 2018 grant program late last month aimed at creating more work-based learning and career pathway programs for students and adults participating in the labor force. This year, total funding allocated for grants will be $1.92 million, […]

Kristin Wright2018-04-05T18:50:59-07:00

Seeing is believing — SheTech shows girls there’s a future for women in Utah’s tech industry

When Nadia Diaz and Abbi Rogers were students at American Fork High School, “inspirational” chemistry teacher Whitney Beckstead took them to SheTech Explorer Day three years running.

The chance to interact with women who had established careers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) had a big influence on the teenagers. Both now 18, Diaz is now studying forensic science at Utah Valley University while Rogers is at Utah State University, studying veterinary science.

“I wouldn’t be majoring in veterinary science if it weren’t for SheTech,” Rogers said Thursday, when the Women Tech Council held […]

Kristin Wright2018-03-03T21:54:51-07:00

Utah State University partners with Women Tech Council

Utah State University recently partnered with the Women Tech Council to create the Student Innovators group, which aims to help more women receive degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Women Tech Council, a national organization “focused on the economic impact of women in driving high growth for the technology sector,” aims to increase the number of women pursuing fields through mentorship programs and networking opportunities, according to the group’s website.

Camille Knudson, a member of the organization, often finds herself stretched thin between working full-time, raising three children and studying management information systems at the USU-Tooele campus.

However, Knudson said participating in the council has enhanced her educational experience and provided opportunities for her to network with professionals in […]

Kristin Wright2018-03-02T23:30:57-07:00

It’s time for fun with STEM at SheTech Explorer Days

The SheTech Explorer Days are back, and there is literally something for every young woman at this event.

SheTech is put on by the Women Tech Council as a hands-on tech conference for high school girls. The day includes a plethora of interactive hands-on workshops centered on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. Girls who attend can explore robotics, computer programming, digital media, chemistry, health and microbiology.

Cydni Tetro, co-founder and president of the Women Tech Council, is very excited about how much SheTech has grown since its inception in 2014. From just about 300 girls then, Tetro said this week she expects more than 2,000 girls will be attending Thursday’s event at the Mountain America […]

Kristin Wright2018-03-02T23:40:28-07:00

InMoment Starts 2018 on Heels of Unprecedented Growth

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–After a record-breaking first half of 2017, InMoment today announced an even stronger performance through end of the year. The leading customer experience (CX) intelligence platform smashed several previous revenue and profitability records, achieved exponential growth in new industries such as automotive and financial services, and launched innovation initiatives boosting its ability to scale at an even faster rate.

Significant milestones include:

New Client Acquisition: InMoment experienced its highest level of year-over-year growth in the company’s 15-year history by closing a record number of new logo accounts and gaining significant traction from partner collaborations. In addition, the company expanded its footprint within existing clients, […]

Kristin Wright2018-02-13T21:49:16-07:00

Instructure Named to Women Tech Council 2018 Shatter List for Actively Working to Break Technology’s Glass Ceiling

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Instructure, a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company that makes software that makes people smarter, today announced it has been named to the Women Tech Council 2018 Shatter List for actively employing measures to help break the technology industry’s glass ceiling. Instructure was among 44 companies recognized based on the development and successful implementation of measures that create inclusive cultures where women can contribute and succeed.

“Being included in the Shatter List requires a holistic and active commitment to creating inclusive cultures from the executive level all the way down to entry positions,” said Cydni Tetro, president of the Women Tech Council. “The best practices these companies are developing […]

Kristin Wright2018-02-10T23:32:52-07:00

InMoment Recognized in 2018 Shatter List for Actively Working to Break Technology’s Glass Ceiling

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Customer experience (CX) intelligence pioneer, InMoment, today announced it has been recognized in the Women Tech Council’s 2018 Shatter List for actively employing measures to help break the technology industry’s glass ceiling. InMoment was among 44 companies recognized based on the development and successful implementation of measures that create inclusive cultures where women can contribute and succeed.

In receiving this recognition, InMoment was noted for its recently launched “Women of InMoment” initiative, strong investment from the company’s CEO, executive team and broader leadership group, and promote-from-within culture. “Women of InMoment” is an internal global program designed to provide the company’s female staff with opportunities to mentor and learn from one another, develop leadership […]

Kristin Wright2018-02-10T23:25:22-07:00

Influence Podcast – Women Tech Council

In this Influence Podcast interview, we know you will sense the extraordinary determination and talent of Cydni Tetro and Sara Jones, two successful entrepreneurs who, in their “spare time” co-founded the Women Tech Council nine years ago, a scrappy not-for-profit that now has more than 10,000 members!

With a degree in computer science and an MBA, both from BYU, Cydni is a successful technologist and marketing guru who has built a career with some of the world’s largest brands like Disney, Microsoft, Marvel, Star Wars, Facebook, MLB, MLS, Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, Target, Walmart, and Toys R Us. She is the founder and CEO of 3DplusMe, a 3D printing software platform, that was recently acquired by WhiteClouds […]

Kristin Wright2017-04-12T04:58:15-07:00

3 Utah business leaders share the secrets to their success

Becoming a successful leader in business requires strength of mind, an indomitable spirit and the ability to guide others to high achievement.

Here are the stories of three women who took different career paths to business success, marshaling their talents, education and work ethic into business success. Their message? Following your dreams requires preparation.

Sara Jones

For Sara Jones, 42, her path to career success began with her birth in Korea and adoption by a Utah family at age 2, raised by two parents with two sisters.

As a child growing up, she became known as an academic overachiever, graduating from Jordan High in 1992, receiving her undergraduate degree […]

Kristin Wright2017-04-06T00:41:06-07:00

Utah Women in Tech: Let’s Start With the Problem

This is the first in a series of articles Beehive Startups will be publishing on what it’s like to be a woman working in Utah’s technology sector.

In 2014, Forbes ranked Utah the best state for business, citing Utah’s roots in the tech industry. Meanwhile, a Wallstreet 24/7 study ranked Utah as the worst place for women. The study states, “less than 31% of management positions were held by women in Utah.”

While it’s true that there are certain nuances to the Utah workforce that the study may have overlooked — like the […]

Kristin Wright2017-04-12T06:15:28-07:00

Utah Women in Tech: What’s Already Happening

So there’s a problem. Not enough women in the tech industry, and definitely not enough women in tech in Utah. And we know things need to change. We need to acknowledge that we have a problem. We need to let women know that they are needed and necessary in the industry. We need to recognize and overcome the stereotypes women face when entering the tech industry. And we need to stop making women feel like being a mother and a valuable part of the tech industry are mutually exclusive.

The good news is, there are already groups and individuals in Utah working to implement these changes, get more […]

Kristin Wright2017-04-06T00:53:05-07:00

It’s Time to Change One of Utah’s Tech Traditions

It’s no secret that the tech and startup scene here in Utah, and throughout the country, is predominantly controlled by males. While there are many organizations — such as Lean In, which was founded by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg — that have committed to assist women by offering support and inspiration to help them achieve their goals, as a society, and more specifically, as a tech community, there’s still a lot more work to be done.

So, what’s the plan? How can we solve this problem of inequality and gender bias within the tech community here in Utah?

Kristin Wright2017-04-06T00:57:33-07:00