Less Talk, More Action: How Top Tech Companies Innovate with Inclusion

The data is out, and it’s not pretty. Despite more awareness and billions invested, tech companies aren’t seeing the diversity needle move.

Enter code schools: an industry born out of the demand for developers. The accelerated learning model attracts aspiring devs from all backgrounds, creating a bigger and more diverse talent pool—faster.

But are all programs created equal? Will they really produce the skill level and diversity that you need?

In this open forum, leaders from Expedia, Zillow, Substantial, and others will share their challenges and successes in attracting diverse talent—from expanding their pipeline to vetting nontraditional candidates to leveraging the unique backgrounds of new hires.

Bring your questions to companies who have been there—and lived to tell the tale.

Who Should Attend:

• CTOs & Technical Hiring Managers who have hesitations about candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, fearing it will lower the “technical bar”
• Executives & Company Leaders who want to build more dynamic teams that can produce more innovative products and solutions
• HR, Managers, Executives, Diversity & Inclusion Leaders who are exploring ways to expand their diversity recruiting pipelines
• Community Leaders in the Public & Non-Profit Sector who want to continue to break down barriers to create a more inclusive Seattle community
• Prospective Students who want to sort through the jargon and find the right education for a meaningful career change
• Change Agents who want to be champions of diversity within their companies

Featured speakers:

Donte Parks, Vice President of Culture – Substantial

Annie Rihn, Vice President of Recruiting – Zillow

Deepthi Kondapalli, Director of Technology – Expedia

Jordan Shepherd, Program Director – WTIA Workforce Institute