It was great to get to be part of the MnTech Tech Talent event today with Caroline Karanja as she shared the details of the new Tech Inclusion Alliance, and then a brief panel discussion with Tarek Tomes and myself on what companies are doing that is working to bring more diverse talent into technology.

My key points:

1. Companies need to solve this problem or it will limit their growth as they are unable the available talent pool isn’t growing fast enough.
2. Companies can do more to lower the barriers to bringing talent into their organization. Technology choices are hiring choices!

The video for the session is up now.

Great night joining the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony tonight and recognizing so many young women that are making their mark in STEM. I also want to welcome our four #TeamSPS summer interns Ezigbo, Caroline, Claire, and Cecelia to SPS Commerce. I can’t wait to see what you create! Lastly, a huge thanks to Jade Denson of MnTech for emceeing and bringing so much fun and energy to the event!

See ceremonies from 2020, 2019, and 2016.

Learned a lot this morning at the MHTA Tech Talent 2020 event! A wealth of data from Grant Riewe, Erin Olson, Sri Koneru, and Tim Welsh. #TechTalent

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The Success Stories from Minnesota Workplaces at todays MHTA Tech Talent 2020 event were very informative. It was great to hear what is working for everyone. This event is only in it’s 2nd year but is already a mainstay for the community. #TechTalent

It was a privilege to be able to share some perspective and success stories at the MHTA Tech Talent 2020 event about what we are doing at SPS Commerce to attract, retain, and develop technology talent! #TechTalent

Attending the premier of Solid State: Minnesota’s High Tech History hosted by MHTA.

Good panel conversation following screening of Solid State.

At MHTA Tech Talent event today, participating in panel shortly. Mike McNamara, CIO of Target, kicking it off. Event focused on efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in technology. Looking forward to sharing our progress at SPS Commerce.

Some very insightful data being shared this morning at MHTA Tech Talent event from Deb Broberg of RealTime Talent, Allison Liuzzi of Minnesota Compass Project, Matt Lewis of Make It. MSP.!

Improving diversity In tech: York Solutions; Genesis10; Prime Digital Academy; Creating IT Futures; Software Guild; Summit Academy; Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence; Dougherty Family College; Apprenti; Keyot Crew212; Twin Cities Rise; Genesys Works; SciTechsperience

It was great to be able to share the impressive work we’ve done at SPS Commerce to make a technology career more inclusive and accessible. A lot of progress and momentum for more! Thanks to Amy Patton for the picture!

Thought provoking opening presentation by Susan Bower on workforce trends.

Smart overview of the IoT landscape from @iotwatch.

Evolution of Mobile talk from Mike Bollinger.