Ping Celebrates Inclusivity & International Women’s Day 2024

Each year, March 8th is recognized as International Women’s Day (IWD). While IWD has been observed for an amazing 113 years at this point, each year has a unique theme that is relevant to the world at large. Ping Identity made March 8th an official company holiday to recognize women’s achievements in our organization, as well as the global community. 

According to the IWD website, “The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world.” Needless to say, Ping Identity is both thrilled and honored to inspire inclusivity among our coworkers, peers, and greater network. 

To get a better understanding of what inclusivity means to people at Ping, I spoke with several female team members to get their perspectives on contemporary gender issues. I’m grateful to these women for sharing their hard-won insights learned from working in the tech space.

While the world experienced its share of challenges during COVID-19, some positive developments came from the pandemic. Of these, an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in society stands out among the rest. 

At Ping Identity, we have women leaders throughout the organization. In turn, we are firm believers that embracing diversity ensures that a range of perspectives, experiences, and talents are utilized at our organization. Yet, Ping is also well aware that there is plenty of work to be done when it comes to DEI in the tech space.

While women hold important roles in many industries today, the number of females employed in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers still needs to be much higher. As the Women in Technology International (WITI) website explains, “There is a clear lack of gender-inclusive representation in STEM, with women making up only 25% of all computer science-related jobs. To effect change, Remy Lyle, Sr. Director, Technical Enablement at Ping explains: “We need to remove any bias or stereotype that ‘only men’ have careers in tech, and showcase the intelligence and dedication women give to their careers.”  

From the early days of Silicon Valley to the modern identity landscape, progress in the tech industry is all about innovation. When it comes to creative problem-solving, we see time and again that diverse teams outperform groups of like-minded people. Claire Pitman, VP of Field and Digital Marketing, EMEA puts it this way: “The tech industry is always innovating and needs skilled individuals to match it. With innovation comes inspiration that feeds the mind and enables us to be even more creative and think outside the norm and push our boundaries to do more than we thought possible.”  

As engineers, designers, and marketers work together to push the boundaries of what's possible in tech, they also need to be mindful of their target market. As Jayne Lewis, Senior Director of Field & Digital Marketing, AP explains: “Promoting gender diversity in the tech sector ensures that the products and services developed are inclusive and cater to a broader audience.

While jobs in the IT space are still largely male-dominated, there have been some changing tides in recent years. The WITI website tells us that “women interested in pursuing STEM-related education are on the rise.” To further balance the scales, females in the IT industry are encouraged to embrace challenges, break barriers, and pave the way for future generations. 

Following the footsteps of civil rights leaders, it's often other women in the tech space that create opportunities for subsequent females to follow. Claire Pitman explains it like this: “As women, we walk the path that other women and men laid for us and we must ensure that the same path is improved upon for everyone who walks it after us.” 

A big part of overcoming challenges with gender stereotypes is simply being brave in the face of adversity. As Jasie Fon, Regional Vice President, Asia reminds us: “My advice is never let imposter syndrome hold you back, believe that you have what it takes to succeed, and be relentless in your pursuit of reaching your full potential.” 

For female team members at Ping Identity, the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship can’t be overstated. When women find success in the tech industry, they should be willing to give back and help other females. A big part of this process for women is believing in themselves and trusting their instincts. Staci Rodriguez, Sr Director of Channel, Americas adds to this idea, stating: “Be brave and ask for what you want, find mentors and champions, ask for the raise, ask for the job, ask for a seat at the table, and know that you don't have to be perfect. Once you make the leap, it's also important not to forget where you came from.”

While women need to remain diligent when facing adversity, employers must also make real efforts to inspire inclusion in the workplace. When women are supported and empowered by their organizations, it will only encourage other women to step forward. Staci Rodriguez shares her insights on this topic: “It starts first with awareness and the intent to have open eyes, an open mind, and willingness to create change. If you can understand where your organization is starting and where you want to go, you can start to build a path for improvement.” 

While DEI initiatives are a great starting point, we must also acknowledge that unconscious bias is a very real problem. As such, inclusivity needs to be more than an HR trend, it must be baked directly into your company culture. Jasie Fon explains, “It's about having the courage to speak up so we allow others to be more inclusive and avoid being unconsciously biased. Remy Lyle agrees, stating: “When employees hear and see their leaders prioritizing inclusivity, it promotes a culture of inclusivity. It is our responsibility as leaders to amplify the minority voices in the room.” 

To balance the gender scales in STEM-related jobs, executive leaders and HR departments must get on board 100%. Jayne Lewis puts it like this: “Individuals can contribute by actively listening to diverse voices, fostering open communication, and being allies to under-represented groups. Employers should prioritize diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices, create mentorship programs, and provide ongoing diversity training.”

In observance of IWD 2024, some women leaders at Ping Identity wanted to share exactly what the concept of inclusion means to them. To look again to Jasie Fon: “Workplace inclusion is about understanding, accepting and valuing the differences in people and stem from the company's culture and believing that a diverse and inclusive talent will bring about competitive advantage for the company's benefits. It's about providing an environment where employees feel safe and can bring their best self to work.” 

In keeping with this year's theme, Remy Lyle leaves us with some valuable final thoughts: “Inclusion means employees feeling like the workplace is a safe place to be themselves, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, and all things that identify a person. Inclusion means a culture of acceptance, positive discussions, and open-minded thinking from the leaders to the employees.”

Ping Identity is proud to have made March 8th an official company holiday in observance of International Women’s Day. Moreover, we take great pride in helping establish women’s equality in the workplace and beyond. 

Visit the Ping Identity DEI page to learn more about our company and values.