Driving Social Change in Tech: Advancing Gender Equality with Emma Jones | Leading Change Podcast Ep. 22

In this episode, we explore the intersection of Social Impact and Gender Equality in the tech industry with Emma, an industry leader and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). With over 30 years of experience in talent management and people strategy, Emma shares her journey working in male-dominated workplaces and the systemic barriers women face in the tech sector.

Emma’s passion for driving change led her to found Project F, an initiative aimed at reducing the number of women leaving tech mid-career due to inhospitable environments. She also launched T-EDI Standards, an Australian-first set of national industry standards designed to tackle cultural, structural, and systemic issues in tech.

We discuss the need for empowering male leaders, why many DEI initiatives fail, and how adopting the T-EDI Standards is a powerful tool to create lasting change in the tech ecosystem. From confronting bias to designing a more inclusive future for women in tech, Emma provides actionable insights on how the tech industry can drive positive social impact and improve gender balance.

Chapters:

06:50 - The intersection of social value and social impact in tech

13:05 - Addressing bias and systemic challenges in tech

16:40 - Why many DEI initiatives miss the mark (Reel: Emma on ineffective DEI strategies)

26:50 - Women in tech: Overcoming the mid-career exodus (Reel: Emma on why 51% leave)

29:47 - Introduction to the T-EDI Standards: National industry standards for tech

40:00 - How adopting the T-EDI Standards drives long-term systemic change

44:34 - The future of Australia’s tech sector: Normalising gender balance and flexibility

Links:

Connect with Emma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msjonesinsydney/

T-EDI Standards: https://www.tedistandards.com/

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This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquires please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/