NEW ORLEANS - Southeast Louisiana's technology sector took a major step toward greater inclusivity and empowerment with the launch of Women+ in Technology of Southeast Louisiana (WIT+ of SELA) in New Orleans.
With a mission focused on innovation, mentorship, and professional development, Women+ in Technology fosters a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem at all levels, including leadership positions.
Nationally, the underrepresentation of women in tech persists, with women holding an estimated 27% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) positions according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is a significant increase compared with the early 2000s when women only held 9% of STEM jobs.
In Louisiana, the technology workforce is growing at a rate that has surpassed the national average of 3.2% growth per annum. There are several reasons for this, including Louisiana’s expanding digital sectors, incentive programs like the state’s competitive tax incentives, grant programs for digital interactive media and software development, LED’s FastStart program, incubators and accelerators, partnerships between universities and the private sector, programs such as STEM NOLA with coding bootcamps and other STEM projects, and budding venture capital, angel investors, and mentorship programs for startups.
With increases in the number of tech jobs available, along with flourishing investment and startup opportunities, groups like Women+ in Technology in Southeast Louisiana have the potential to have an even bigger impact.
Attendees at the Women+ in Technology launch connected with industry professionals, shared information about tech sector opportunities, and heard from distinguished speakers, including Tiffany Benitez, CPRW, CARW, MBA, the National President of WIT+. The event also featured presentations by the organization’s board members, many of whom credited female mentors for helping them advance in their careers.
The WIT+ of Southeast Louisiana leadership team is comprised of:
• Tiffany Benitez: National President & Founder, with expertise in project management and IT solutions.
• Tara Kendrick: National Expansion Lead, driving efforts to bring WIT+ programs to new regions.
• Bailey Vathy: Chapter President in New Orleans, whose background includes work as an IT consultant.
• Melanie Dixon: who is Chapter Operations Lead and IS Director of Automation Platforms at Ochsner Health with extensive experience in project management and technology innovation, managing platforms like Salesforce and ServiceNow.
WIT+ of SELA’s certification & education programs focus on equipping women with the skills needed to excel, including providing networking, certification and education programs.
The organization’s initiatives also include outreach to younger generations through partnerships with local schools and communities aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in technology. Their Girls in Tech program, designed for students aged 12-18, focuses on awareness, education, and development to inspire the next generation of female tech leaders.
The work of organizations like Women+ in Technology of Southeast Louisiana (WIT+ of SELA) actively address disparities in the proportion of women in tech thereby helping to create a more dynamic and diverse workforce and tech sector.
