ThoughtWorks: Much More than Good Intentions

The gender gap in technology is well documented and broadly acknowledged, however most conversations focus on the problem rather than the real, impactful actions organizations are taking to build inclusive cultures. What programs and policies have forward-thinking companies implemented to yield real improvements in the numbers of women technologists they attract, retain and advance? And how do those program and policy decisions impact the number of women technologists they attract and retain?

The Anita Borg Institute (ABI) seeks to answer these questions through its groundbreaking program, Top Companies for Women Technologists. Top Companies uses a rigorous statistical methodology to analyze data from participating organizations and produce insights across three key areas: representation, employee experience and programs and policies. It is the industry benchmark for the representation of women technologists in the workforce. Using these results, we can inform participating organizations exactly how they compare to other organizations and identify the organizations with workplace cultures where women technologists can build rewarding careers.

Top Companies participants are taking concrete steps to help empower the next generation of women technologists. Of the 60 companies participating in 2016, 25 companies scored above the mean, and we named to the Leadership Index. We recognized the remaining 35 companies as members of the Change Alliance. From the 25 companies on the Leadership Index, one company had greater representation of women technologists at every level – from entry to executive...