“We need more women in the boardroom,” Chief Marketing Officer, Jamie Domenici says, “and as I’ve grown into an executive leadership position, I now have a unique opportunity for my voice to be heard a little more loudly than most.” As Executive Sponsor for the WE@GoTo employee resource group, Jamie works to create space for those who are underrepresented – or face gender-based biases – across the company to engage as their authentic selves.
And we are filling that space with a discussion across GoTo’s six ERGs – and among allies – about this year’s International Women's campaign theme #EmbraceEquity. Equity is about giving people what they need to be successful, and through the stories below, we recognize that not everybody has the same needs.
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For male professionals, ask yourself, "How would I want my daughter, niece, or sister to be treated in the corporate world, and how would I talk to her about her tech career?" – Natalie Revell, Account Executive, Mid-Market, Leader of ADAPT@GoTo.
Natalie, a female sales representative, shares her experience of feeling tokenized as the only woman in the sales team at past startups. However, she found inspiration in Jill Harris, the Vice President of RSG Sales, and Annie Brown, the Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at GoTo, who have broken through gender bias in their careers. "If we see it, we can be it," Natalie emphasizes the influence women at the C-level have on other women.
Natalie points out that the idea of women as breadwinners is not ingrained in society, making it harder for women to discuss career growth. To shift this narrative, Natalie believes that women need equal access to opportunities, such as the chance to discuss career goals. She encourages her male counterparts to understand the difference between equity and equality by asking themselves, "How would I want my daughter, niece, or sister to be treated in the corporate world, and how would I talk to her about her tech career?"
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"We have to work hard to break away from the patriarchal culture that we were raised in." – Fabio Cunha, Senior Solutions Consultant
"There is a stereotype that tech is a 'rational' industry and that women are more emotional," Fabio highlights as a unique challenge that women face in this historically male-oriented profession, "but to me, this premise is wrong." Fabio argues that we need more human emotion in all areas to serve customers better. "For this," Fabio says, "we need people who care, and women can contribute a lot." As a member of an engagement committee in Brazil, Fabio facilitated a panel for women to discuss their daily challenges. To support women year-round, Fabio encourages exploring this topic beyond ERGs and throughout company events and meetings to increase exposure to scenarios requiring equitable action. "We have to work hard to break away from the patriarchal culture that we were raised in."
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“Embracing equity means being intentional about how you can help yourself and others to bring about change; everyone has a part to play in advancing equity.”– Brittany Mandeville, Senior IT Product Manager, Member of BE@GoTo
Brittany shares that being the only woman in a meeting or on a team can be isolating, especially as a woman of color. "It can be hard to see a path to the top when you don't see anyone who looks like you there." However, she credits her access to mentorship for supporting her growth. Brittany was invited to join a minority women in leadership program by a GoTo leader. She says this opportunity made her feel valued by the company.
Brittany believes that one of the most important things a company can do is to acknowledge the existence of biases and take measures to mitigate them. "Embracing equity means being intentional about how you can help yourself and others to bring about change; everyone has a part to play in advancing equity," she says.
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“Thank you to all the women who have been there for me. Your coaching, guidance, and support has been the catalyst to my growth.” – Andrew DeCataldo, Corporate Messaging and Communications Manager, Treasurer of PRIDE@GoTo
Andrew reminds us that Women's History Month is a time for celebration. He takes the opportunity to lift up and celebrate the accomplishments of the amazing women he works with daily, using platforms like Slack and employee recognition programs like Bravo. As part of his role, Andrew ensures that panelists and presenters for companywide meetings represent the GoTo community, making every effort to include women frequently.
Andrew believes it's essential to educate people on the struggles faced by women, specifically in the workforce, and to speak up when inequality is present. His many mentors have inspired him, including his three successful sisters, his mother, who raised five children while getting her degree, and countless female friends. "Thank you to all the women who have been there for me. Your coaching, guidance, and support have catalyzed my growth."
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“Delivering tangible results and driving actionable change is crucial to the success of an ERG,” says Jamie, “and if you can prove that you are committed to employees feeling more included in the workplace, people are more likely to engage.” At GoTo, ERGs serve a dual purpose of connecting employees and influencing corporate practices and policies. “Engagement looks different for every employee, but what should be the same is the opportunity that each of us have to celebrate who we are and educate each other on what improvements we can make to truly embrace equity.”
