#EmbraceEquity on International Women’s Day 2023
#EmbraceEquity on International Women’s Day 2023
Introduction
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are cornerstones of Ping Identity’s culture, and International Women’s Day (IWD) is a huge day in our calendar. We’ve made March 8th an official company holiday for everyone to take some time to celebrate women’s achievements and rally for equality in homes, workplaces and communities worldwide.
IWD takes place every year on March 8th, but there’s a fresh theme for each celebration. This year, the theme is #EmbraceEquity – and the goal is to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren't enough.
As the IWD organizers rightly say: “People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.”
The women of Ping are spearheading our IWD celebration in 2023 by promoting equitable action through mentorship platforms for young women.
Our first IWD initiative is to partner with Girls in STEM to help build opportunities for underrepresented communities. We’ve also worked together to define core values that the women of Ping can follow to achieve personal and professional success.
Ping Identity is a proud partner of the Girls in STEM initiative, which focuses on empowering girls and young women with the tools they need to succeed in fields like science, technology, engineering and math.
By partnering with Girls in STEM, we want to cultivate a new generation of female Identity professionals to follow in the footsteps of the current women of Ping.
For example, as part of our contribution to IWD 2023, we’ve crafted a quiz that helps teenage girls learn how to harness the power of identity management to stay safe online.
At Ping, we don’t just pay lip-service to championing every identity. We’re proud to employ outstanding women in a wide range of senior leadership positions, from Chief Legal Officer to Director of Channel Marketing.
By talking with these leaders and with women in every area of our organization, we’ve defined four core values that we believe can help women succeed in STEM careers.
At Ping, we believe that it’s people’s passions—not their genders—that determine their career success and personal fulfilment.
Shelly Koglin, our Director of Channel Marketing, reflects: “Whether it's STEM or not, women should feel encouraged to follow the career path that calls to them without inhibition. Just know you are capable of succeeding in whatever field you choose.”
Larkin Kay, VP of Sales Enablement at Ping, agrees: “I encourage young women to pursue what they love. Don’t overthink your choices. Careers today aren’t linear, and it takes many experiences to make great leaders.”
The women of Ping see challenges as opportunities for creativity, innovation, and growth.
Shelly Koglin explains, “I've always loved the challenges associated with being in tech. Most of my career has revolved around start-ups, so I've thrived on constant change and innovation, and savored the opportunity to have my fingerprints on the solutions that drive a company's success.”
Finding a work-life balance that works for you is crucial for personal happiness and career success.
Larkin Kay’s top tip is to prioritize weekend time: “During the week, it’s a serious blur of work and life. I take my weekends to reboot, lay in bed, snuggle, get outside, cook great meals, and see live music.”
Allison Te Hira, Ping’s Director of Marketing APAC, emphasizes the importance of balance: “Go to the gym for your mental and physical health. It’s also important to have friends who don't care about your job and never want to talk about it! And remember to smell the flowers and look out the window to watch the birds.”
For everyone at Ping, inclusivity is not just a moral imperative – it’s good for business too.
Our Chief Legal Officer Shalini Sharma says: “If you want to retain female talent, there should be deliberate career paths for women up to the highest levels of an organization. The data is indisputable – the best-performing organizations have a diversity of talent and perspectives.”
And Divya Handa, Sr. Director of Marketing EMEA shares her perspective too: “Execs and leadership need to work towards impact and not just intent. Businesses must be accountable for creating impact. They need to provide opportunities for growth and career progression to help retain female talent.”
At Ping, we’re proud to have such incredible female team members throughout our organization from entry-level to the C-suite. And in turn, the women of Ping are proud to be part of a company that defines itself so deeply through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
To learn more about working at Ping Identity, check out our careers page.
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