Building to a Global AppNexus Community Through Inclusiveness
Below is an article originally written by PowerToFly Partner AppNexus, and published on July 25, 2018. Go to AppNexus' page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.
In 2018, AppNexus is building to a global community in which each AppNexian feels safe being their authentic self in all aspects of work, through inclusiveness. An environment in which this is possible necessitates the development of best-in-class practices, through inward reflection on AppNexus' progress and misses thus far, and outward observation of international employment trends and metrics.
Led by Antoinette Hamilton, our Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Experience, we have created a program of diversity and inclusion objectives for 2018 that we will report the results of in Q2 of 2019.
They fall into three key areas:
(1) Diversify the Pipeline
- 50/50 gender equity in new hires at manager and above level
- 29% of tech roles filled by women
- 25% of new hires in the United States are People of Color
- 50% women and non-binary or underrepresented group diversity in our Summer internship class
Diversity of thought triggers innovation. While tech companies have historically sought "Culture Fits," AppNexus is looking for "Culture Adds" – new hires who bring heterogenous skills and perspectives to our teams. Diversifying our pipeline thus encompasses tracks to proactively source and attract diverse candidates through external partnerships and events, and fortify our hiring journey with bias interrupters, which ensure that in every step of the process, stakeholders are aware of unconscious obstacles to diverse hiring.
(2) Conscious Inclusion
- 75% employee participation in diversity and inclusion trainings like Ally Skills Training and Inclusive Leadership
- Increase engagement with underrepresented communities by leveraging the AppNexus affinity groups to galvanize external community initiatives
- Launch a global "back to work" framework for AppNexus parents, looking at the most appropriate and supportive structure for employees returning from parental leave
Conscious inclusion is the step following the acknowledgement of unconscious bias: Now that I am aware, how am I going to act? AppNexus will continue to provide and require diversity and inclusion trainings internationally, as well as expanding analyses of our workplace practices and policies, to ensure every aspect of our daily community experience bolsters our employees and affinity groups.
(3) Global Belonging
- Stand up a new global (versus US-centric) Diversity & Inclusion Council to oversee our initiatives
- Build diversity and inclusion geo-specific actions plans to drive inclusiveness across our international markets
- Create tools to enable business- and purpose-driven affinity groups
AppNexus offices span the globe, and we strive to create diversity and inclusion plans that fit each region. With an eye to global employee feedback, we are building geo-specific action plans for our global teams that leverage and expand our affinity groups, redefine what it means to be an AppNexus Culture Champion, and engage our international offices across events like OutNexus Pride Week and our Women's Leadership Forum.
Bridging these three categories is the goal to develop external partnerships with organizations that support inclusion in tech, people with disabilities, and veterans (in our US market.)
We are excited to methodically set about these goals, building on our momentum and our employees' unwaveringly impressive and expressive engagement. At the heart of all our efforts lies the belief that hiring the best and hiring diverse teams are one and the same. We are stronger together when we are different, and so is AppNexus.
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Diversity Reboot 2021: The One Hundred Day Kickoff
<p><strong>When</strong>: February 1-5, 2021</p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Free!</p><p><strong>Where to register: </strong><a href="https://summit.powertofly.com/" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>We had to include our own Diversity Reboot on our list of the best diversity and inclusion events to attend in 2021 because we know firsthand how the quality of 100+ expert speakers, the enthusiasm of 10,000 participants, and the cutting-edge tech that enables meaningful virtual networking and job fairs combine to create a truly epic five-day experience. This year, the theme 100 Day Kickoff harnesses the energy of the new government's first 100 days in office to help jump-start personal and professional plans to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. </p><p>Following the February summit, we'll have a monthly series of smaller virtual summits on topics spanning everything from returnships to LGBTQ+ advocacy, so be sure to stay tuned for updates!<br></p>The Future of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2021
<p><strong>When</strong>: February 3-4, 2021</p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Free</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://www.hr.com/en/webcasts_events/virtual_events/upcoming_virtual_events/the-future-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-2021_kcxf8glq.html#detail" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>This virtual conference put on by HR.com focuses on how social movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have pushed DEI at work beyond legal compliance and into a major factor of any company or brand's culture, employee engagement, and performance. Topics include how to uncover and resolve pay gaps across your team and hire top-level diverse talent.</p>Workplace Revolution: From Talk to Collective Action
<p><strong>When</strong>: March 8-12, 2021</p><p><strong>Where</strong>: Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register: </strong>$820</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://cvent.me/ZQ4BbE" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>The Forum on Workplace Inclusion's 33rd annual conference includes 12 session tracks, from DEI Strategy to Social Responsibility, along with 59 workshops and daily networking sessions. This year's theme focuses on one question: "What will it take to start a workplace revolution that moves us from talk to action?"</p>Diversity: How Employers Can Match Words With Deeds
<p><strong>When</strong><strong>: </strong>May 19, 2021</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register</strong><strong>: </strong>Early bird registration is $49 and general admission is $149</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://hopin.com/events/may-virtual-conference-diversity-how-employers-can-match-words-with-deeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here</a></p><p>From Day One is hosting monthly conferences in 2021 focused on different ways for companies to foster strong relationships with their customers, communities, and employees. May's half-day virtual event is focused specifically on how companies can make diversity promises that don't fall flat and features workshops, panels, and a fireside chat.</p>Hire with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
<p><strong>When:</strong> August 18, 2021</p><p><strong>Where: </strong>Virtual</p><p><strong>Price to register: </strong>$195</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://www.hci.org/conferences/2021-virtual-conference-hire-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-august-18-2021" target="_blank">Here</a></p><p>This conference put on by the Human Capital Institute is one of 12 virtual conferences that HCI has planned for 2021. This one focuses on fair and inclusive talent acquisition, including how to attract diverse talent, implement inclusive hiring practices, and addressing bias in employee selection. Other conferences will focus on optimizing talent strategy, engaging employees, and developing your workforce.</p>Virtual Grace Hopper Celebration 2021
<p><strong>When:</strong> September 26-29, 2021</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> Virtual, broadcast from Chicago, Illinois</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Was $799 for regular access to the virtual conference in 2020; 2021 pricing hasn't yet been announced</p><p><strong>Where to register:</strong> <a href="https://ghc.anitab.org/attend/registration/" target="_blank">Here</a>, though 2021 registration wasn't live at the time of writing</p><p>Grace Hopper might be the best-known conference for women in tech. Through keynote presentations, networking sessions, job fairs, and community-building activities, vGHC reached over 30,000 women for their 2020 conference and are expecting even more in 2021! While not a conference focused exclusively on diversity and inclusion, many speakers plan to focus their talks on creating environments for women to thrive in the male-dominated tech field.</p>Inclusion 2021
<p><strong>When:</strong> October 25-27, 2021</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> Virtual and in person in Austin, Texas as of now</p><p><strong>Price to register:</strong> Hasn't yet been announced</p><p><strong>Where to register: </strong><a href="https://conferences.shrm.org/inclusion" target="_blank">Here</a>, though 2021 registration wasn't live at the time of writing</p><p>The Society for Human Resource Management's biggest conference of the year saw 1,200 DEI leaders participate last year; SHRM hopes to see even more come to learn, be inspired, and to walk away with a playbook of implementable strategies to create truly inclusive workplace cultures.</p>AfroTech 2021
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