i2Coalition Forms Gender Diversity & Equity Initiative to Promote Diversity In the Internet Infrastructure Industry

Members of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) have formed a first-of-its kind Gender Diversity & Equity Initiative to promote gender diversity and equality in the Internet infrastructure industry. The initiative will be spearheaded by a best practices working group of i2Coalition members that include the industry’s leading infrastructure companies including Acronis, DropMySite, Endurance International Group, ePages, GoDaddy, HEG, Rackspace, Odin, OX, ProfitBricks, Structure Research, and SpamExperts.

“In 2014, women represented only 26% of the computing workforce. This lack of gender diversity in our industry isn’t just bad for women, it’s bad for the entire tech community,” said Elisabeth Kurek, Chair of the Gender Diversity & Equity Initiative. “By diversifying our industry, we are committing ourselves to a future of greater innovation and problem-solving that can truly harness the power of the Internet to propel our global economy forward.”

To celebrate the formation of this important initiative, the working group will soon release a white paper on the state of gender equality in the Internet infrastructure industry, exploring everything from recruitment to the retention of highly skilled women in the community. The Gender Diversity & Equity Initiative – and their upcoming white paper – was formed to challenge the industry to learn more about the current employment climate and what individual companies can and should do to remove the barriers to women’s advancement.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting next step, not just for the growth and evolution of the i2Coalition, but for the Internet industry as a whole,” said Hilary van der Meulen, Co-chair. “The Gender Diversity & Equity Initiative will bring critical awareness to the lack of gender diversity in the field in an effort to encourage and support the women of the growing Internet infrastructure community.

The initiative is committed to three core values that will drive the focus and activities of the working group: advocate, network and volunteer. From advising and partnering with fellow women in technology organizations to the creation of an internship program that helps girls pursue their passion for technology and engineering, the initiative will serve as a critical voice representing the hosting industry on issues pertaining to gender equality and STEM education.