Open Source Summit North America 2017

While the volume on the industry-wide ‘women in tech’ narrative has never been higher, it lacks an intimate understanding of what it’s like for women in tech today, right now. Until we really understand their stories, we’ll be unable to harness the visibility this topic is receiving for real impact or change. The result so far is clear: stagnation or decline in the number of women in CS programs or in tech overall. Cloer is in production on a documentary film titled “Chasing Grace’ that seeks to address the obstacles women face and share stories of how these women are navigating alternative paths, sometimes redefining what it means to be successful. The film aims to provide the blueprint for other women in tech to navigate their own journeys. You can’t be what you can’t see. The stories from the film are unique because they’re all too rare, but they’re also so compelling that they can inspire other girls and women to seek their own pathways to building technology, leading companies, earning more and changing the world around them. Women represent more than 50 percent of the population but aren’t given the same opportunities to succeed. This inequality impacts each woman individually but its impact is much bigger than that. In a world where all jobs are increasingly tech jobs, if women can’t access the same opportunities in tech or choose not to pursue them, the very fabric of our economy is at risk.

This panel will include 2-3 women from the film, who will share their stories. Cloer will moderate. The trailer for the film and its Kickstarter campaign will launch during this time, so the topic will be timely and relevant. The Summit attendees will be among the first to see the trailer.