6. Getting more women into tech roles: Marissa McNeelands on gender bias, hiring, sponsorship and allyship

Our guest today is Marissa McNeelands, the founder and CEO of Toast, a collective that connects and supports women in tech. Marissa has a Master's degree in Management with a focus on Artificial Intelligence from Queen's University, Canada, and hosts the Dear Data Podcast.

Marissa is an incredible leader, an advocate and vocal ally for women from all backgrounds, and I am thrilled to have her on Bold Hearted today!

6:10 Our true and scary stories about being the 'lonely only' in tech and engineering

10:22 The issue with lack of women representation in the making of digital products and models

14:30 When Marissa realized the extent of the problem in her Product teams not having any women... and how Toast was born!

17:14 How Toast helps organizations hire more women and build diversity

23:37 Having a 'personal board of directors'

27:25 Networking tips for introverts

33:48 My funniest networking story

36:20 Intersectionality in allyship

38:49 'Allyship should cost you something' and how white men and women can be better allies (<<<<----POWERFUL!)

43:16 What does Bold Hearted mean to Marissa?

You can find Marissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamcneelands/

Check out Toast here: trytoast.community

Use code FRIENDOFTOAST to get 10% off the first month!

Have you subscribed to the newsletter? SIGN UP HERE so you can be notified when a new episode drops!

Liked this episode? Leave a rating or review, and share with a friend!

Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.