Subscribe| Unsubscribe| Update your subscription profile|Archived Newsletters
Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter
Volume 16
Spring 2012
Welcome to Microsoft's Diversity and Inclusion newsletter, where you can find the latest news about Microsoft's diversity related initiatives and partnerships, learn what's new in your area and access valuable resources.
Related Links
Diversity and Inclusion at Microsoft
Unlimited Potential Grants
Corporate Citizenship
Partners in Learning
Accessibility at Microsoft
Careers at Microsoft
Microsoft on the Issues
Legal Newsroom
Welcome
Leading Change
Welcome to the Spring 2012 issue of Microsoft’s Global Diversity & Inclusion newsletter.
The practice of Diversity & Inclusion reflects much of what is going on in the global business world that surrounds us– it is in a state of constant evolution and change. Change, as we have begun to see, is a core expectation in today’s workplace and marketplace. As Diversity & Inclusion practitioners, it is important that my team helps to driving this change and remain focused on building a more inclusive, healthier, and engaging workplace. This is the essence of the shift from Diversity to Inclusion. Diversity is a powerful enabler of change and a great way to connect through business, but we must be willing to leverage it through inclusion, in order to see results. After all, Inclusion is about how our differences and similarities come together to drive business goals and outcomes.
As I think about how we are driving change across Microsoft, I think about what we are doing with our customers. Microsoft understands that building the best software means incorporating the talents of our varied workforce into our products, and recognizing the priorities of our diverse customer, supplier and partner base. From a diversity and inclusion perspective, our progress over the last few months has been to better understand the changing needs of the various generational groups within our workforce, as well as our customer base, in order to better serve them. With four distinct generations of talent in the workplace, we must have a profound understanding of what each of these generations has to offer, as well as their motivations, values and expectations. These generational differences can affect our company’s recruiting strategy as our ‘go to market’ strategy. Additionally, we are focused on advancements with our accessible technologies in Windows 8 which will be our most accessible version of Windows to-date.
In the US, we have also been driving change as it relates to some important national holidays and events. In January, our employees were invited to participate in our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, which encourages people to foster change in their own thinking by reflecting on the values of Dr. King’s Dream and integrating diversity and inclusion in their daily lives. During Black History Month in February, we were focused on how today’s students think about technology careers through events like our 21st annual Blacks at Microsoft Minority Student Day and a visit to Morehouse College by President of Microsoft North America Robert Youngjohns.
Change has also come to our Board of Directors, as we recently announced that John W. Thompson, chief executive officer of privately held Virtual Instruments and former chairman and CEO of Symantec Corp., was appointed as a new member.
In March, we shifted our efforts globally to celebrate the achievements of not only Microsoft women, but all women, as part of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Our company supported 45 events happening around the world celebrating and advocating for women in technology.
Microsoft has consistently been a leader in adopting corporate policies and supporting public initiatives to protect the rights of its LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) employees. As such, Microsoft has served as an agent of change by joining with five other companies to recently endorse legislation to legalize gay marriage in Washington State. We view this decision as beneficial to both our company and workforce.
We recognize that many of the stories you will read below have a connection to our broader communities – a connection that is representative of the markets and people we serve. We hope you see Microsoft’s work here as an integration point into what the world is doing more broadly around diversity and inclusion. I like to look at it as bringing diversity and inclusion to life at Microsoft based on larger imperatives that we all care about.
Gwen Houston
General Manager, Global Diversity and Inclusion
Market Innovation: Generational and Accessibility Advancements
AARP and Microsoft Release New Study on How Online Communication Connects Generations
AARP and Microsoft recently released “Connecting Generations,” a new research report that examines how people of all ages are using online communication and social networking to enhance their family relationships. The report reveals three key pieces of evidence showing that online communication is bridging the generation gap:
- 83 percent of those surveyed (ranging in age from 13–75 years old) consider going online to be a “helpful” form of communication among family members.
- 30 percent of grandparents of teens/young adults agree that connecting online has helped them better understand their teen/young adult grandchildren, and 29 percent of teens/young adults say the same about their grandparents.
- Teens agree that the computer increases both the quantity (70 percent) and quality (67 percent) of their communication with family members living far away.
Microsoft Lync is helping students at the Washington State School for the Blind learn algebra and software programming remotely.
Windows 8 Eases Accessibility for Physically Challenged
Network World
The next version of Windows beefs up accessibility features that let those who have impaired vision, hearing, or mobility easily navigate PCs.
Microsoft’s Local Language Program Bridges Languages, Cultures and Technology
In recognition of International Mother Language Day, Microsoft recently highlighted the company’s Local Language Program (LLP), which enables the development of custom language translation. LLP enables 1.7 billion people worldwide to access technology in their own language, while striving to preserve those local languages and cultural identities. “Providing technology in a native language is critical to helping people access the tools they need to create better economic opportunities,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president of Worldwide Education at Microsoft. “Language preservation and support also help preserve cultural identities for the next generation of learners.”
Representation: Building and Nurturing Diverse Talent
Robert Youngjohns Visits Students from University of South Florida and Morehouse College
Recently, Robert Youngjohns, President of Microsoft North America,visited African American students in Florida and Georgia to better understand what issues they are facing today and to get them excited about the future of technology.
In Tampa, Youngjohnsmet four students from the University of South Florida who recently won a contest for developing apps for the Windows Phone. These students did not have any previous coding experience and by just participating in our own Windows Phone appLab, they were able to code, test and publish their applications in the Marketplace in a short amount of time. The apps ranged from developing a campus map tool to an educational app for children. Youngjohnswas most impressed by the Nifty Shopper app that was developed to help you find the best coupons available when you are doing your grocery shopping.
Then, in Atlanta Youngjohnspresented to about 50 of the top students at Morehouse College. The event was part of a series where Morehouse gives selected students the opportunity to interact directly with senior leaders from a variety of businesses.Youngjohns says: “These young men are amongst the best and brightest in the nation. Talking to them renewed my passion for our Microsoft Academy for College Hires program. We need the vitality that this population can bring to our business. They will bring new ideas, new insights and make us a better company.”
Blacks at Microsoft Minority Student Days: “How Do You Kinect?”
On February 10 (and February 17 in Charlotte, NC), Microsoft demonstrated its commitment to diversity by hosting the 21st annual Blacks at Microsoft Minority Student Day (BMSD).This event takes place in 10 cities across the U.S. and reaches more than 1,500 minority students. The keynote for nine of the February 10thlocations was delivered by Kudo Tsunoda, General Manager in Microsoft Gaming Studios. The keynote speaker for the February 17 event in Charlotte was delivered by John Brown, associate director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) (pictured left). Brown was joined at the event by an impressive line-up of other education and political leaders. The goal of the BMSD annual event is to provide high-school students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds with information about the tools, resources, and career opportunities available to them in the technology industry and specifically at Microsoft.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Microsoft’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 16, 2012 highlighted the strides made towards realizing Dr. King, Jr.’s Dream, as well as the challenges that remain. Microsoft offered a special program for employees, family and friends that recognized Dr. King’s legacy by “Celebrating Dr. King’s Dream: Turning Inspiration into Action” with host Robert Youngjohns, President of Microsoft North America, and special guests Microsoft General Counsel and Executive VP of Legal and Corporate Affairs Brad Smith and American film director, producer, writer and actor Spike Lee. Microsoft actively encourages all employees to incorporate the spirit and values of Dr. King’s Dream and integrate diversity and inclusion in their daily lives.
Microsoft’s Brandon Foy Featured in Black Enterprise
“BE NEXT: 13 Young Innovators Driving the Business of Design”
The importance of good design transcends all industries. However, aspiring designers are often discouraged from pursuing careers in the arts because of the perception that there is no money to be made. But today, more than ever, technology has extended its influence on the design world and created a variety of career opportunities that will extend well into the future. Check out how this group of innovative BE Nexters (21-35-year-old) are using their passion for design to drive business and create their own enterprises.
Microsoft Profile: Brandon Foy, 24, User Experience (UX) Designer for Windows
Foy was hired as a UX Designer for Windows after his phone and concept video promoting the virtues of Microsoft's WP7 mobile OS went viral. As an UX designer, Foy creates the animations for Windows, Windows Live and Windows Portals.
Microsoft Employee Profiles: African American History Month
Microsoft’s Marietta Davis, Microsoft District General Managerfor the Greater Southeast region, and Richard Neal, Director, Release Services, were featured in the African American History Month special feature for Profiles in Diversity Journal.
Read the profiles, which start on page 54.
Blacks at Microsoft Strengthen the Talent Pipeline
BAM, the first Microsoft-sponsored diversity group, launched the educational program to help minority students realize career goals in the technology field. The program provides scholarships to high school seniors and connects BAM members with scholarship recipients, helping to forge links for mentoring throughout their college careers. The program has been successful in bringing graduates to Microsoft as employees. Microsoft's internship program provides mentoring and activities for black college students. Many travel thousands of miles to Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to work as interns during the summer. The students value the networking and professional relationships they establish with Blacks at Microsoft members.
Inclusion: Celebrating the Achievements of Women
Celebrating Women’s History Month, International Women's Day
March celebrates Women's History Month, including International Women’s Day on March 8. At Microsoft, we focus our attention this month to celebrate women and learn about their impact on the world by offering many events and learning engagement opportunities for all employees. Part of these efforts included the launch of Microsoft’sSit with Me campaign in conjunction with International Women's Day on March 8th to spark conversation and drive action. Our goal is to encourage both women and men to highlight the need for more women to pursue careers in technology, celebrate the achievements of women in technology, and encourage women to stay on the technical track throughout their career. The National Center for Women & Information Technology developed Sit With Me as a platform to spark conversation, drive action, and show solidarity about the important role women play in creating future technology. An iconic red chair encourages women and men to sit down and show solidarity about the important role women play in creating future technology. Sit with Me Stories from around the world can be enjoyed here
Microsoft Appoints Laura Ipsen as Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector
Microsoft recently announced that Laura K. Ipsen will join the company as corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector organization. She will lead the company’s sales and marketing organization serving government, public safety and national security, education, and nonprivatized healthcare customers in more than 100 countries.
Anita Borg Institute Announces 2012 Women of Vision Award Winner: Jennifer Chayes, Distinguished Scientist and Managing Director of Microsoft Research New England
The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology announced today the winners of this year's Anita Borg Women of Vision Awards and Microsoft’s Jennifer Chayes is the Women of Vision Award winner in the Leadership category. She is recognized for her work based on the impact she has had on computer science through her leadership in building research communities that bridge theoretical computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics, economics and computational biology. Through her founding and leadership of the theory group at Microsoft Research, and more recently the Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, she has influenced and mentored hundreds of researchers. In her own research she has spearheaded extremely important foundational work on dynamic random networks in theoretical computer science.
Phoebe Ash Featured in Little Pink Book
“Trends: Women in Technology”
The creation of new technology also means new job opportunities. That should be great news for women. So why has womens’ presence in this field remained nearly stagnant for the past two decades? Women earn fewer degrees in technology today than they did 25 years ago. Plus, women hold just one-fourth of tech jobs – even though tech companies with more women in top positions have a 34 percent higher return on investment. How can more women succeed in technology? "In almost any career, you have to continue to learn,” says Phoebe Ash, Senior Software Developer Engineer in Test Lead for Microsoft.
Debra Dove Featured in ESSENCE Magazine
"Upwardly Mobile"
Tech whiz Debra Dove, Principal Program Manager in the Microsoft Advertising Group, says if you are willing to take on the tough jobs, success is guaranteed.
Microsoft's boyd Ranked among Boston's Most Powerful Women in Tech
Boston Globe
Microsoft Senior Researcher danah boyd, one of the world's leading authorities on how young people use technology and social media, is included in a list of the Boston area's 10 most powerful women in technology.
Feedback
We'd like to hear from you! To provide feedback on this newsletter or diversity and inclusion initiatives at Microsoft send us email.
/