Winners of Diversity in Tech Awards 2023 announced

Pictured (L-R): Jefferson Cowhig (EY), Trusha Dajee (EY), Sri Durga Yadav (EY), Paul Leahy (Oracle) Ronald Dalbhanjan (EY) and Ciaran Hickey (EY) – EY, winners of the Diverse Company of the Year Award (Presented by Paul Leahy, Oracle)

Professional services firm Ernst & Young won Diverse Company of the year. Carolan Lennon of SalesForce received prestigious Grace Hopper accolade.

Ernst & Young was named Diverse Company of the Year at the 2023 Diversity In Tech Awards, in partnership with J.P. Morgan.

The awards took place yesterday evening, 27 September, at the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin. The professional services company was honoured for its commitment to diversity across its Irish operation, while Carolan Lennon, Country Leader for Salesforce Ireland, was awarded the Grace Hopper accolade for individual achievement.

Both were among the list of honourees at the prestigious ceremony, which recognises individuals and organisations who are striving to create a more diverse, inclusive workplace. The event attracts entries from over 170 companies across Ireland, Europe, the United Arab Emirates and the USA.

Dr. Patten

Yesterday evening’s programme was hosted by Ola Majekodunmi, Broadcaster, Writer, and Producer, and also included a keynote address by Dr. Norah Patten, Aeronautical Engineer, Citizen Scientist-Astronaut Candidate and Changemaker on her “Mission to Launch through the Glass Ceiling to The Stars”.

“Let’s rewind for a moment to that US-Soviet Space Race era of the 1950s,” she said to captive attendees, “where Cold War politics fuelled ambitions to be the first: the first satellite, the first person in space, the first human on the moon.”

Dr. Patten spoke about “human spaceflight and exploration, and how it has evolved over the past few decades.”

“Let’s rewind for a moment to that US-Soviet Space Race era of the 1950s,” she said to captive attendees, “where Cold War politics fuelled ambitions to be the first: the first satellite, the first person in space, the first human on the moon.

“At that time, women were simply not eligible to apply because they were barred from military flying, which was a requirement to become an astronaut. It took about 20 years for NASA to have a more inclusive astronaut corps when, in 1983 Sally Ride, a physicist from California, launched on STS-7 becoming the first American woman in space. Just two months later, Guy Bluford launched on STS-8 becoming the first African American in space.”

Pictured: Carolan Lennon, Salesforce Ireland – Winner of the Grace Hopper Award

Panel Discussion

The programme also featured a unique panel discussion ‘The ROI of DEI: Driving Business Profitability through Diversity and Inclusion.’ Those on the panel included Steven Fuller of Race In STEM, Angelika Sharygina of Mindguardian, Kyran O’Mahoney of Inclusion and Accessibility Labs, and Grace Hayes of Mastercard.

Another of the night’s highlights was the non-profit organisation Generation Ireland receiving special recognition, with the Diversity in Tech Impact Award, for all their work around inclusion across entry-level workforce employment.

“The calibre of finalists was exceptional, and we are all so proud of the amazing winners that have joined us tonight to celebrate diversity in the workforce.”

In operation since 2018, the Diversity in Tech Awards has highlighted the shift in companies making workplaces more diverse and inclusive, whilst also recognising their efforts to narrow the gender gap. This has been achieved through celebrating Irish companies that are driving IT excellence, innovation, leadership, and overall success in the tech industry.

Announcing the winners, Tracey Carney, Managing Director, Diversity in Tech Awards said: “The Diversity in Tech Awards are an important feature on the Dublin Tech Summit teams calendar. The awards offer us a chance to give back to the tech community and support those championing the DE&I cause.

“The calibre of finalists was exceptional, and we are all so proud of the amazing winners that have joined us tonight to celebrate diversity in the workforce. The event is not only about celebrating excellence, but also about sharing knowledge and experience and so we enhance the evening with a keynote and panel discussion on themes relevant to the tech community.”

Grace Hopper Award

Accepting the Grace Hopper Award, Carolan Lennon, Country Leader for Salesforce Ireland, said: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award. Throughout my career I’ve seen and experienced first-hand the value and importance of having a dedicated focus on equality, and creating a workplace that reflects a society where all employees feel seen, valued, and empowered.

“I’m particularly proud of the work that has been happening in this space at Salesforce. Equality is one of our core values, it’s fully embedded into our company culture, and we see and feel the impact of this when we show up to work everyday.”

Full list of winners

READ MORE

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