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Today's episode is a Simply Tech LIVE interview recorded July 27th, 2020, featuring my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and our special guest,  CAT Susch.

CAT is a Principal Technical Architect at the Microsoft Technology Center in New York, and is sharing her experiences as a highly technical leader in the tech industry, why there are so few women in technical roles, and the challenges and opportunities presented for the culture change that businesses need to make to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

There are very few highly technical women leaders in industry, whether it be business broadly, or specifically in the tech world - this conversation will really surface both some data for why this could be, as well as solutions for women specifically, as CAT walks through her experience both working at Microsoft and at other organizations, as well as what we can all do to contribute to causes that impact the overall inclusion and leadership participation of women in our workforce and society.

This was such a special episode, and we're so happy we can surface it this month as a special feature to Woman's History Month.

***Navigate the episode***

[06:59] CAT’s background, and her career journey as a highly technical practitioner

[09:32] Opportunities for diversity and inclusion in technology, and her latest work in virtual hackathons

[12:47] The challenges facing women in highly technical leadership roles

[16:22] How to get a wider base of women to apply to technology opportunities

[20:52] On cultivating and mentoring women towards attracting them to technical roles

[23:36] The impact of community events for young women and early in career women

[26:06] On the influence of culture and customer expectation – how to be good examples of partner organizations and customers

[28:06] On cross-collaboration or partnerships to build confidence for women to apply

[29:26] What the Digi Girls project is and doing things for the younger women in Microsoft

[31:57] CAT fostering international mentor relationships and engagements: a story about Beatrice and Ana

[34:55] Innovative and ideas for structuring experience heavy activities for women through the pandemic

[37:41] CAT’s endeavors and ambitions to continue creating an impact on the current and future state of the women’s technical community

***Resources and Links***

CAT Susch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/catsusch/

Women in Technical Roles Statistics: https://leftronic.com/women-in-technology-statistics/#:~:text=17%2B%20Women%20in%20Technology%20Statistics%20to%20Know%20in,than%20code%20written%20by%20men.%20More%20items...%20

Women in Business and Technology Podcast: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/women-in-business-technology

DigiGirlz at Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/digigirlz/default.aspx

What can a Technical Architect at Microsoft learn from a Girl born to be a Child Bride? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-can-technical-architect-microsoft-learn-from-girl-linda-lockhart/?trackingId=TwAOtXfunD5d4tnBc5r5DQ%3D%3D