Diversity Tactics & Microsoft Innovation – Mary Snapp, Microsoft CVP & Philanthropies CEO

“It would be a mistake to think that computer scientists only need to know how to code, because…ethics and privacy issues are so important. (Therefore) understanding a little bit about history and humanity will be really important as we move into these new technologies” such as artificial intelligence.  Mary Snapp
We walk into meetings or even coffee shops and can guess the stories of the people we see. It’s fun, but also one of the biggest hindrances to innovation – and to a successful diverse workplace.   Microsoft is tackling this one head on, according to the executive leading these efforts.  Considering that “seven out of the ten largest STEM occupations were computer related,” according to a 2017 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can all benefit.
Listen to Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Microsoft Philanthropies head Mary Snapp, who has worked in nearly every non-technical area of the company in her 30 years there, talk about how a company dependent on innovation drives diversity. (This was recorded under our previous name, Green Connections Radio.)
You’ll hear:

.  The core issues are our own behaviors, one employee at a time.
·  Why a growth mindset is more important than credentials
.  About the link between leaders’ vulnerabilities and innovation.
·  About addressing the assumptions we all have every day – especially in hiring
.  How the words we use can make or break a new idea’s success, or a career
·  Great career adviceand much more!

“Be willing to do something where you don’t know what the outcome is going to be…Have confidence in yourself that whatever happens, good or bad, you’ll figure it out.” Mary Snapp on Green Connections Radio

You’ll want to check out these interviews too:

  • Maria Freire, CEO, the Foundation of the NIH, innovating with large organizations.
  • Telle Whitney, Former CEO of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Cofounder of the Grace Hopper Conference
  • Roberta Rincon, Society of Women Engineers, Director of Research, on the status and careers of women in various types of engineering roles.
  • Barbara Whye, Chief Diversity Officer of Apple, and former VP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer of Intel.

Read my Forbes blog on this interview too.
Thanks for subscribing on iTunes or Spotify or iHeartRadio (or wherever you like podcasts) and leaving us a review!
Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the top podcasts, blogs and special offers!