SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 8, 2014) – GoDaddy, the world’s largest technology provider dedicated to small businesses, is partnering with the Anita Borg Institute (ABI) as part of its commitment to advance women in technology. As an ABI partner, GoDaddy joins a global movement to expand the awareness of women's contributions to computing and encourage their participation in technology.
ABI is a nonprofit organization founded by Anita Borg, a well-known computer scientist who inspired women to break through the “silicon ceiling.” ABI works in more than 50 countries, with academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies that share their vision of a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies who use it. ABI research shows organizations that actively include women benefit from increased innovation and better bottom-line results.
About one-third of GoDaddy’s top leadership is comprised of women, including board member Betsy Rafael, Chief Technology Officer Elissa Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer Barb Rechterman, Chief Communications Officer Karen Tillman and General Counsel Nima Kelly.
According to a Catalyst survey, only about 17 percent of Fortune 500 company board seats in the U.S. are filled by women and in Silicon Valley that number is lower than 10 percent. GoDaddy recently appointed Ms.Rafael, former Chief Accounting Officer at Apple and Finance VP at Cisco Systems, as its first woman on the board of directors.
“There are young girls out there right now, who remind me of myself growing up, girls who are captivated by technology and how it can be so absolutely transformative,” said Elissa Murphy, one of the few female CTOs working at large tech companies today. “These young women are the technologists of tomorrow, and they benefit from the nurturing and networking the Anita Borg Institute provides.”
GoDaddy CEO Blake Irving also recognizes the value of women in technology and has supported the cause throughout his career. He championed the creation of the GoDaddy Women in Technology network, which supports professional development and networking. Irving has long been involved with the Society of Women Engineers and the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing.
“We’re impressed with GoDaddy’s commitment to transformation and women in technology,” said ABI President Telle Whitney. “There is a wealth of research demonstrating that more diversity and greater representation of women in the workforce improve business performance and innovation. GoDaddy is clearly invested in diversity and driving opportunities for women in technology.”
GoDaddy has committed to serve as a platinum sponsor for the ABI Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference in October. The Phoenix event is the largest gathering of women technologists in the world.
GoDaddy has a long history of philanthropic work in support of a variety of charities and global organizations. To find out more, visit www.GoDaddyCares.com.
If you’re a woman who is passionate about technology visit: www.GoDaddy.com/Jobs.
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About GoDaddy
GoDaddy's mission is to radically shift the global economy toward small businesses by empowering people to easily start, confidently grow and successfully run their own ventures. With more than 12 million customers worldwide and more than 59 million domain names under management, GoDaddy gives small business owners the tools to name their idea, build a beautiful online presence, attract customers and manage their business. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.
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