Month: September 2024

The Cadence Giving Foundation was founded in 2022 to support critical needs in communities around the world with a focus on access to STEM education, DEI in STEM, and climate and sustainability. We are excited to unveil an exciting initiative our team and our partners have been working tirelessly on to create opportunities for women in tech and artificial intelligence (AI), driving a future workforce that is inclusive, innovative, and career-ready.

Cadence is launching Fem.AI to change the workforce of tech and AI to propel women and the industry toward a more equitable tech sector. Despite years of effort, the tech industry is lagging on critical measures of gender equity. Initial research by Cadence has identified three “leakage points” in the tech/AI ecosystem where women are losing traction:

Completing Higher Education: In 2021, approximately 20% of computer science graduates were female, while 45% of women who start college as STEM majors leave to pursue another degree.Accessing First Jobs: Women with STEM-related degrees face more unemployment challenges post-graduation, with women holding just over 20% of AI roles in US tech companies.Retaining STEM Careers: Over 56% of women in tech are likely to leave the industry before mid-career, further exacerbating the gender gap.

Addressing this imbalance now, in the dawn of a new technological era, is crucial for women’s economic well-being and for shaping inclusive and equitable innovations that serve society. By investing in nonprofits, championing women-led ventures, driving product innovation, and leveraging peer influence, Fem.AI advances women to the forefront in education, hiring, leadership, and innovation.

Through Fem.AI, we aim to empower through:

Partnerships: Build strategic alliances to drive transformative change in STEM education and careers, and elevate opportunities in AI for impactful growth and inclusive success.Pathways to Employment: Provide mentorship, returnships, and pathways to thrive in tech and AI, unlocking opportunities and ensuring advancement and impact with every step.Scholarships: Provide scholarships that embrace a spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and ideas for transformative impact.Cadence Academic Network: Collaborate with the academic community worldwide to ignite a passion for technology education and foster future innovators.

We’ve partnered with seven nonprofit organizations focused on increasing the number of women obtaining STEM degrees and their first jobs, as well as increasing representation at the leadership level: Break Through Tech, Last Mile Education Fund, Fast Forward Generation, VC Include, Global Semiconductor Alliance, and Reboot Representation.

We’re excited to host the Fem.AI Summit next month, which will bring together leadership across the tech landscape to inform and shape a future where women are fully engaged in the ecosystem of AI innovation. The summit’s mission is to enlighten, empower, and mobilize stakeholders across various industries on the issue of gender disparity in high tech, specifically in AI, while also brainstorming actionable solutions to promote gender equality. This conference marks the kickoff of a movement aimed at breaking the cycle of inequity and initiating steps toward a more inclusive future for women in high-tech and AI.

This is just the start, and we must take collective action now. I hope that you will join Cadence to ensure that we clear the path and catalyze the role of women in the AI revolution.

The Cadence Giving Foundation was founded in 2022 to support critical needs in communities around the world with a focus on access to STEM education, DEI in STEM, and climate and sustainability. We are excited to unveil an exciting initiative our team and our partners have been working tirelessly on to create opportunities for women in tech and artificial intelligence (AI), driving a future workforce that is inclusive, innovative, and career-ready.

Cadence is launching Fem.AI to change the workforce of tech and AI to propel women and the industry toward a more equitable tech sector. Despite years of effort, the tech industry is lagging on critical measures of gender equity. Initial research by Cadence has identified three “leakage points” in the tech/AI ecosystem where women are losing traction:

Completing Higher Education: In 2021, approximately 20% of computer science graduates were female, while 45% of women who start college as STEM majors leave to pursue another degree.Accessing First Jobs: Women with STEM-related degrees face more unemployment challenges post-graduation, with women holding just over 20% of AI roles in US tech companies.Retaining STEM Careers: Over 56% of women in tech are likely to leave the industry before mid-career, further exacerbating the gender gap.

Addressing this imbalance now, in the dawn of a new technological era, is crucial for women’s economic well-being and for shaping inclusive and equitable innovations that serve society. By investing in nonprofits, championing women-led ventures, driving product innovation, and leveraging peer influence, Fem.AI advances women to the forefront in education, hiring, leadership, and innovation.

Through Fem.AI, we aim to empower through:

Partnerships: Build strategic alliances to drive transformative change in STEM education and careers, and elevate opportunities in AI for impactful growth and inclusive success.Pathways to Employment: Provide mentorship, returnships, and pathways to thrive in tech and AI, unlocking opportunities and ensuring advancement and impact with every step.Scholarships: Provide scholarships that embrace a spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and ideas for transformative impact.Cadence Academic Network: Collaborate with the academic community worldwide to ignite a passion for technology education and foster future innovators.

We’ve partnered with seven nonprofit organizations focused on increasing the number of women obtaining STEM degrees and their first jobs, as well as increasing representation at the leadership level: Break Through Tech, Last Mile Education Fund, Fast Forward Generation, VC Include, Global Semiconductor Alliance, and Reboot Representation.

We’re excited to host the Fem.AI Summit next month, which will bring together leadership across the tech landscape to inform and shape a future where women are fully engaged in the ecosystem of AI innovation. The summit’s mission is to enlighten, empower, and mobilize stakeholders across various industries on the issue of gender disparity in high tech, specifically in AI, while also brainstorming actionable solutions to promote gender equality. This conference marks the kickoff of a movement aimed at breaking the cycle of inequity and initiating steps toward a more inclusive future for women in high-tech and AI.

This is just the start, and we must take collective action now. I hope that you will join Cadence to ensure that we clear the path and catalyze the role of women in the AI revolution.

By Eunjung Son · Partner Account Manager · Korea

In 2001, I started my Cisco journey as an associate systems engineer, training with top engineers from around the world.

I had to move from South Korea to San Jose for this job. As I was about to leave home, I received devastating news that my father had terminal cancer. Though it was difficult, I still went to San Jose. It was my father’s wish.

I had to face the reality of losing my father while starting my very first job. That time at Cisco held a special place in my heart because my father was proud of the company, even in his final days. He knew I would grow and make my dream come true here.

I gained diverse experiences in engineering, sales, and business development across San Jose, Singapore, and Seoul. After nine years, I left Cisco and eventually earned my Ph.D.

From grief to giving

Inspired by my father’s passing, I founded a small nonprofit organization called Gift Factory Project in 2012. It’s run entirely by volunteers. We aim to provide family trips and photo albums as gifts to economically disadvantaged terminal cancer patients and their families, helping them create lasting memories in their final moments.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel became difficult. Gift Factory Project expanded its mission to include workshops and support for patients with muscular diseases. We provided flower arrangement workshops and helped someone with muscular dystrophy continue his work as a poet and illustrator.

A heartfelt return to Cisco

Fifteen years went by, and I still wanted to work for Cisco. I kept thinking about Cisco’s fundamentals: People and technology.

Connecting people through technology is Cisco’s essence. And Cisco’s logo always reminds me of the company’s spirit as a bridge, symbolizing this connection.

Thankfully, I rejoined the company in January 2024 as a partner account manager based in Seoul.

A journey of hope

I wanted to bring the Gift Factory Project to life with Cisco’s technology and employee involvement.

Recently, we organized a virtual world tour powered by Webex for young adults with muscular dystrophy along with their caregivers and a few parents. They virtually explored four Asia Pacific countries, guided by Cisco employees.

The travelers were warmly welcomed by Regional Sales Director Geofran Thadikaran, Korea Theatre VP Cathy Choi, and Sales VP Kartika Prihadi. The Cisco Korea partner team acted as the airline crew.

The Cisco APJC Partner team from Japan, India, Singapore, and Australia served as local tour guides, introducing geographical features, cultures, and cuisines.

Volunteers served mochi and green tea for Japan, kaya toast and coffee for Singapore, Tim Tams and vegemite spread biscuits for Australia, and a traditional dessert called gulab jamun and chai for India.

A rewarding experience for all

During the two-hour session, the virtual travelers were full of joy. They felt as though they had truly visited new places and learned more about different cultures, and they remained cheerful and hopeful about one day visiting the countries they learned about. They were happy to have made friends with Cisco employees who personally shared their country’s stories.

The event was equally rewarding for the Cisco team members. Witnessing the delight of the participants highlighted the positive impact of their daily work on the world.

The Cisco crew and the Gift Factory Project team gifted souvenirs from the virtual destinations, such as Taj Mahal refrigerator magnets, koala plushies, Singapore keychains, and Japanese lucky cat figurines.

Connecting hearts and minds through tech

This project was a testament to how Cisco’s technology shapes a better world. It also highlighted the camaraderie among colleagues, the impact-driven leadership supporting CSR initiatives, and the dedication of talented, intelligent coworkers who volunteered their time to share stories from their respective countries.

It was a moment that reaffirmed the philosophies at the core of Cisco’s technology: Connecting people and people-centered leadership.

View original content here.

By Eunjung Son · Partner Account Manager · Korea

In 2001, I started my Cisco journey as an associate systems engineer, training with top engineers from around the world.

I had to move from South Korea to San Jose for this job. As I was about to leave home, I received devastating news that my father had terminal cancer. Though it was difficult, I still went to San Jose. It was my father’s wish.

I had to face the reality of losing my father while starting my very first job. That time at Cisco held a special place in my heart because my father was proud of the company, even in his final days. He knew I would grow and make my dream come true here.

I gained diverse experiences in engineering, sales, and business development across San Jose, Singapore, and Seoul. After nine years, I left Cisco and eventually earned my Ph.D.

From grief to giving

Inspired by my father’s passing, I founded a small nonprofit organization called Gift Factory Project in 2012. It’s run entirely by volunteers. We aim to provide family trips and photo albums as gifts to economically disadvantaged terminal cancer patients and their families, helping them create lasting memories in their final moments.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel became difficult. Gift Factory Project expanded its mission to include workshops and support for patients with muscular diseases. We provided flower arrangement workshops and helped someone with muscular dystrophy continue his work as a poet and illustrator.

A heartfelt return to Cisco

Fifteen years went by, and I still wanted to work for Cisco. I kept thinking about Cisco’s fundamentals: People and technology.

Connecting people through technology is Cisco’s essence. And Cisco’s logo always reminds me of the company’s spirit as a bridge, symbolizing this connection.

Thankfully, I rejoined the company in January 2024 as a partner account manager based in Seoul.

A journey of hope

I wanted to bring the Gift Factory Project to life with Cisco’s technology and employee involvement.

Recently, we organized a virtual world tour powered by Webex for young adults with muscular dystrophy along with their caregivers and a few parents. They virtually explored four Asia Pacific countries, guided by Cisco employees.

The travelers were warmly welcomed by Regional Sales Director Geofran Thadikaran, Korea Theatre VP Cathy Choi, and Sales VP Kartika Prihadi. The Cisco Korea partner team acted as the airline crew.

The Cisco APJC Partner team from Japan, India, Singapore, and Australia served as local tour guides, introducing geographical features, cultures, and cuisines.

Volunteers served mochi and green tea for Japan, kaya toast and coffee for Singapore, Tim Tams and vegemite spread biscuits for Australia, and a traditional dessert called gulab jamun and chai for India.

A rewarding experience for all

During the two-hour session, the virtual travelers were full of joy. They felt as though they had truly visited new places and learned more about different cultures, and they remained cheerful and hopeful about one day visiting the countries they learned about. They were happy to have made friends with Cisco employees who personally shared their country’s stories.

The event was equally rewarding for the Cisco team members. Witnessing the delight of the participants highlighted the positive impact of their daily work on the world.

The Cisco crew and the Gift Factory Project team gifted souvenirs from the virtual destinations, such as Taj Mahal refrigerator magnets, koala plushies, Singapore keychains, and Japanese lucky cat figurines.

Connecting hearts and minds through tech

This project was a testament to how Cisco’s technology shapes a better world. It also highlighted the camaraderie among colleagues, the impact-driven leadership supporting CSR initiatives, and the dedication of talented, intelligent coworkers who volunteered their time to share stories from their respective countries.

It was a moment that reaffirmed the philosophies at the core of Cisco’s technology: Connecting people and people-centered leadership.

View original content here.