Being Part of Empowering Tech: Building WIT Communities and Founding Relationships
Aileen Leonhardt
Channel Program Manager at Atlassian | Global Chair of Women+ Atlassian ERG
Being part of the technology industry for over 10 years has highlighted the importance of standing up for oneself and initiating change. Resilience is a crucial skill, enabling individuals to confront challenges and grow from them. While I've been able to overcome obstacles, many women may struggle to do so. Therefore, it's essential to create an environment of trust and belonging for all women in our salesforce, supporting them in developing resilience or advocating on their behalf.
In my role as Global Chair for the Women+ ERG at Atlassian, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Liz Wheeles from LinkedIn. Our shared passion for promoting diversity and inclusion for women became evident during our discussions.
Our conversations revealed our potential future state. Women in Technology (WIT) communities have been operating successfully for many years, demonstrating that beyond company boundaries, collaboration can be impactful.
I'll quote my dear colleague from LinkedIn regarding our first event together:
"The pivotal moment came when we organized our first WIT circles event, bringing together 20 passionate participants from both companies, including enthusiastic allies. The atmosphere was electric with the shared commitment to empower and uplift. The event served as a melting pot of ideas, experiences, and collective wisdom. It was more than just a meeting; it was the birth of a network that would exceed our expectations."
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The event provided a safe platform for open discussions, mentorship opportunities, and the formation of a supportive community. Although Atlassian’s Women+ ERG is relatively young compared to others, we were able to contribute initiatives and ideas while benefiting from valuable experiences—a truly enriching exchange.
Reflecting on this initial event brings only positive feedback—excitement abounds along with newfound motivation! As reflected by last year's Atlassian Team logo "Impossible Alone," partnering with another ERG proved highly beneficial—it marks just the beginning of further collaborations aimed at creating a powerful network among different companies.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are central tenets within Atlassian's Women+ ERG Join us on March 8th at 10 a.m. PST as we part of a live discussion about where we've come from—and where we're headed—and learn how you can join us on this journey: "Building WIT Communities and Founding Relationships " with Liz Wheeles ; Christy McNabb Dunlap ; Tiffany Balcarcel and me, Aileen Leonhardt .
For more information about the LinkedIn WIT journey - follow them on their LinkedIn WIT page and look at Liz Wheeles ' post .