MCWT’s 15th Annual Luminescence Gala Raises Gross Proceeds to Empower Women in Tech

SOUTHFIELD, Nov. 16, 2023 – The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation, in partnership with Host Sponsor Ford Motor Co., convened over 700 tech professionals in Detroit on Nov. 11 for its 15th annual Signature Gala. The fundraiser garnered $512,000 in gross proceeds to fuel the nonprofit’s work to inspire and grow leaders in Michigan’s tech industry.

Mike Amend, Chief Enterprise Technology Officer, Ford Motor Co., addressed attendees by remarking on how technology powers the world. As a dad of five daughters, he shared how he looks for new ways to engage them in tech, such as helping them to get content set up on social channels.

“We can connect with young people and empower them through technology,” said Amend. “By staying engaged with MCWT, we are committing to support the mission by bringing more women into this field.”

The Gala epitomizes MCWT’s two-decade commitment to fostering diversity in technology. Throughout the years, the organization has evolved with the needs of the community. It’s ReIgnite! program that assists women in re-entering the workforce, for example, launched after the MCWT team saw insights from research revealing that women are 65% more susceptible to layoffs than men in the tech industry.

This year, MCWT introduced its Together4Tech program dedicated to fostering male allyship in support of women in tech, with the collective goal of challenging the disparities and defying the odds.

“The statistics show that women continue to be underrepresented in the tech industry,” said Jill Maiorano, MCWT president. “MCWT has been on a mission for 21 years to create a workforce with equal gender representation. Together4Tech is our latest program to help women enter, stay and thrive in tech careers – and it’s rooted in activating and growing how men can be allies in the movement.”

MCWT continues to nurture students along their technological paths and champion the progression of women in the field of technology. Examples of this year’s impact include:

– Provided $197,000 total in scholarship awards for 43 students, more than half of whom have previously engaged in MCWT programs and events.

– Expanded technology camps for middle and high school girls from 8 to 13 camps in school districts across the state.

– Introduced “Women in Tech Startups” to support women working in Michigan’s tech startup community.

Fifty-three companies sponsored the gala, including Ford Motor Co. as the gala’s Host Sponsor. Other supporters: Dell Technologies and Intel as Innovation Sponsors; Stellantis and Tech Mahindra as Empowerment Sponsors; Acrisure, AHEAD, AlixPartners, Ally, AMI Strategies, Apexon, aThingz, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Cabinetworks, CheckPoint, Comerica Bank, Data Intensity, Deloitte, Dow, Epitec, FastTek Global, Google Cloud, GTS, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HTC Global Services, Innova Solutions, Kyyba, Little Caesars, Masco, NTT, People Driven Technology, Perficient, Phosphorus, PureStorage, Rocket Connections, Salesforce, SentinelOne, Slalom, Stryker, Systems Technology Group, Tanium, United Wholesale Mortgage, Volkswagen, Workday, and Yazaki as Engagement Sponsors; and Apptio, Nutanix, KPMG, Stefanini Group, Softek, Servicenow, The CXO Forum, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation as Supporting Sponsors.

The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation strives to inspire and grow girls and women in technology fields, with an aspirational vision to make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology. The organization supports Michigan’s female tech workforce, students, corporate partners, schools and the overall community with networking, learning, mentoring, and technology experiences for professionals and students. Find more information at www.mcwt.org and connect via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.