Expanding Accessible Tech Through Equitable Hiring Programs

This June's FutureTalks panel will feature a conversation on how equitable hiring practices and programs for tech roles can lead to a more equitable and accessible tech ecosystem overall. Our expert panelists represent key pillars of the equitable hiring pipeline for tech via their collective lived and professional experiences in community workforce development geared towards teaching tech skills and tackling the important need for equitable hiring programs within tech companies. We look forward to a spirited and educational conversation with these three individuals who hold a deep institutional understanding of how a diverse and well supported talent pool can lead to greater organizational and technical success in our larger industry.

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Meet our experts:
DONNA HILLIARD (she/her) currently serves as the Executive Director at Code Tenderloin, a workforce development program focused on obtaining career opportunities for the marginalized and vulnerable populations of the San Francisco Bay Area and creating work and education opportunities for people with untraditional backgrounds. Her organization helps individuals struggling with homelessness and returning from incarceration to remove barriers to employment and careers. Donna also serves as Executive Director of Tenderloin Walking Tours and leads the Reentry Employment Network - a group of California service providers committed to providing opportunities for people coming out of prison and jail.

JAIME MATYAS (she/her) is the Chief Executive Officer at Galvanize, Inc. and President of the Galvanize Foundation. Since joining in January of 2022, Ms. Matyas has advanced strategic initiatives, including partnerships, Veteran programs, and Galvanize Foundation projects, to accelerate access for under-represented populations to technology careers. Prior to joining Galvanize, Ms. Matyas served as president of Hatrix Advisors, a social impact strategy and consulting firm, with clients including The Nature Conservancy, Techbridge Girls, and Public Interest Registry. Ms. Matyas served as CEO and President of the Student Conservation Association and spent twenty years in various leadership roles at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), including SVP of Marketing and Chief Operating Officer.

JOHN HYLAND (they/them) is the director of the New Relic's Ignite program for early career engineers. Previously, they spent a couple decades as a software engineer, focusing mostly on networking, security, and service architectures. They believe strongly in the importance of culture and community building for the long-term success of both individual companies and the tech industry at large.