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About

The technology sector creates millions of high-wage, meaningful jobs across the country but diverse representation in the technology sector remains low. There is a clear need to activate change and transformation to ensure diverse and inclusive workplaces in the technology sector. Join US Tech Future and leaders from Washington State for a thoughtful conversation about overcoming the barriers to leveraging a diverse workforce in tech, including a framework to guide action including accountability, risk management, data and systems, and coalition forming.

Participants:

  • Azmeena Hasham, Executive Director, Community Engagement, Verizon
  • Michael Schutzler, CEO, Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA)
  • Kim Vu, Global Head of DEI, Remitly
  • Amanuail Ambaye, CEO, LendMe, Inc.
  • Heather Foster, Senior Director of Public Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Lyft

About Participants

Azmeena Hasham

Azmeena Hasham leads Verizon’s Public Policy and Community Engagement program in Western Washington, where she works to champion policies to enrich lives and build the digital future. She actively advocates for 5G and Connected Communities, to bridge the gap for underserved communities and promote innovation. Azmeena aspires to build deeper relationships with communities across Washington in order to implement Verizon’s corporate social responsibility goals in the areas of digital inclusion and STEM education, human prosperity and climate protection.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/azmeenahasham

Twitter: @AzmeenaHasham

Tech Future Website: seattletechfuture.org  

Michael Schutzler

Michael Schutzler is an entrepreneur, engineer, angel investor, and the CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). In more than 30 years launching products and companies, he has advocated for diversity in recruiting and developing talent at all levels of the organization. He was also instrumental in urging the Washington State legislature to pass the nation’s most effective gender pay equity law. Earlier this year, Michael, in collaboration with 50 companies, spearheaded the Racial Diversity in Tech Pact, which is committed to meaningfully addressing and tackling systemic industry-wide racism.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schutzler/

Twitter: @ceosherpa

Instagram: schutzlerh2o

WTIA Twitter: @WTIA 

WTIA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/washington-technology-industry-association/ 

Kim Vu

Kim (she/her) is the global head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Remitly, a fintech company serving over 3M immigrants throughout the world to send money home to their families. She has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years as a banking executive within Fortune 50 banks and credit unions, building new lines of business, as well as scaling the social impact of financial institutions by developing and leading corporate social responsibility and ESG strategies. She serves on the board of Crisis Text Line, a global tech nonprofit that provides free 24/7 crisis support, delivering over 4.9M mental health conversations through texting. Kim has been featured on Yahoo! Finance, The Financial Times, Geekwire, Seattle Business Magazine and Silicon Valley Business Journal for her contributions to community and championing diversity in business.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimtvu

Twitter: @kimmilyn

Amanuail Ambaye

Amanuail is the Founder & CEO of LendMe, Inc. Born and raised in Seattle, he currently holds this position alongside his full-time job as a paralegal & case manager at the Law Office of Cleodis Floyd – a personal injury/civil law firm based in South Seattle. Throughout his years in the Pacific Northwest, he has been a part of numerous organizations in support of his local communities campaigning for diversity, equal opportunity, and creating safe spaces for BIPOC. He also serves as the Community Relations Chairman for Seafair. As a recent graduate at the University of Washington, his focus now is to develop his company to be able to assist college students in overcoming their academic barriers, which are similar to what he had endured during his time in college. With a live prototype in testing, be on the lookout for their launch starting next year!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanuaila/

Website: www.lendmeapp.com

LendMe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lendme-inc

LendMe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLendMeApp/ 

Heather Foster

Heather Foster is the Senior Director of Public Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Lyft, where she leads the strategy, planning and engagement of elected officials and third party stakeholders. Heather is a subject matter expert on race and public policy, having worked closely with civil rights groups and organizations focused on equity, economic mobility, and transportation. Heather served in the Obama administration as White House Public Engagement Advisor and served as a direct liaison to African American leaders navigating complex issues on race and policy. Before serving in the White House, Heather was a policy and outreach advisor at the U.S. Department of Education and worked on several local and national political campaigns across the country.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherjfoster20/

Twitter: @HeatherFoster20