Women of Martech organization aims to lift the voices of women in our community

Last year, MarTech Today’s 2019 marketing operations and technology salary survey found the salary gap between men and women showed no signs of closing, with the salary disparity kicking in around base salaries of $125,000. Not only are women marketing technologists earning less money than their male counterparts, they are also being promoted less frequently: Nearly double the number of women as men reported it had been more than five years since their last promotion.

“Across too much of the martech industry, there is very little diversity at the highest levels. This fact is very often visible at leadership events, including conference panels, and despite statistical evidence that companies with diverse leadership are more successful, change is slow,” said Kathy Bryan, Digital Media Solutions CMO.

To make a difference in our industry, and help accelerate the careers of women in the martech community, she and five of her Digital Media Solutions colleagues have launched the Women of Martech professional trade organization. Bryan will serve as the organization’s president and is joined by board members Amber Paul, Taryn Lomas, Colleen Liguori and Lilly Trevisanut. Melissa Ledesma has been appointed the executive director. Their marketing technology company Digital Media Solutions is the founding sponsor of the organization.

The goal: amplify women’s voices

When asked what inspired her to start the organization, Bryan recounts the difficulties women often experience touting their own accomplishments.

“We’re often very comfortable promoting the achievements of others, but it feels selfish to promote ourselves,” said Bryan, “I’ve always believed that if someone else adopts my idea as their own, the organization wins in the end. And while I still believe that to be true, I also recognize that if all women adopt this approach, it’ll be too easy for women to be kept in supporting roles.”

She says Women in Martech’s primary goal starting out will be to establish a platform where the organization will be able to share — and promote — the accomplishments, achievements, successes and triumphs of women in the martech community.

“Revenue, process and efficiency, diversity and inclusion, and social responsibility — too often these inspiring stories are not shared or promoted on the scale needed to broadly emphasize the impact women have in martech,” said Bryan.

Board member Taryn Lomas notes the significance female role models can have on a woman’s career.

“My mother always held high-level positions in male-dominated fields, and that was inspiring and empowering for me,” said Lomas, “Having access to that type of female influence can help shape a woman’s professional behaviors and aspirations.”

She hopes the stories Women in Martech plans to spread across our community will help give women access to a long list of professional role models.

Building a community for the women in martech

Right now, the organization is focused on finding members for the steering and activation committees, along with general membership recruitment. Membership is currently free and open to women who work at marketing technology companies in any capacity; marketers of any company who regularly deploy technology; anyone committed to helping amplify women’s achievements in the martech industry and women who want to connect, engage, advance and drive the industry forward.

“Amidst the events facing many professionals as a result of COVID-19, for 2020 we have decided to forgo the recruitment of corporate sponsors. We are also keeping membership free until 2021,” said Bryan.

Once a steering committee has been put in place, it will review opportunities for corporate sponsors in 2021 and look to build relationships with companies that can help further the organization’s goals.

Women of Martech has already connected with other similar organizations, including the Ladies of LeadsCon and Women in Email, to discuss potential collaborations. According to Bryan, networking initiatives are on the horizon for her organization and will be further explored after the steering committee has been announced.

How to get involved

Women who want to join the organization can complete the “WOM Membership Application Form” on the organization’s website. There are currently two membership levels: Professional and Student. Corporate sponsorships will open next year.

There is also an application page for anyone interested in joining one of the three Women of Martech committees: Steering, Activation and Recruitment. In addition to recruiting corporate sponsors, the Steering committee will work directly with the board members to define the organization’s vision and strategy goals. The Activation Committee will help organize and execute member programs, monthly meetings, marketing efforts and special projects, while the Recruitment Committee will lead membership efforts.

Anyone interested in following the organization can do so on the Women of Martech Facebook page or the organization’s LinkedIn page.

“With cancellations of most industry conferences and face-to-face meetings on hold, women in martech positions are lacking opportunities to build professional relationships and network, ” said Amber Paul, “Now more than ever, we need a platform that will help us to connect with our industry colleagues, find common ground and establish bonds.”