INSPIRE 20 INSPIRE 20

The idea for the INSPIRE 20 podcast series stemmed from the desire of Micro Focus executives, their customers. partners, and other stakeholders to address the technology skills shortage—and attract more diverse talent into the industry.

Sponsored by Micro Focus, INSPIRE 20 showcases executives around the world who are making a difference in terms of inclusion and diversity in their organizations, communities, and industries.

In this final episode of the series, Sarah Atkinson, director of environmental, social, and governance at Micro Focus, talked about the podcast and looked back at some of the issues that guests have raised throughout the series.

Being in an executive role at a large enterprise brings with it a high level of responsibility, according to Erik Day, who leads Dell Technologies' small business division in North America and Brazil.And as an executive, Day said he should use his voice for much more than just being a voice for the LGBTQ+ community. It should be used for being feminist and being an ally to his black and brown brothers and sisters.Day, who co-founded the Pride employee resource group (ERG) at Dell Technologies was recently named in the top 10 OUTstanding LGBT+ Executives Role Model List of 2020 by INvolve, a global network and consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in business.

An award-winning producer and self-described queer woman of color, Allia McLeod is continually striving to disrupt the status quo and advance the cultural conversation around diversity.
Head of brand relations and content development for Verizon Media Studios in Canada, this past year, McLeod was named to the 2020 Top LGBT+ Outstanding Role Model Executives list.
In the podcast, McLeod talks about her involvement in Verizon Media's employee resource groups (ERGs), including BOLD (Black Originators, Leaders and Doers) and Prism, the company's LGBT+ ERG.
McLeod also offers advice on how companies can do more to tackle bias in the workplace.

Rod Flavell is founder and CEO of the London-based FDM Group.
FDM are a leader in the recruit, train, and deploy industry and launch thousands of technology and business careers every year across the globe. Part of the company's philosophy is a commitment to all forms of diversity, including an Ex-Forces careers program designed for veterans from all ranks and services, a Women in Tech initiative, and a Returners to Work program.
In the podcast, Flavell talks extensively about the Ex-Forces program and offers advice for other leaders or hiring managers looking to improve inclusion and diversity in their businesses or start similar initiatives.

CEO Phillip Jenkinson started Baidam Solutions as a tribute to his late father's passion for Indigenous rights and his desire to leave the world in a better place. An Australian tech company, Baidam Solutions is committed to bridging the gap of Indigenous representation in the IT security sector.
In the podcast, Jenkinson talks about how his company helps indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders find employment in the Australian information security sector—free of charge. He also explains how he recruits Indigenous talent and how many placements Baidam has made.

An experienced security solutions architect, Vandana Verma is president and founder of Infosec Girls, an initiative that encourages women to pursue careers in the field of information security. The goal of Infosec Girls is to get more women curious about cybersecurity by urging them to actively participate in events such as security conferences and community meet-ups.

In the podcast, Verma explains why mentorship is so critical in addressing gender imbalance in the tech industry, and what it means to "uplift others," help them conquer their fears, and guide them in the right direction.