Diversity in technology is an important metric, but one that is often hard to come by. The technology landscape is changing, and with it comes a much stronger push for improved inclusion. But are companies measuring up?

Felicia Mayo, VP of Global Talent Acquisition and Diversity at Juniper Networks Inc., answered this and other important questions regarding Juniper Networks’ efforts. Mayo talked with Rebecca Knight (@knightrm), host of theCUBE, from the SiliconANGLE Media team, during the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing about diversity and inclusion in technology.

Crunching the numbers

Diversity in technology is on the rise, but the starting point was already fairly low. There is only “one to two percent of African-Americans in technology,” said Mayo. But those numbers are slowly climbing. More women are graduating with technology degrees and hoping to work in Silicon Valley, according to Mayo.

Juniper is making a pointed effort to not only increase its own diversity but to “influence the decrease of the education gap in tech,” Mayo explained.

Visibility

Though Mayo hasn’t had many negative experiences in the industry personally, she uses her position as a platform to increase global diversity. Juniper Networks wants children to “see themselves at the table,” said Mayo. The Juniper Networks C-Suite and leadership board are a diverse part of the organization and they hope to lead by example.

Juniper Networks hasn’t just set arbitrary goals for diversity, but has created an entire strategy for overall diversity and talent management, according to Mayo. They hope to “attract the brightest and most innovative minds,” she said.

Strength under pressure

No matter the statistics, working in technology can be difficult and time consuming. However, there are methods to maintain a work-life balance, according to Mayo. It comes down to managing time well and being flexible when possible. Many in the tech industry have families and it becomes less about work-life balance and more about “work-life integration,” said Mayo.

Whether a company is looking for the brightest minds or attempting to increase diversity, they should always be willing to “take a risk,” said Mayo. There are infinite possibilities in the tech industry, and Juniper Networks is leading the charge and diving in head first, she added.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of the Anita Borg Institute’s Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing.

Photo by SiliconANGLE