Bringing Diversity To The Tech C-Suite w/ Sandra Lopez

Will the actions you take today have a positive impact on tomorrow’s society? That’s a question that Sandra Lopez, VP of Intel Sports Group asks herself every day. She’s not only creating a new world of sports technology, but she’s also a diversity advocate for women in C-level careers.

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About Sandra Lopez

Sandra was named one of the 50 most powerful women in technology. One of her visions and missions is to educate the world on how to use technology correctly, in a healthy way that uplifts all of society. Overall, Sandra believes that technology creates storytelling platforms for people to truly express themselves.

Technology is helping to bring our world forward by sharing knowledge and intelligence with regions that wouldn’t previously have had access to it. But what implication does tech have on our societies? Sandra explains how we can use tech in a healthier way.

Sandra wants us all to think about our role in the next level of technology. How do you use technology now? Will you embrace emerging techs?

Sanda believes we can all help create a dialogue just by the way that we act and do things. She’s active in bringing more diversity to the boardroom and knows she is helping to pave the way for other women in C level careers. And when there’s not adequate representation present, Sandra asks those difficult questions to find out why.

Being one of the only women at C-level in her current role, and having come through corporate America as a minority, Sanda encourages more women to follow in her footsteps. But not without a caveat: you need to be mentally ready to play on an uneven playing field.

How are you championing diversity and inclusion? Do you lead by example in any area of your life? How do you share your vulnerability?

In This Episode:

  • How technology is bringing our world forward in terms of knowledge and intelligence sharing

  • What the implication of our current technology has on our societies

  • Why you should think about what your role in the next level of technology is

  • How you can open a dialogue by changing the way you do things

  • How much diversity needs to be represented to get a true and objective input

  • Why it’s important to have uncomfortable questions about diversity

  • How you can be mentally ready for existing on an unlevel playing field

Quotes:

“Really think about your little actions every day. Do you really need to engage in tech or can you put it away? How much do I share on social media platforms and how much do I not share?” (15:02)

“How do we make sure that we continue to use technology to lift every person up and not leave people behind.” (15:35)

“The good stories are stories worth sharing because for sure it’s going to transform another person’s life.” (21:24)

“Being vulnerable is okay. In the process, you build trust with your colleagues and then they know when they’re going through a tough time, I’m going to be empathetic and I’ll recognize that.” (39:20)

“You can’t be talking about diversity and inclusion when you have all white men in the board room.” (42:38)

Monica Phillips