Milwaukee's tech leaders respond: Where is the local industry at with diversity and inclusion?

In the wake of the George Floyd murder last May, institutions — including members of Milwaukee's technology industry — pledged to ramp up diversity and inclusion efforts.

Given that Milwaukee's tech sector lags behind the overall workforce in terms of racial, ethnic and gender diversity, we posed the following question to companies, organizations and other members of Milwaukee's tech community. Their answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Reflecting back on the year since George Floyd’s murder, do you believe the promises, statements and programs that emerged from members of Milwaukee’s tech and startup community following the incident have panned out? Which efforts have been meaningful and which have not? What still needs to improve?

Tarik Moody, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee

"Instead of focusing on statements and promises, Milwaukee’s tech and startup community — which includes our corporations — needs to focus on the opportunity of investing in the Black and Brown communities. The cities that put this as a priority will win and are winning the talent battle and building truly inclusive tech ecosystems." — Tarik Moody, director of digital strategy and innovation at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee

Craig Schedler, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures

"Last summer, we recognized we could do more as a company to stand firmly against racism, discrimination and prejudice in all forms by driving sustainable action and long-term change. We've made very intentional funding commitments, including dedicating $20 million to investing in Black founders through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and have invested in five companies to date. We're committed to providing access to capital and resources, and we will continue investing in and providing opportunities for Black founders." — Craig Schedler, managing director, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures

Rashi Khosla, Mars Solutions Group

"We notice that several area businesses are either starting or revamping their (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs and you see a large uptick in the hiring for roles related to DE&I. As a diverse business ourselves, we notice this change in our dialog with these businesses that had no structured commitment until last year. What complicates the matter when it comes to diversity in tech is the fact that the starting point is far more backward in comparison to any other field."  — Rashi Khosla, CEO and founder of Mars Solutions Group

Christopher Perceptions, PerceptForm

"We can be something great but we have to deal with the elephant in the room. How do you change the mentality of a city? Through love, empathy, not over talking or assuming, not co-oping or attempting to monopolize, gentrify or simply tune out people because you don't understand them or it makes you uncomfortable. Also, an online post is not the same as a check. Investment is key." — Christopher Perceptions, founder of PerceptForm

Cristy Garcia-Thomas, Advocate Aurora Health

"We invest in our communities in many ways, including through direct grants that can help businesses grow and thrive. For example, our Better Together Fund has given grants to MercadoMKE to support Hispanic-owned businesses with an online presence and sales platform, as well as to the African American Chamber of Commerce to support African American-owned businesses with training and technical support. We know there’s more work to do, and we’re committed to moving forward." — Cristy Garcia-Thomas, Advocate Aurora Health chief external affairs officer

Keenan Grenell, Manufacturing Diversity Institute

"A regional commitment to achieve workplace diversity among major employers is a huge accomplishment. Efforts to increase STEM skills and entrepreneurism and creating more venture capital investment opportunities to assist tech-centric Black-owned businesses is also encouraging. As a region poised for greatness, we must be intentional in unleashing success algorithms directed at the eradication of poverty and systemic racism in Milwaukee." — Keenan Grenell, executive director of Manufacturing Diversity Institute

Molly Mulroy, WEC Energy Group

"At WEC Energy Group we believe Milwaukee and the region are stronger and better positioned for a more prosperous future when our diversity is highlighted and our workplaces are inclusive... To best serve our diverse customer base, we depend on insight, perspective and the solutions we gain from a diverse and engaged board of directors, management team and workforce." — Molly Mulroy, WEC Energy Group chief information officer

Jalen Greenlee, Flora Fruit Company

"I do think a lot of the promises, statements and programs have been doing their intended purpose and have made huge headway for the cause. Of course, some entities' efforts are forced and ingenuine due to pressure from customers, societal pressure and guilt. But (for) most groups in the tech and startup community, eyes have been finally opened. They can now see and empathize with what the Black community has been going through for 400-plus years." — Jalen Greenlee, CEO and founder of Flora Fruit Co.

Jon Jackson and Margarida Fernandes, We Pivot

"Milwaukee has always been a very supportive space for organizations like We Pivot, even prior to the murder of George Floyd. However, there is still much more to be done. It will take a stronger commitment to making systemic change within organizations in the tech ecosystem to truly make lasting, impactful change." — Jon Jackson, We Pivot vice chair of operations, and Margarida Fernandes, We Pivot Milwaukee program director

Shayvon McCullum, Secure Bridges 

"The Milwaukee tech community has become very diversified and inclusive. The Milky Way Tech Hub, The Blueprint and For-M to name a few, have welcomed any person of any race of any background into their programs and have given us valuable tools needed to grow. Then when you see a person of color win at a pitch, it lights a fire in someone else of color to go out and bring their idea into fruition. I do think more collaboration amongst the many tech companies should happen to really reach the masses." — Shayvon McCullum, founder and CEO of Secure Bridges 

Paul Gaffney, Kohl’s

"We strive to be purposeful in attracting, growing and engaging more diverse talent while giving associates equitable opportunities for career growth. A more diverse and inclusive workforce lends to diverse perspectives which drives new ideas and innovation, and we’re committed to the diversification of talent in Milwaukee. Through the launch of a new tech apprenticeship program, the first of its kind in the greater Milwaukee region, in partnership with the Milwaukee Tech Hub and our work with reskill talent programs, we’re broadening our network of recruitment programs and removing the barriers of entry for those who want to pursue careers in technology." — Paul Gaffney, chief technology and supply chain officer, Kohl’s Corp.

Eric Senn, Johnson Controls

"This has been a year of tremendous growth for the Milwaukee technology community because we have not just met our commitments to diversity and inclusion, but we have also lived them... Make no mistake, there is still much work to be accomplished but as a result of this past year’s actions, the Milwaukee tech community also will see a positive impact from how companies have been challenging themselves to dig deeper and think about how they are modeling the values of diversity and inclusion. As a result, the Milwaukee tech community will benefit from commitments like those Johnson Controls made earlier this year when it pledged to double the representation of minority leaders in the U.S. and women globally within five years."   — Eric Senn, vice president, global digital development for Johnson Controls