--- title: "Tech Exec to Tech Exec: Build a More Diverse Leadership Pipeline" id: "61471" type: "post" slug: "tech-exec-to-tech-exec-build-a-more-diverse-leadership-pipeline" published_at: "2022-03-14T18:37:53+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-11T18:08:54+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/tech-exec-to-tech-exec-build-a-more-diverse-leadership-pipeline/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/tech-exec-to-tech-exec-build-a-more-diverse-leadership-pipeline.md" excerpt: "Attracting new and diverse talent requires a more innovative approach to finding the right people. Now is the time to be open to new possibilities instead of defaulting to the usual suspects. Representation matters. Throw the net wide and, rather..." taxonomy_category: - "Operations" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Associations Now" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "C-Level" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Tech Exec to Tech Exec: Build a More Diverse Leadership Pipeline Part of the Deep Dive[Tech2022](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/tech2022-from-now-to-next/) When technology leaders were asked how to build a better pipeline to attract the tech leaders of the future, their answers revealed that being open to new possibilities, qualifications, and geographical locations were top priorities. The status quo need not apply. ### Simona Rollinson *Chief Operating Officer* *ISACA* *Schaumberg, Illinois* The pipelines to tech careers, particularly in leadership roles, are still leaky for women, people of color, and other marginalized groups. It is a myth that things are fair and equal. But we need to patch those pipes as quickly as possible because representation matters. Recruit diverse pools of candidates. Make sure job descriptions are true to the requirements of the job, and if a college degree is not essential, make it a preference instead of a requirement. To make paths to leadership more equitable, make work-life balance an organization-wide issue, not a women’s issue. If it is available for all, it is easier for everyone—moms, single parents, people with medical conditions, caregivers of older family members—to advance. --- ### Pablo A. Destefanis *Chief Information Officer* *Associated General Contractors of America* *Arlington, Virginia* Be open and creative when recruiting. In a globalized world in which distances have diminished relevance, your city or area does not need to be a limit. Try new channels for recruiting and ask if the channels you previously used may be blocking your view of the talent pool. Assess your hiring process: Is it standard and fair? Could it harbor any biases? Look inward and make sure you have a harmonious diversity of styles and backgrounds. You need your calm and reflective employees as much as you need your risk-takers, and those that come from a formal IT background as much as those who took a less traditional path. --- ### Justin Lewis *Partner and Chief Information Officer* *Smith Moore & Associates* *Sacramento, California* The most important quality in a tech leader is curiosity. Curiosity is everywhere, regardless of age, race, station, or gender. Curiosity is more than asking how and why. It’s asking why, then doing everything they can to answer that for themselves. Ultimately, what they learn along the way gives them the foundation to good tech leaders. Find your curious people, give them what they need, and get out of their way. --- ### Villy Savino *Vice President of Technology Transformation* *CoreNet Global* *Atlanta* To attract more diverse talent, it’s important for organizations to start with eliminating any possibility of confirmation biases within the hiring process—from job posting creation, review of the candidate pool, interview process, and hiring selection. Specifically for tech leaders, organizations should look for candidates with diverse skills, knowledge, and background. This approach will provide a talent pool with fresh perspectives and experiences, which increases the potential for productivity, creativity, and innovation for the organization. --- ### Rebecca Headrick, MBA *Chief Technology Director* *Illinois CPA Society* *Chicago* One of the most important yet underappreciated steps in building diversity is formalizing and prioritizing the effort. Moving from strategy to action requires documenting goals and success criteria into a formalized plan. Consider expanding your talent search to nontechnical backgrounds for certain roles. You don’t necessarily need an engineering degree to succeed in tech. Skillsets and experience in marketing, communications, operations, and even sales can contribute significantly to a successful technology role. --- ### Jay Brodsky *Chief Digital Officer* *American Geophysical Union* *Washington, DC* Finding talent where they live—not just where we’re headquartered—is going to be key to continuing to fill our diverse pipeline. DC is a great location for diversity, but the high cost of living can make it challenging to find mission-driven junior staff members. We can grow them into the nonprofit tech leaders of tomorrow if we can get them on the team, working remotely, today. [Lisa Boylan](https://associationsnow.com/author/lisa-boylan/) Lisa Boylan is a former senior editor of Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/lisa-boylan/) Tags: [#Associations Now](https://associationsnow.com/tag/associations-now/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## More in this Deep Dive - [Make Your IT Team Your Business Partner](https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/make-your-it-team-your-business-partner/) - [Rethinking Data for the Pandemic Era](https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/rethinking-data-for-the-pandemic-era/) - [How Tech Tools and Data Can Advance Equity and Inclusion](https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/how-tech-tools-and-data-can-advance-equity-and-inclusion/) - [Nimble Technology Strategy Flows With Association Goals](https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/nimble-technology-strategy-flows-with-association-goals/) - [Fundamentals for Building a Tech Budget in Uncertain Times](https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/fundamentals-for-building-a-tech-budget-in-uncertain-times/) - [Better Member Engagement With Zero-Party Data](https://associationsnow.com/2022/03/14/better-member-engagement-with-zero-party-data/) [View the full Deep Dive →](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/tech2022-from-now-to-next/) ## You Might Like - [VideoRisky Business: What Types of Insurance Do Associations Really Need?June 17, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/17/risky-business-what-types-of-insurance-do-associations-really-need/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Industry Partner Edition-Helping Associations Thrive in the Age of AIJuly 16, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/16/associations-now-presents-industry-partner-edition-helping-associations-thrive-in-the-age-of-ai/) - [VideoSkip the Search. 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