Diana Initiative, We Open Tech Merge to Provide a Global Community to Cybersecurity and Tech Professionals of Marginalized Persons

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--We Open Tech (WOT), the cybersecurity and tech community that has elevated people of marginalized genders for the last two years, announces its merger with and into the Diana Initiative, the belonging-driven organization and popular annual conference committed to helping all underrepresented people in Information Security which hosted their first event in 2016.

The 2023 Diana Initiative Conference will take place Monday August 7, 2023, In-Person, at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa. This year’s theme is “Lead the Change.”

We Open Tech Co-Founder Chloé Messdaghi said: “Our missions have been aligned with one another since WOT was founded. Today more than ever, marginalized persons need and deserve the best and most possible opportunities for mentoring relationships, professional development, career opportunities and support, and we are delighted to join forces with Diana Initiative and work together to expand its events and community support.”

Although some segments of the technology community have moved to become more inclusive to diverse talents, challenging headwinds and the current political climate continue to impede the participation of those of marginalized.

“Now is the right time to come together because our members in the trans community need and deserve the representation that the Diana Initiative offers. Our shared vision and synergy offers a welcome to all who are underrepresented, and fosters their professional growth,” said Nicole Schwartz, The Diana Initiative.

The consolidation comes at a time when “gatekeeping” is contributing to the ongoing cybersecurity talent shortage, and represents barriers to building better security teams and stronger leaders.

Diana Initiative Nicole Schwartz, COO “We believe that every single person regardless of their background should have the ability to enter and grow their careers in the tech sector. We look forward to Chloé Messdaghi and Maria Mora joining our board and the WOT members sharing their knowledge and experience, as they work to improve their employer’s security posture.”

This year’s Diana Initiative Conference features sessions such as:

• Speakers
• Career Fair
• Career Village
• Lockpick Village
• Maker Village
• Hands-on workshops

For a full list of sessions, visit: https://www.dianainitiative.org/event/event-schedule/

About the Diana Initiative:

The Diana Initiative started in 2016 with the mission to create a more inclusive security industry. Their annual conference is committed to helping all those underrepresented in Information Security by promoting new voices, offering call-for-paper and speaker mentors to hone their members skills, as well as making scholarship programs and free tickets available for those who would otherwise be unable to attend the event.