The technology industry is facing a crossroads. Despite being one of the most innovative sectors in the world, technology companies are announcing plans for broad cost-cutting measures through layoffs.

Recently, tech giant announced it will cut approximately 10,000 jobs. Microsoft is among a slew of tech companies that have announced mass layoffs since the end of 2022, including 听1, and , among others. Tech layoffs represent an alarming trend in terms of their disproportionate impact on women and minorities who are already underrepresented in many tech firms’ workforces and could have far-reaching consequences, both now and in the future.

When staff layoffs are executed, considerations around diversity are often not prioritized. Essentially, the most affected by such layoffs tend to be the most vulnerable groups 鈥� women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals 鈥� as they often lack seniority or other forms of job protection compared to their majority counterparts. This means that even if companies strive to make their workforces more diverse, they may end up backsliding when they have to make cuts due to economic downturns or other reasons.

Technology solutions are more powerful and meaningful when developed by a variety of diverse individuals.

Without that diversity, the resulting solutions could be limited in their appeal or unwittingly biased toward one single uniform group. My reference to diversity goes beyond gender and includes a diversity of thought that is represented by different genders, cultures, upbringing, sexual orientations and educational backgrounds. Typically in tech companies, the people who struggle to move up or get recognized are these minority groups, and these are the people who typically get cut first.

Generational changes

There are several layers to this topic that create a systemic problem around diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. In my opinion, most of the barriers center around mindset and perception. Controversially, the perception that diversity is not critical for technology development or that men are better skilled in this space still seems prevalent. The next generation of people, the millennials, Gen Zs, and Alphas are prioritizing meaningful work, diversity and sustainable practices.

This is translating heavily into the tech community, as people are increasingly demanding that companies be responsible and represent the values that are important to them. This direction will play a role in holding a mirror up to tech companies, forcing them to not only improve their practices but also drive change across the industry.

Companies should take steps to minimize the impact of layoffs on their workforce’s diversity and inclusivity by engaging with vulnerable populations and providing resources to help them advance professionally. This will help them weather any storms and ensure a more equitable working environment for all employees.

is CEO of where she has advised many multinational companies across various industries in Europe, Asia and Africa for over a decade. She is also a Teaching Fellow at , and is the chair of the . Her latest book is 鈥淭he Human Side of Digital Business Transformation.鈥�

Illustration: Dom Guzman

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She had just thrown an event for , the Boston-based organization she co-founded with . She+ Geeks Out was created to empower more women in tech, and does so through national workshops, seminars, and happy hours.

“A woman came up to me and said ‘I just want to thank you for doing this event, I almost didn’t come because I’ve had some trauma recently and I just didn’t feel like I could do this,'” Murray said. Even though years have passed since, the moment reminded Murray that there is movement in getting women to feel more empowered within the workplace.

In this Proust Goes Tech, we’ll find out about Murray’s recent decision to ditch Boston for San Diego, her cheat to running long distance, and her two business ideas beyond She+ Geeks Out.

The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

What would you otherwise be doing right now?

Other than having lunch? I would probably still be an entrepreneur and run a business. I鈥檝e always had a lot of ideas. It would probably be something else I was passionate about. The last business I had was about helping people find non-toxic personal care products, because that was really hard to find. It was my own company, and I had the idea back in 2012. I also had another idea where people could come in and do photo shoots in beautiful spaces for the day.

Your main fault?

My biggest issue is impatience. It鈥檚 something I work on frequently. I try to slow down a little bit, and it鈥檚 one of the reasons I鈥檓 moving. I think Southern California is a slower pace and I want something to help me recognize that it鈥檚 okay to slow down and not to expect everything immediately.

I use the Calm app because I do my best to meditate. The other thing I do, which is probably even more helpful than meditating, is running. I鈥檝e started to do longer runs, and I did my first half marathon in May.

One trainer I keep looking at, she talks about how the limits when we鈥檙e running is not so much about physical discomfort but about impatience and wanting it to be done. That stuck with me.

The quality you most desire in a tweet?

I鈥檓 not a big Twitter person; I鈥檓 more of an Instagram person myself. But when I am on Twitter, I’m a big Giphy fan.

Your idea of misery?

Probably doing the same thing every day for the rest of my life without seeing any possibility for change. That is the worst. I definitely need to do different things frequently. I need to change it up a lot. It鈥檚 partly why I鈥檓 moving, and it鈥檚 partly why I鈥檓 running a business.

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

Showing up is a huge one. I really appreciate it and it doesn鈥檛 even have to be physically showing up. Being able to pick up the phone or text or reach out in some way? I think that is such an amazing thing because we鈥檙e all busy all the time.

Your chief characteristic?

Other than impatience? Just kidding. My chief characteristic is probably my sense of humor, and my almost-too-much willingness to say yes to things.

What skill do you wish you possessed?

I wish I was better at accounting. Thankfully we can hire someone to do that work. There鈥檚 so much to know around that, and tax law, and I wish I were more informed.

I would love to know how to scuba dive, too.

Your most impactful book?

. That was the book that taught me I can work for myself and have a different life. The idea is to set your life up so you can minimize the amount of hours you have to actually do the thing you do to make money, so you can live the life you want to live.

What defines success?

Waking up in the morning and feeling excited about the day.

When is confidence lost?

When people say no, when ideas aren’t validated, and when people ignore you. The older I get, the less these bother me, but when I was younger, my confidence would be shot and it would be hard to get back up and move on. I’m really lucky to have a strong support system and years of experience, so it’s rare [when] my confidence is lost.

Which buzzword is exhausted?

Probably diversity. I think people use the word diversity incorrectly. They use the word diverse to mean people of color鈥攄iversity is much broader. It鈥檚 a buzzword at this point. It鈥檚 nice that they鈥檙e starting to use it to include inclusion and belonging.

What virtues do others have that you don鈥檛?

I’d say patience, again. I want to do all the things right now. Completely unrealistic, and I try to learn from others when they look at me like I’m a crazy person.

What impact do you want to leave behind?

I’d like to leave the world a little bit kinder and more empathetic. Being human can be really freaking hard.

What鈥檚 the biggest problem tech is failing to solve?

Equity and climate change. SV is the land of disruption, but unless it makes money, there doesn’t seem to be as much of a real push to make change. Seeing the level of homelessness, illness, pain, and suffering among the wealthiest and most disruptive of populations is hard to comprehend. And what makes matters worse is that the success of tech companies have exacerbated the problem. Media coverage is plenty, and local government is stepping in but I haven’t seen tech leaders doing more to address the issue.

Illustration:听.