16 Aug 2021 Meet the GameChanger: Diversity & Inclusion 2021 TIA Finalists
Diversity and inclusion is a key priority for BC’s tech sector. Many BC tech companies are seeking to move the needle by setting an example to teams, investors, customers and the communities in which they operate. This award recognized an individual, team or organization/company in the tech sector who has gone above and beyond to make a positive – indeed game changing – difference on Diversity & Inclusion.
The GameChanger: Diversity & Inclusion award is presented in partnership with PwC.
Broadband TV (BBTV) is a Vancouver based media and technology company on a mission to help content creators become more successful. BBTV provides a comprehensive, end-to-end solution to increase viewership and drive revenue powered by its innovative technology, while allowing creators to focus on what they do best – content creation.
BBTV measures its success as a business by more than just the bottom line. The company examine four key performance indicators to gauge success – financial, people, social, and environmental. As an organization, BBTV has gone to great lengths to introduce programs and initiatives that result in positive change and greater diversity and inclusion. Some of these include the introduction of a diversity and inclusion committee, a guaranteed 0% pay gap between men and women, and robust commitment to receiving employee feedback through several channels.
Clio is a cloud-based legal practice management solution that helps lawyers and legal professionals deliver the highest level of service to their clients. Their software allows law firms to manage cases, contacts, calendars, documents, time entries, billing, payments, and accounting. The company’s revolutionary cloud-based legal technology has propelled Clio to their spot as a global leader in this industry.
Clio is committed to creating a more equitable future for everyone at their organization, through initiatives that focus on diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity (DIBE). Since 2020, the company has facilitated the creation of new company values and OKRs, an employee-led DIBE Council, recurring DIBE Discussion Groups open to the entire company, and Employee Resource Groups for members of marginalized communities and allies. In addition to these, Clio has also demonstrated its commitment to change outside of the organization, by donating money, software, and time to numerous different groups that share Clio’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in and out of the workplace.
Founded in 2011, East Side Games (ESG) is an independent, Vancouver based game studio that focuses on producing engaging and compelling narrative idle games and creating the technology for developers to tell their stories. The company believes in community-driven design, making games built for fans by fans. Some of their best-known mobile game titles include Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money, Archer Danger Phone, and It’s Always Sunny: The Gang Goes Mobile. East Side Games says their games and team have the same goal – to be inclusive and for everyone.
East Side Games demonstrates their commitment to diversity and inclusion in many ways. The company increased the percentage of female/undisclosed team members from 33% to 38% last year and committed to hiring 50%-100% female/undisclosed co-op students. East Side Games has also had fair pay equity since its inception. Another of their many diversity and inclusion commitments includes East Side Games’ commitment to increasing recruiting efforts aimed at Indigenous peoples as a priority, with the goal of hiring more Indigenous employees.
STEMCELL Technologies is a private biotechnology company based in Vancouver that develops specialty cell culture media, cell isolation systems and accessory products for life science research. The company’s 1,400 staff work to deliver 2,500 products of unfailing quality to consumers around the world.
STEMCELL Technologies takes great pride in its representation of diverse groups within the organization. Today, the company is 56% female, with 45% of the Executive team and 45% of the Board being female. STEMCELL Technologies is also made up of 45% people of colour in North America. The company has a transparent and open culture that makes it easy for people of diverse backgrounds to fit in and be accepted. This commitment is backed up by a robust Anti-Discrimination and Respectful Workplace policies providing staff, contractors and customers who experience racism or discrimination with formal complaint, investigation, and escalation procedures.
