Girls in Tech Switzerland has recently partnered with On, a global sportswear brand founded in Switzerland. Today, we are happy to tell you a bit more about On and can’t wait to share with you our upcoming events and intiatives together.
About On
Born in the Swiss Alps, On is a global sportswear brand defined by innovation. Founded in 2010, we set out to shake up the world of running. Today, we remain committed to delivering trailblazing products for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities that inspire people to move – in whatever way they want.
Why does On care about diversity in tech?
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) are key priorities for us because, as our eCommerce Tech Lead Yan Niznik puts it, “technology’s brilliance can only be fully realized when the people behind it mirror the diversity of those it serves. So our commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just moral, it’s a strategic imperative.”
Which is why we’ve embedded D&I into every part of our culture, from onboarding to hiring, helping us to create a truly global team – one that features 90+ nationalities and a 50/50 gender split.
Technology’s brilliance can only be fully realized when the people behind it mirror the diversity of those it serves.
And that increased diversity is key when it comes to a successful team. “Different experiences and perspectives in our team foster collaboration, innovative problem-solving and adaptability. It also drives us to develop more inclusive and impactful solutions.” says Julia Becker, On’s Digital Engineering Tech Lead. “Having a diverse team of tech talent at On is something we’re proud of, but we’re committed to continuously improving and every team member plays a key role in that process.”
Different experiences and perspectives in our team foster collaboration, innovative problem-solving and adaptability.
The finish line isn’t in sight yet though. We’re also striving to improve D&I through the creation of inclusion groups – spaces where collective discussion and learning is actively encouraged. “We know that diverse groups are key to growth and innovation.” says Gioia Gerlin, Head of Technical Product Management, Technology. “I am fortunate enough to be part of a team that uses technology to solve problems and create something beautiful and valuable. As a mother to two young daughters, my mission is to help open up technology and engineering to groups of people who are deserving of chances and opportunities. Talent, creativity, perseverance, dedication and unity have no gender and lead to extraordinary things.”
One such group is OnPower. Dedicated to women in tech and with more than fifty members, they regularly collaborate with organizations, including Girls in Tech Switzerland, Girls in Tech Germany, PowerCoders and WomenHack, in a concerted effort to ensure equality in the technology industry.
Talent, creativity, perseverance, dedication and unity have no gender and lead to extraordinary things.
Why did On partner with GiT?
We’re striving to create diverse, equitable teams where everyone feels comfortable and safe being their authentic selves. Working with outside organizations helps us further this mission, while simultaneously allowing us to learn and grow thanks to their additional expertise.
Which is why we’re so proud to team up with Girls in Tech Switzerland. We believe that together we can create an inclusive forum in which our community can come together, network, exchange ideas and ultimately create a safe space to grow.
It’s through collaborations like this – as well as events like Hacking for Humanity in 2022 and the upcoming Fashion Meets Tech on August 30th – that we can promote and create a more inclusive work environment, one that has the chance to use technology to make a real impact and inform real change.
