Toyota Connected North America (TCNA) is deeply committed to empowering women to excel in technology and leadership roles. For the past two years, the Women in Tech (WiT) group has been at the forefront of this mission, driving remarkable growth and development among team members.
Since its inception in June 2022, WiT has created a supportive environment where any interested team member can learn, lead and thrive. Their mission is to educate, inspire and encourage women toward a career in technology, while also creating a more inclusive workplace culture for all. Every year they set their sights on a new goal: FY25 was aimed at promoting self-confidence, creating more influence and mastering the art of storytelling.
We are now seeing the true value of this group as members apply the knowledge and skills they've gained, taking on leadership roles both within WiT and in their positions at TCNA.
Members like Whitney Murray, have grown into more confident leaders and mentors.
Spearheading projects and initiatives have helped her gain confidence and experience in her role as a senior workforce planning and business strategist. "I attended WiT and learned to put myself out there, embrace change and grow both personally and professionally," says Murray.
In early spring, WiT members gathered to celebrate another successful year of programming. The event was a culmination of their activities centered around their goals for the year – whether that was through their book club, summer coffee talk series, Crucial Conversations classes, The Toyota Way training, volunteering with the Girl Scouts, and so much more.
The evening was filled with camaraderie and exciting activities. Awards were given out, deeper connections were fostered and teams had a blast making friendship bracelets as they toasted to a job well done. This celebration showcased the incredible achievements of members and the strong, supportive community that WiT continues to cultivate.
Lisa Frey, manager of Agile Services at Toyota Connected, a key advocate for WiT, aptly summarized the group's essence.
"The value of a group like WiT is not often realized immediately, but as we see our members grow, take on leadership roles and contribute to TCNA's success, the impact becomes clear. WiT is helping TCNA become a stronger partner to Toyota," Frey said.
Toyota Connected’s commitment to supporting women in technology and mentorship is not just a corporate initiative; it's a core value that drives us to build a better future for all.
