It is fitting that a bicycle tech company would have a diverse cast of engineers and other technical professionals. The end product is accessible and equitable — bicycling is fun, affordable, healthy and sustainable.
Leading bicycle component manufacturer, SRAM, has a thriving community of women in its ranks. Ruth Black, a technical program manager at SRAM told Built In Colorado that the company organizes social events and encourages mentor-mentee relationships to help empower women in the company. And not just one such relationship
“I’ve had multiple mentors throughout my career in different capacities,” she said. “They include technical upskilling, corporate acumen, career strategy and leadership excellence.”
Read on to learn more about the initiatives women take at SRAM to make camaraderie and support a fundamental practice in advancing careers and the company.
SRAM is a global supplier of bicycle components — shifters, derailleurs, brakes, chains, suspension and power meters – sold to manufacturers and through retailers.
What source of community have you created or sought out as a woman in tech?
I recently established a quarterly event to bring SRAM women together in a casual setting. Our first meet-up was Bring-Your-Own-Lunch, and we provided dessert and conversation starters. I challenged everyone to schedule a coffee date with someone new as their “party favor.” The initiative has been met with a lot of enthusiasm and great participation — 75 percent attendance rate! There’s power in building out a local network, especially across job functions. Organized social events create space to make new introductions, often leading to surprising connections and a sense of community. It will be exciting to see this group of women engineers collaborate in the future!
I think it’s important to also stay in touch with remarkable, inspiring peers and mentors from the past. Every year or so, I make the effort to drop a friendly note to check in, catch up on life events and celebrate their current adventure. The tech industry is so vast, and it’s really cool to see where it can take women in different directions. Maintaining these connections has shed light on different companies and industries from trusted sources, and I always return the favor.
How have you benefited from mentorship and networking opportunities? Provide an example of an impactful professional relationship you’ve built.
Finding the right mentor takes time and vulnerability, but it is totally worth the effort. I’ve had multiple mentors throughout my career in different capacities: They include technical upskilling, corporate acumen, career strategy and leadership excellence. Finding someone you trust is paramount, but I would also encourage people to seek mentors who vary in background, personality and experience — people who are more likely to challenge your way of thinking. I believe it’s healthy to hear diverse perspectives; take what resonates and reflect on what doesn’t.
Mentors can be great sounding boards and advice generators, but I’ve benefited most when mentors organically turn into sponsors — people who will advocate for you behind closed doors. It takes time to invest in these relationships, but my advice is to be bold. Share what you’re working on, explain short and long-term goals, show your passion and expertise and ask great questions. People are attracted to positivity and doers. You’ll be surprised at how many colleagues want to help you succeed.
What are the benefits of fostering a community of women in tech, and how does it contribute to individual and collective success?
Women in tech can take many paths to a variety of inspiring opportunities. SRAM has a blend of engineering stripes, those being in mechanical, industrial design, electrical hardware, software, technical writing, test automation functions and more.
We have to fight feelings of isolation and provide professional and emotional support.”
But it’s easy to get siloed into your respective function and miss out on what’s happening externally, sometimes even being left behind. We have to fight feelings of isolation and provide avenues for professional and emotional support.
It is inspiring and empowering to witness the career paths and epic accomplishments of fellow women tech professionals. Whether we’re seeking C-suite status, contributing to academia, thriving as an individual contributor, leading teams of any size, raising a family, investing in side hustles or startups — or all of the above — we all are part of the community of women in tech, and we need a supportive environment to thrive.
