Robert Postill takes home #TechDiversity award for commitment to women in coding

In their own words, #TechDiversity celebrate leaders and champions of diversity in the digital technology sector. Last week’s 2016 #TechDiversity awards saw the best and brightest in the tech world join together to celebrate commitment to the pursuit of diversity in the tech.

Robert Postill, CTO of Donesafe; the People's Safety Software and member of RailsGirls Australia, whose aim is to “give tools and a community for women to understand technology and to build their ideas”, took home the Education award for his commitment to women in coding. He had this to say:

“I’ve been coding all my life. The industry has been really kind to me, but I’ve had growing sense of unease about the shrinking number of women remaining in and entering the IT industry.”

In 2010 Robert set out, in support of diversity in technology, to hire his first female developer for his team. After six months he was successful in finding a good candidate with limited experience. However he realised that something more needed to be done to allow future generations (like his own daughter) to find a place in technology.

What started as a smaller 30 female event has now become a free, twice-yearly, event for any female who wants to learn to code. The two-day event includes workshops, industry engagement, mentoring opportunities, recruiting pipelines and publicity.

Robert Postill, with the help a growing group of organising teams, has now extended the program Australia Wide.

“720 Melbourne women have learned to code so far; and women in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane are also attending RailsGirls events. It’s such a great outcome and a fantastic time for women whatever their background to give coding a try.”