There’s a serious lack of diversity in the technology industry. ITequality strives to take a stand at every opportunity to represent the voices of underrepresented groups in technology. As a company, ITequality is committed to diversity, and it’s own staff sets a high bar for what a diverse organization should look like. Collectively, ITequality is 50% people of color, 67% LGB, 67% TGNC. Unlike the tech industry in general, ITequality is less than 25% white male.
Remember, please don’t label people based on assumptions, stereotypes, looks, style of clothing, hair color, the presence of tattoos and/or piercings, etc. We are all human, and have a right to be our own authentic selves at all times.
And now, without further delay, let’s meet Kit Rockatansky, CPQ Specialist and Leadership with ITEquality.
What were you doing before you joined ITequality?
Long before ITequality, I was a professional graphic designer in Los Angeles. At the age of 26, my lifelong cPTSD finally really showed itself. Lost in a pool of anxiety, panic, and misunderstanding of myself and what I was going through, I quickly became unable to drive, work, or even socialize. It was a very dark time in my life. Unable to imagine myself back in an agency setting while I learned more about myself and my trauma, I decided to take baby steps. That brought me to a new “career” and turning a long time passion of mine into a business – Directly before I joined ITequality I was a full-time artist and full-time shift lead at Starbucks.
How did you learn about ITequality?
During a time of great distress due to changes in housing, I quickly realized that money was soon to be a major problem. Art and Starbucks are not enough to get you through California prices, unfortunately. At the time, my husband was acting as a personal assistant for ITequality CEO, Ashley Allen. I didn’t quite know what they did, but I knew it had to do with computers and I had experience in that. As a trans man, I thought Ashley would be the perfect person to reach out to, already knowing through my husband what their morals are and the type of environment they created for their workers. I asked my husband to reach out and ask if they knew of any LGBTQ+ friendly work environments in graphic design or something similar, and the next thing I know I’m being interviewed over lunch and learning about the world of Salesforce.
What have you learned since joining ITequality?
The amount of things I’ve learned, both professionally and personally in the year and a half I’ve been with this company is immeasurable. Not only do I understand Salesforce CPQ and how to implement and work alongside clients to give them the org of their dreams, being in such an accepting work environment in regards to trans and mental health issues, has allowed me space and support to better understand my trauma, and myself. It’s priceless.
What does being a member of the ITequality team mean to you?
Being a part of this team means to me that I am a part of a group of people who not only understand me, but go out of their way to defend my rights, and educate others. ITequality is paving the way to what I think every office-based workplace SHOULD be. We are giving the underrepresented incredible and lucrative skills in an industry that otherwise shuns us. Not only is witnessing and benefiting from this model at the top of my list, it feels really special to be a PART of it. To train new people like me, and to spread the message to clients through top-notch work that EVERYONE is capable of being in the tech industry regardless of their ailments or where they come from in life. Acceptance, patience, healing, and diversity are essential for the well being of our future, and I think this company is doing everything it can to make sure we get there.
Kit is just one of the amazing and diverse members of the ITequality team. Pushing the statistics of diversity in technology, and moving the needle of inclusivity. Watch for more team member introductions coming soon.
