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CompTIA CEO Describes Technology Industry’s Need for Diversity, Inclusivity

Todd Thibodeaux, CEO, CompTIA
Todd Thibodeaux

During ChannelCon 2017 earlier this month, CompTIA CEO Todd Thibodeaux's keynote made a compelling case for technology leaders -- and everyday entrepreneurs -- to address diversity and inclusivity in their businesses.

I nearly "live blogged" the keynote for ChannelE2E's readers. But frankly, as the keynote unfolded I knew a live blog wouldn't do the discussion justice. Instead of blogging during Thibodeaux's talk, I sat back and listened. And learned. And then I vowed to get my hands on a video recording of the keynote.

The Keynote Encore: On Demand

Fast forward to present day, and CompTIA sent me a link to the keynote (see below). The actual keynote starts at the 1 minute and 58 second mark:

Video link

Take a look. Listen closely. And determine what role you and your company can play in solving the major diversity and inclusivity issues that ultimately hold us all back.

Pause. Reset. Listen

Thibodeaux's words and perspectives are especially important amid the recent pain and horror that our nation witnessed in Charlottesville, Va. Admittedly, workplace bias and inclusivity issues aren't quite the same as white supremacists marching in our streets and allegedly murdering an anti-protester.

But frankly, we all need to take a hard look in the mirror. We need to understand the unspoken biases each of us may carry. And we need to work on addressing and eliminating those biases -- even the subtle ones that we think aren't harmful.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.