Mallory McKewen

Supporting high growth Technology businesses in SWO.

Comments or opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of BDC or its management.

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal Thank you so much for hosting this critical conversation, and to everyone who tuned in for being a part of the change we want to see! #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A9. (2/3) A job interview goes both ways - showcase what you're capable of, but also learn if the role will align with your values and contribute to your career goals. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A9. (1/2) There are so many great companies focusing on D&I. Find a culture that fits you, don't change yourself to fit. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A8. Build a culture that gives women a place where they feel welcome & have room to grow. Lessen gender bias by ensuring more thought leadership comes from women. Visibility - ensure women are on stage at conferences,podcasts,etc. Show the world what we are capable of. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A7 Huge. I think there are so many men that want to be a part of the solution, but don't know where to start. Training about D&I for entrepreneurs and within corporations. Mentorship programs - help more women land/grow into leadership roles. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@ziyishimtl @LSPARKGlobal A6. (2/2) A2. More women angel investing to help these companies get off the ground. But, to create more women angels we need more women in leadership roles and to close the gender pay gap, etc. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@ziyishimtl @LSPARKGlobal A6. (1/2) A1. Training and accelerator programs for WEs - seeing our RICs do a great job of this! More funds focused on women or with it as part of their mandate -
@bdc_ca
Thrive is an excellent start. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@AnushaBDC @LSPARKGlobal Totally agree! #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A2. Women led startups have proven to do more with less - higher revenue per investment %, avg of $0.78 for women and $0.31 for men according to a BCG study. This shows us that diverse teams deliver stronger results. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A1. Diverse minds = diverse problem solving = greater innovation. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A2. Retention - Quit rate is higher among WIT. Ensure work life balance for women wearing several hats, make career advancement/development opportunities a priority (not just hiring in jr roles), improve the 'bro culture' so women feel welcome and comfortable. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A1. Hiring - Break down the gender bias among leaders/hiring managers, set goals for D&I, inclusive job descriptions and interviews. I see the goals for representation making this top of mind - high level of awareness. #SaasChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A3. But it's conversations like these that show such a positive evolution. D&I is top of mind for so many organization, tech and otherwise. This is laying the foundation for a better tomorrow. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A2. ~25% of STEM jobs are held by women, only 15% @ management level. 74% of girls aspire to work in STEM. Right now the quit rate is higher among women in Tech - how can we improve the culture for those girls who are our future? #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A1. One IWD I heard a stat that made me nervous. Covid caused women's careers to step way back in time - we lost a lot of the progress that we made. We need a focus now on getting back to where we left off and growing from there. #SaasChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A1. Culture. When we think of Tech Culture we picture a real 'bro culture' of hoodies, pizza, and beer. That's all awesome (and I personally like all 3 of those things), but building a culture of diversity is critical. Women need to feel welcome, comfortable, safe #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A2 One way to address is having VC funds focused on women, or training for funds that are agnostic. Also more women Angel investing. I'm really excited about what @bdc_ca is doing with Thrive VF & Lab #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal A1 Women can tend to be more modest/conservative. Tech is often focused on high growth, future potential, upside, etc. I've seen this tendency to forecast more modestly hold women back when raising capital, but it's a good skill to have especially in today's economy. #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal @AnushaBDC @naykhera @ziyishimtl @cwnsv @itscarotopo @A_Foget @elorrainewong @LottyPontones A2 I landed in this role after spending 4.5 years as an entrepreneur. I still build the odd Shopify website in my spare time. BDC fuels my fire by supporting entrepreneurs, and uses my educational bckgrnd which was in Finance #SaaSChats

[Mallory McKewen @MalloryBDC]

@LSPARKGlobal @AnushaBDC @naykhera @ziyishimtl @cwnsv @itscarotopo @A_Foget @elorrainewong @LottyPontones A1 I'm currently serving entrepreneurs as a Sr Acct Mngr in BDC's Tech Group - focused on high growth companies in Southwestern Ontario #SaasChats