Women at Microsoft

Women at Microsoft (WAM) is the women's employee affinity group at Microsoft.

Facts About WAM

WAM was founded in the fall of 1990.

More than 10,000 women employees worldwide are currently members of WAM.

WAM maintains chapters worldwide, including in Washington, New York, California, North Carolina, Europe, and Asia.

Suzan DelBene, Corporate Vice President, Mobile Devices Marketing, serves as the group's executive sponsor and liaison to senior management.

WAM and the Community

WAM is committed to actively contributing to the growth and development of local communities, with a particular focus on educating youth and exposing them to emerging technologies and career opportunities in the information technology industry. WAM's activities include:

The WAM Scholarship Fund. Each year WAM awards two scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduate women who are attending a college or university in the state of Washington and working toward a degree in a computer-related major.

DigiGirlz Day. In 2006 WAM introduced the DigiGirlz Day for young women in high school. Designed to provide young women with an opportunity to discuss their college plans, the annual event features guest speakers and networking sessions focused on enabling young women to explore the opportunities available in technology and business careers. For more information on the DigiGirlz Day, contact msgirlz@microsoft.com.

WAM and Employee Career Development at Microsoft

WAM works within the Microsoft corporate environment on a number of initiatives and programs. These include:

A mentoring program. WAM coordinates mentoring rings that match employees with other WAM members. The goal of the program is to provide support and advisement for career advancement and development.

Diversity initiatives. WAM partners with Microsoft's executive leadership teams to define and implement corporate diversity initiatives companywide, such as Women's History Month celebration and Corporate Diversity Strategy. WAM also provides consulting for the product development groups.

Employee development. WAM coordinates an annual women's leadership and development conference for more than 3,700 Microsoft employees from around the world. Designed to provide women employees with an opportunity to discuss common goals and network with one another, the multiday conference features speeches and breakout sessions focused on recruitment, development, and retention of women at Microsoft.

For more information about Women at Microsoft or for speaking opportunities, please contact the Women at MS Executive Board.




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