Forecasts 2021
Randi Zuckerberg hails new tech fields ripe for women to lead
Speaking during Calcalist’s 2021 Forecast Conference, Randi Zuckerberg shares some of her insights surrounding women in tech and diversity
12:0008.03.21
“My goal has always been that if we want young people today to grow up and change the world and be the leaders of tomorrow, we need to train them in entrepreneurship and business skills from early on,” explained Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media when speaking at Calcalist’s 2021 Forecast Conference. “All of our programs strive to train people to be entrepreneurs of the future.”
Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media. Photo: PR
After conducting research on gender disparities in women in tech, Zuckerberg told CTech’s Ron Friedman that it’s around the age of 8 or 9 where gender roles take girls away from tech, entrepreneurship, or STEM subjects. “It was challenging to learn that. It made me change my business,” she added.
Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media. Photo: PR Today, there are many industries where women can join ‘from the ground floor’ to make sure they have an equal playing field to men, such as cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. “I feel optimistic and excited because there are so many new exciting areas and careers that women can get into on the ground floor, like the crypto and blockchain space,” she said. “It’s a brand new industry that women can get into on the ground floor. AI, AR, there are so many exciting things that instead of fighting the fight to catch up to where men are in legacy industries, maybe it’s time to think about getting in on the ground floor of these new groundbreaking industries and build big companies there.”
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While talking about the concept of leveling the playing field between men and women, Zuckerberg drew special attention to the Israeli army, which from a young age treats all Israeli citizens as equals regardless of gender or socioeconomic background. “One of the things I’ve admired and loved is how army service can really be a great leveling field if you look at it,” she said.
“In the U.S, once you get into a better college, you have a leg up and it’s hard to compete and you don’t have an opportunity to show your skill-set in different areas as you go into the workforce. With the (Israeli) military service. Anyone with any socioeconomic background and any level can show their industry expertise and talent and level the playing field a bit more, getting attracted to entrepreneurship that way.”
You can watch the entire exchange below.
