According to McKinsey, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. However, in a different survey, the firm also found that 27% of diversity and inclusion (D&I) leaders have put all or most D&I initiatives on hold because of the pandemic. 

Against this backdrop, those who continued to champion D&I in such a difficult year hold a special place in our hearts. We’re tremendously inspired by the fact that many of our partners have adopted the 1:1:1 Philanthropy Model to improve communities throughout the world. These partners have dedicated their time and resources to continue driving the values of equity, equality and inclusion forward. 

Read on for how three leading partners are using their businesses as a platform for good. 

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Apisero’s VRVSS scholarship program creates equity for underprivileged individuals

Apisero launched its VRVSS scholarship program with one goal in mind: to leverage its MuleSoft expertise to help underprivileged individuals and those struggling to find employment build a career with MuleSoft.

Those accepted into the VRVSS program receive Apisero’s industry-leading training, mentorship, and hands-on experience working side-by-side with MuleSoft-certified professionals to develop their MuleSoft expertise. This 6-12 month program includes access to Apisero’s internal training program, hands-on platform experience, a living stipend for qualified candidates, and MuleSoft Certification. 

As a MuleSoft Certified Developer, these individuals are prepared to start a career in  technology. Since the launch of VRVSS, Apisero has accepted 50 candidates into its scholarship program, of which 35 are currently in training, and 15 have successfully completed the VRVSS program and are now MuleSoft Certified Developers. All 15 have reported employment as a MuleSoft expert within two months of the program’s end. 

Apisero plans to roll this initiative out company-wide by the end of 2021, allowing its employees a chance to give back to the community by donating 1% of their income and 1% of their time to training, mentoring, and guiding the candidates of the VRVSS program.

Deloitte strives for a diverse tech community with Codename MAXINE

Codename MAXINE is a Deloitte-led community and network created to bring together and support female MuleSoft practitioners and other under-represented groups within the wider tech industry, both within Deloitte and externally.

The community is driven by the purpose of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across its network, and uses Deloitte’s events to cover topics aimed at enriching the lives of all those working in the digital space.

“Through its global efforts, Codename MAXINE has created a vibrant community across the UK, US and India – holding dozens of community events across the world”

The goals of Codename MAXINE are to make MuleSoft technical roles accessible for women and other under-represented groups, build a close network of diverse MuleSoft specialists, and launch chapters of the network globally. The community brings together thought leadership, mentorship, and experiences to help the group grow and deliver.

Through its global efforts, Codename MAXINE has created a vibrant community across the UK, US and India – holding dozens of community events across the world, covering MuleSoft technology demos, community spotlights, panel sessions and career talks from senior MuleSoft and Deloitte employees. The Codename MAXINE initiative has materially increased gender and ethnic diversity awareness in Deloitte’s MuleSoft practice and across its wider community of over 2000 practitioners.

CloudGaia makes technology accessible for schools in Argentina

CloudGaia has been a member of the Pledge 1% initiative since 2016. As part of the pledge, the organization dedicated 1% of its employees’ time to help its community in Argentina during the pandemic in 2020. Schools were closed and classes were moved to the virtual world, which was challenging for students who did not have access to a computer at home.

Team members from CloudGaia’s MuleSoft practice volunteered to help the students who couldn’t attend remote classes by donating laptops and taking advantage of WhatsApp, which runs on data consumption that is not charged by the phone companies. The MuleSoft practice members communicated and shared the classroom content and files with the students through WhatsApp. If the material was a video, the team members would reproduce it, filming it in WhatsApp video for the students to access. 

To prepare these students for the modern economy, CloudGaia went even further by introducing informatics tools and teaching Google Workplace tools to the students to supplement the curriculum. With CloudGaia’s commitment to digital equity in its community, the students were able to complete their school year successfully.

Business as a platform for change

At Salesforce, we believe the business of business is to make the world a better place and that companies can be powerful platforms for social change. Our partners are not only driving technology innovation, but leveraging their technical capabilities and skill sets to drive forward equality, diversity and inclusion. 

We’re proud of our partners and ecosystem for continuing to drive change and inspiring others to do good for the community. Together, we can accelerate progress toward a more just and equal society. 

To learn how businesses can be a platform for change, check out MuleSoft’s CIO Unfiltered episode with Elaine Montilla, CIO of The Graduate Center at City University of New York, on solving the problem of diversity and inclusion in tech.