Microsoft WMB Woman in Technology Award 2011

One of the country’s largest employers, Microsoft, has continued its commitment and support to Ireland since we first established a manufacturing facility employing 100 people in 1985. Today our operations in Dublin comprise 1,200 people working at the EMEA Operations Centre, European Development Centre, the sales and marketing group for Ireland and Northern Ireland and the European Data Centre.
 
Microsoft Ireland is committed to the promotion of diversity and inclusion amongst its employee base, an initiative spearheaded by the 2009 WMB Businesswoman of the Year, Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of EMEA Operations Centre. As a company, Microsoft has a corporate commitment to the principle of diversity and we believe diversity enriches our products, empowers us to provide excellent customer service, enhances the lives of our employees and connects us to the communities in which we live and work.
 
Cathriona Hallahan is committed to driving Women in Leadership initiatives – both internally in Microsoft as well as externally across the IT industry. Cathriona is particularly passionate about sharing her experience with young recruits – specifically with young women who are just commencing their careers. We have a longstanding relationship with WMB who deliver excellent resources for women in industry. It is for this reason that Microsoft is proud to sponsor the WMB Woman in Technology Award. In recent years there has been a drop in people, including women, pursuing careers in technology, engineering and science. We believe that recognition of and highlighting the rich and varied careers available to women in the technology industry will encourage more young women to pursue careers in IT.
 
Now in its second year, the Microsoft WMB Woman in Technology Award will be presented to a woman who has contributed to the success of her company. This Award will be presented for innovation and leadership and the winner will have shown aptitude and passion in the technology field. This Award has been created to recognise the immense importance of encouraging more women into careers in technology.