Significant strides, which are aligned with the advancements in the social and political landscape, have been made by industries all across the globe. Apart from emphasizing diversification and representation, a heavy premium has also been placed on breaking the barriers preventing women and minorities from securing a spot in their target fields. However, the world of tech, in particular, remains characterized by its considerable gender gap, a concerning reality that pushed the Pareja Family Foundation to take on the mission to build a culture of inclusion and belongingness in the space.
Pareja Family Foundation, which operates under the goal of cultivating leaders, providing tools and opportunities for women and minorities, and increasing their earning potential, is the brainchild of Leo and Ariana Pareja. As both children of immigrants, they are intimately familiar with the struggles that people who were not born to privilege often contend with. The Pareja’s have been lifelong entrepreneurs that took them from owning several small businesses to a venture backed tech startup with over 40 million venture capital.
The power couple’s latest move in the tech industry can be credited for the birth of the Pareja Family Foundation. This venture exposed them to the ins and outs of the sector and the experience sparked the passion that would eventually fuel the creation of their purpose-driven foundation.
“The entire tech industry is changing. More and more companies are no longer requiring a 4-year college degree and the old antiquated idea of hiring people based on what college they attended is no longer a thing. The opportunity to enter the tech space is no longer limited by someone’s ability to afford college, which opens up the career path to a whole lot of folks who have been previously left out.,” shared Leo Pareja, expounding on the impetus behind the establishment of PFF.
Currently, the Pareja Family Foundation is addressing the gender gap issue in the workplace through two initiatives, one of which is an apprenticeship program called Breaking Bias. A twenty-four-week boot camp that comes at no cost to the students, it serves as an avenue for women and disadvantaged minorities without a formal college education to learn how to jump-start a career in tech and secure positions in some of the most sought-after institutions in the federal government and technology sector.
WWL or Women Who Lead is another purpose-driven endeavor by the Pareja Family Foundation. At its heart is the recognition that gender income inequality, work-family balance, gender bias, and harassment are just a few of the many challenges that women face every day in the workplace. To guide women re-entering the workforce in navigating these waters, WWL connects them to small business owners, executives, managers, and other established authorities who can serve as mentors.
For Leo and Ariana, the Pareja Family Foundation is no mere venture—it is a driver of change and an advocate for what women and minorities deserve. “We are helping women escaping domestic violence, women who have lost their businesses due to COVID-19, and young, energetic kids that live in low-income neighborhoods just like the one I grew up in to have a shot at making a six-figure salary,” added Ariana.
In the years to come, the Pareja Family Foundation aims to intensify its efforts in bridging the gaps in the workforce. Through its programs, it hopes to make a difference in countless lives and enable success for more women and minorities.
Learn more about Pareja Family Foundation by visiting its website.
