November 2017 Summaries

ReadMe hosted its first API Mixtape conference, aiming to foster a strong, inclusive community within the tech industry by prioritizing diversity, particularly in gender representation among speakers and attendees. The event successfully attracted nearly 300 participants, with a notable 30% of the speakers and 29% of the attendees being female-identifying, surpassing industry averages from tech giants like Google and Facebook. The conference organizers were intentional about promoting diversity by selecting a varied set of speakers, offering discounted or free tickets, and engaging with local and educational groups to ensure broader representation. Despite these efforts, they acknowledge the ongoing challenge of achieving full gender parity and are committed to refining their strategies for future events to include more underrepresented minorities, ensuring these groups remain integral to their community.

Sean has joined the ReadMe team remotely from Seattle, Washington, as a member of the engineering team, with interests in user experience and product development. He enjoys motorcycling, photography, and bouldering, activities that complement the picturesque Pacific Northwest. An enthusiastic reader of science fiction, Sean's favorite novel is "Ready Player One."