Encouraging more women to seek careers in the technology sector will require individuals in the industry to spark change. Sara Spivey, chief marking officer at Northwest Austin-based Bazaarvoice, said solving gender disparity in the tech industry should not be just a woman’s problem. At a March 15 panel during South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals, she cited research that shows more diverse business teams equal more innovation, better product outcomes, higher return on capital and a better bottom line. “Everyone has seen those stats for 10 years, and yet change is slow,” she said. “We really have to reframe the dialogue that this is a business issue. It has real economic consequence.” Spivey said companies also need to be aware of who they hire. “Homogenous teams do not lead to good innovation,” she said. Heather J. Brunner, CEO of WP Engine, which is based in downtown Austin, said having more women in management roles will influence other women to attain those roles. “Part of the issue in tech [of] why do [women] drop out is not enough women are making it into management to that next level,” she said. “What are we doing to be more conscious of that? How are we thinking of our hiring practices to be more open, to be more inclusive, not only of women but other ethnicities, beliefs, etc.” Brunner also stressed that women who are interested in the tech industry do not have to become an engineer. She said there are other functions in which women can thrive, such as strategy, finance, marketing or sales. “Let’s use the power we have as technologists to go drive that change and give more opportunity for women to lead in all roles,” she said.