In this episode of Make Sense, I sit down with Michele Heyward, a civil engineer turned founder of Posi+iveHire, where she helps employers create cultures to recruit and retain black, LatinX, and native women engineers, scientists, data and technical professionals. In this episode, we talk about AI ethics, where engineering and construction cross paths, and the call for more women and women of color in engineering and technology.
Show Notes
00:00 – The very important people behind innovation and technology
00:25 – Meet Michele and Lindsay
03:30 – What’s the deal with indoor farms?
07:13 – Can we extract carbon dioxide from the air?
11:03 – Pursuit of non-traditional candidates will expand talent pipelines
14:35 – Sam Altman fired from OpenAI… what’s the scoop?
26:12 – Where engineering and construction cross paths
34:04 – The failures of non-diverse technology and engineering teams
39:43 – Do women fear harassment on male-dominated engineering and construction teams?
50:28 – What white women can do to make space for women of color in tech
About
Make Sense is a weekly series dedicated to talking about startup stories from the past, hysterical or mind-numbing blunders, how to do better. We also discuss how tech impacts us and how we can raise the bar when it comes to the ethics, morals, and standards in the tech industry.
About Michele
Michele Heyward is founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and underrepresented women in STEM professions. Michele is a civil engineer who is an experienced project manager in the energy sector armed with technical sales and technology transfer experience.
Michele’s vision is to not only help black, Latina and indigenous women find inclusive workplaces, but to prepare enterprises to receive them, and help those enterprises recruit them. This approach makes PositiveHire the premiere recruiting platform for black, Latina and indigenous women professionals.
Michele has a B.S. degree in civil engineering and a M.S. degree in industrial management, both from Clemson University. A South Carolina native, Michele enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, Toastmasters, and making connections personally and professionally. Michele has a passion for engaging with others on social media.
Connect with Michele on LinkedIn: 
/ michelecheyward Follow PositiveHire on Instagram: 
/ positivehireco Visit PositiveHire’s Website : https://positivehire.co/
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