Less than 30 percent of the world’s tech leaders are women. Cydni Tetro is on a mission to change that.
From the C-suite of multiple tech and marketing companies to the boards of groups like Intermountain Health and the Utah Innovation Fund, and now, as the chief innovation officer at Swire Coca-Cola, she’s held all types of positions in a variety of industries. Through every job and board position, one thing has remained consistent: creating gender equity.
“We have big challenges as a world, and they’re only solved when the brilliance of everyone comes together,” Tetro says. “If we don’t put more women around the table, I can tell you now, we won’t come up with the right solutions.”
Making change is a group effort, she says, and the impact she’s made comes from firsthand experience of navigating a common path alongside her peers.
“Throughout my career, I’ve asked the questions, ‘Why did I hit this roadblock?’ or ‘What caused this gap in understanding?’ and [those I’ve turned to for advice] have highlighted things that need changing,” she continues. “Anyone can do that, with intention.”
Tetro describes herself as an “activator” and believes that everyone has talents. She views her job as figuring out how to maximize those around her to do something greater than she could do on her own. What makes all this possible for Tetro is a clear and strict set of priorities.
“My family ranks No.1,” she says. “No. 2 is building my career so that I can provide for my family, and the No. 3 is giving back and influencing good things.”
The professional and service-oriented parts of Tetro’s life work in tandem. She puts her heart into companies and organizations that can bring about real change, she says, and she only puts time into things she’s passionate about. “It’s intentional. It’s a choice. I, along with everyone else, have a finite number of resources,” Tetro continues. “I know that a legacy of making a difference is a priority, so that’s what I’m investing in.”
Despite all her success, Tetro says she’s not done yet.
“10 years from now, I hope we actually don’t talk about women in tech because it’s just the norm,” Tetro says. “I hope everyone else working for gender equity and I have made such an enormous impact that, by then, that’s just how the world operates.” To Main Page