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APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2024 NOW OPEN!

Conference

Momentum

 a career accelerator for 
 EMERGING TECH   LEADERS

 who identify as "firsts, few, or onlys".

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 30TH. APPLY NOW

BECOME THE LEADER YOU WISH YOU HAD.

Most leadership coaching programs fail to acknowledge - let alone, address - the many levels of inequality faced by historically marginalized talent.

Designed for and by startup operators, our program uses an intersectional and outcome-oriented approach that equips the new majority with the context, confidence, and community they need to successfully navigate the unequal terrain of modern workplaces.

Learn the landscape, play the game; level up. 

“When I began Momentum I felt a bit lost and unsure of what my next move would be. Momentum helped me feel confident in myself about the next steps to take in my career and introduced me to awesome people in the industry!”

Spring 2021 Momentum Participant

In this program, YOU WILL GAIN

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LEADERSHIP SKILLS
TO BOOST

CLARITY CONFIDENCE
+ CAREER

+ A POWERFUL, DIVERSE NETWORK
OF PEOPLE WHO
 
"GET" YOU

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a community of like-missioned PATHFINDERS

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...and a network of COMPANIES to learn from

The highlight of my week! I got so much out of connecting with other "onlys" with similar challenges and the tech speakers who not only faced the same problems but overcame them while remaining true to themselves.

Momentum Participant

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WHETHER YOU ARE

LGBTQ, MUSLIM, TRANSGENDER, NEURO-ATYPICAL, INTROVERTED, OR FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY


WE GOT YOU 

WE CAN HELP YOU
GET CLEAR
ON YOUR 
CAREER GOALS

TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER NARRATIVE

+ WIN

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Build Real MOMENTUM in Your Career

PROGRAM FEES STARTING AT $2500

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The summer cohort runs between 
 JUNE
-JULY
with kickoff week of June 10th

$1500

EARLY BIRD

GENERAL

$2000

SALE ENDS

April 30th

May 22nd

SALE ENDS
 

Program Overview

We started Momentum because...
THE HUSTLE IS REAL

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RACE. ETHNICITY. GENDER. EDUCATION. CLASS. AGE. ORIENTATION. ABLENESS. NATIONALITY.
Research shows that individuals who identify as first, few, only or under-represented on a tech team often experience:

  • Slowed career growth (from being overlooked)

  • Burnout, mental exhaustion from code-switching

  • Role & title confusion, experience devaluation

  • Self-doubt (from not being taken seriously)

  • Offensive or unwelcome comments, office "jokes"

  • Being torn between "speaking up" and being "that person"

  • Loneliness, social isolation at work

  • Absence of critical creative/thought partnership

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NO, IT'S NOT YOU. THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED

For too long, you've been expected to accept (and agree) with harmful, toxic, messages under the guise of "taking feedback well." We're here to tell you that you're more than how fear and insecurity view you. And we've got receipts.

To learn more, subscribe to our monthly NEWSLETTER

WE'RE ON A MISSION TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF BS ON  YOUR CAREER.
Yeah, we know progress is slow, changes are a-happenin', and there is more "wokeness" on the internet than every before. 

Someday, we may very well achieve the unimagineable - a world in which everyone gets a fair shot at achieving their potential. 

Till then, we'll be here equipping firsts, few, and onlys with the insider knowledge, unspoken rules, battle-tested playbooks, and  network they need to learn the game, then beat it.  

 
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SO DON'T CALL US A PROGRAM
    WE'RE A PLAYBOOK FOR REAL LIFE

Discover Your Power

Use our self-audit to chart your best path from where you are to where you want to be in tech.

Outsmart the System

Practice outsmarting mansplaining, tokenization, and other micro-aggressions like a confident pro.
 

Master the Landscape

Learn the politics and the facts on being under-represented in tech.

Make Waves (without repercussions)

Evaluate your company’s  potential for change; take action while avoiding pitfalls + becoming "that person".

Build Your Network

Map your network of sponsors, mentors, allies, and work buddies; connect with purpose.

Fortify Your Brand

Authentically integrate your personal, professional, and (dare we say) political brand to your advantage.

Questions about the Curriculum? 
CONTACT US
 

There is no MOMENTUM without ALLIES & COMMUNITY 

Sponsors
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MOMENTUM is supported by a community of GUEST SPEAKERS,
including storytellers, brand strategists, career coaches, wellness practitioners,
workplace culture shapers, and ​
organizational psychologists.

Sponsor the Next Generation of Inclusive Tech Leaders

for COMPANIES & HR LEADERS who invest in high-potential talent

Drive employee engagement and loyalty by investing in an outcome-oriented inclusive leadership and career coaching for the emerging leaders from under-represented backgrounds at your company.

for COMMUNITY & INDIVIDUAL ALLIES in the tech industry

Sponsor emerging leaders from systemically disadvantaged
backgrounds 
who may not have the moral support of their managers or financial support from their companies to attend.

MEET TEAM MOMENTUM

FOUNDER & LEAD FACILITATOR

I'm a startup executive with ~20 years leading product, design, engineering, and go-to-market teams to launch products around the world, and coaching senior leaders to facilitate inclusive workplace cultures at high-growth tech companies.

I'm also the founder of Project Lela, a legaltech platform that connects individuals experiencing workplace challenges to quality and affordable attorneys, and an angel investor who's passionate about mission-driven products, community, marketplaces, and the future of work.

 

Momentum was inspired by my career and life's work at the intersection of business, technology, leadership, and economic justice. I'm on a mission to develop the next generation of tech leaders, so I built the coaching program that I wish I'd had.

Hi, I'm Spectra

(She/They)

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We started MOMENTUM to pay it forward

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As tech industry veterans with more than 40 years of combined experience in the industry, and as members of multiple marginalized communities, we believe that you can do anything with the right guidance, support, and allies—and so we built Momentum to do just that: unblock access to the next generation of mission-driven, forward-thinking, inclusive, and successful tech leaders.  

Signed,

Spectra 

If you're a company who's serious about doing more to tangibly support under-represented leaders at your company and across the industry, GET IN TOUCH ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS

“When I began Momentum I wasn't confident. Week after week it got easier to speak up and really the value I brought to my company. As a result I was able to ask for a raise at my current position, apply to new roles, and receive offers from companies I never thought I could get into.”

Momentum Participant

Build Real MOMENTUM in Your Career

WHETHER YOU'RE PEOPLE MANAGER,
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR, OR CURRENTLY IN-TRANSITION

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Reviewing applications till May 31st (or till we're full). APPLY NOW

IT'S TIME TO LEVEL UP

TAKE WHAT'S RELEVANT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE

To establish our personal brands and become frequently requested speakers, consulted experts, and respected leaders in our fields.

( without burning out )
(or "selling out")

( even as "onlys" )

YOU WILL SHIFT FROM...

BEING OVERLOOKED TO BEING REGULARLY CONSULTED

FEELING PIGEON-HOLED TO TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR BRAND

STAYING STUCK IN A DEAD END TO GAINING REAL CAREER  TRACTION


NO FLUFF. BS.OR BEING TOLD TO "LEAN IN"
REAL TALK, REAL OUTCOMES.

a new era of inclusive tech leadership

welcome to

the
CONTEXT 

TO HELP YOU AVOID PITFALLS IN THE WORKPLACE WHILE STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF

the
COACHING

THAT ADDRESSES
THE UNIQUE 

CHALLENGES YOU FACE WITH COMPASSION

the
COMMUNITY

OF EXPERIENCED LEADERS, PEERS, AND ADVOCATES THAT GET YOU AND WILL SHOW UP FOR YOU

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PARTICIPATION CRITERIA

 
YOU MUST
at a bare minimum
  • Work at a tech company or a technical role (like IT).

  • Have an early or mid-career position (no CEOs, please)

  • Identify as a member of one or more historically (and systemically) marginalized communities

  • Relate to the experience of being a "first" "few" "only" or "different" on your team or in your company

and, also

  • Be able to contribute 2-3 hrs weekly for ~8 weeks

  • Be willing to show up openly and bravely to sessions

  • Be ready to spend time thinking about your power and privilege, alongside any systemic challenges you face

  • Be someone who believes in the power of RECOGNITION, RECIPROCITY, and COMMUNITY.

THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF...

You (already) have access to inclusive coaching (ha! who actually does?), positional power at your company, or the proverbial seat at the table.

(Momentum is ideal for mid- to senior- rising stars working full-time in tech-related roles or companies, regardless of contract type.)

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OUR PROMISE TO YOU
Because no amount of facilitation can match the level of psychological safety created by the DNA of your cohort.

Our goal for each cohort is to achieve a balance of affinity and diversity, so that no one feels like an 'only' in this program. While we can't guarantee hitting these goals, we commit to prioritizing the balance of identities and perspectives we seek over size. 
  • NO POSTURING
  • COURAGE & VULNERABILITY ARE CELEBRATED 
  • IMPERFECTIONS + REALNESS ARE CENTERED
  • 50% BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR+ (including 20% NON-BLACK, 50% LGBQ & TRANS*)
  • ​​NO "MEAN GIRLS" OR UNHEALTHY MASCULINITY (OF ANY GENDER)
  • NO ROOM - ZERO ROOM - FOR WHITE FRAGILITY
  • A CURATED COHORT, SO YOU ARE NOT "THE ONLY" BLACK / POC / NONBINARY /  INTROVERT / NERD / GUY / ETC
  • PRONOUN SHARING ENCOURAGED
  • CAMERAS ON FOR HEART-SHARES & REFLECTIONS, OPTIONAL FOR LECTURES or ANY OTHER TIME
  • COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION
  • CONSISTENT PRACTICE OF GIVING FIRST, GRATITUDE & RECIPROCITY

Got Questions?

Complete the form below to get in touch with someone from our team.

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Ready to build real MOMENTUM in your career?
APPLY for Summer 2024

Thanks for submitting!

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