Hacking for Inclusion: A Day of Inspiration and a Call for Change

Capco recently hosted a hackathon in partnership with SheCanCode, focusing on financial inclusion. This event brought together women coders, non-coders, and allies to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world financial challenges. 

The day not only showcased the incredible talent in the women-in-tech community but also highlighted the ongoing barriers to inclusion that need to be tackled for a more equitable future in tech. 

We spoke to Suzanne Renwick to find out more..

Can you tell us a bit about the recent hackathon and its goals?

Capco recently partnered with SheCanCode to host a hackathon with a focus on financial inclusion. As a financial services consultancy, this topic resonates deeply with us, and it was clearly just as important to the diverse group of talented participants who joined us for the event.

The energy in the room was infectious, as women coders, non-coders, and allies collaborated to create meaningful solutions. Throughout the day, teams developed innovative tools like a maternity pay-aware financial calculator, a supportive community app for women, a pay data transparency tool, and even a web application to promote financial literacy. These were not just ‘another app.’ Each solution was born from a blend of personal experience, data, and a shared passion for driving positive change in financial services.

What feedback did you receive from participants?

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees valued not only the opportunity to apply their skills but also the chance to network with other women in tech. Some even shared how stepping into Capco’s environment gave them insight into what a future career path in this space might look like. It was inspiring to see how much they appreciated both the challenge and the supportive atmosphere.

How does the hackathon address broader challenges faced by women in tech?

While events like this are motivating, they also highlight the persistent challenges that women face in the tech industry. Despite the growing number of women interested in tech roles, they remain underrepresented due to unconscious biases that can infiltrate hiring and mentoring practices.

Research shows that these biases often appear in job descriptions, interviews, and hiring decisions. For instance, studies have found that working mothers, especially, encounter discrimination during the hiring process. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated this, as it disproportionately affected working mothers.

How can companies combat unconscious bias in hiring?

To create a more inclusive environment, companies need to take proactive measures. For example:

👉 Blind CV reviews: Research from the Human Resource Management Journal shows that introducing anonymous application procedures can significantly improve minority applicants’ chances of being invited for interviews, increasing the probability by as much as 33%.

👉 Diverse interview panels: A study in Administrative Science Quarterly found that ethnically diverse hiring panels reduce bias, leading to fairer evaluations and a higher likelihood of selecting minority candidates.

👉 Structured interviews: Structured interviews have been proven to be twice as effective at predicting job performance compared to unstructured interviews, as highlighted by a meta-analysis in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Standardizing interview questions ensures a more objective comparison between candidates, minimizing the impact of bias.

What role does company culture play in fostering inclusivity?

Hiring is just the beginning. The true key to inclusivity is a supportive company culture where employees feel empowered to share their unique perspectives. At Capco, our “Be Yourself At Work” culture champions this inclusivity. We regularly assess our job descriptions to ensure they use inclusive language, and we make it a point to include female colleagues on our interview panels.

The hackathon was a powerful reminder of the exceptional talent and determination within the women-in-tech community. As we continue to push for diversity and inclusion, it's crucial to remember that our goal isn’t just to level the playing field. It’s about unlocking the full potential of every individual.

What’s next for Capco?

We’re actively hiring for roles in technology and engineering. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact with your skills, we’d love to hear from you. Head over to our company pages for more information and join us in creating change.

Want to join Capco? 

If you’d like to join the team at Capco, then create a profile on the hackajob platform or log in to your profile here. 

Like what you've read or want more like this? Let us know! Email us here or DM us: X, LinkedIn, or Instagram, we'd love to hear from you.