Already buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming season, the Seattle Mariners hosted a very special WISE: Power Play event on March 12, 2024, at T-Mobile Park. We gathered to acknowledge Equal Pay Day, and participate in an evening of learning and sharing regarding pay equity, closing the wage gap, and creating opportunities for career advancement in our organizations. Led by WISE’s DEI Co-Chairs, Tara Buchan and Dani Carbary (TADA Partners), we heard from leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion, pay equity technology and sports business.
Equal Pay Day symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men did the previous year, (this year that is 84 cents for every 1 dollar for the very same amount of full-time hours worked). When we look at data across broad racial categories the pay gap gets much larger. Creating awareness around pay inequity through events like the Power Play: Equal Pay Day panel is an opportunity to learn more about making the workplace fair for all humans.
Special thanks to Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Chief Operating Officer- Seattle Sounders FC, Katie Bardaro, Chief Customer Officer- Syndio, and Mariko Blakely, Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager- PNC. Through an insightful panel conversation, followed by a highly interactive Q&A with attendees, these leaders shared their thoughts on creating equity of opportunity in business and in sport. This insight allowed for attendees to learn how they can invest in and take actionable steps toward positive change in the workplace and in our communities.