Tanya Mehan: Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Yubi
In the rapidly evolving landscape of fintech, Yubi, formerly known as CredAvenue, has emerged as a trailblazer since its inception in 2020, right in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Headquartered in Chennai, the company has grown to employ nearly 1,200 individuals, establishing itself as a significant player in the industry. At the helm of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives is Tanya Mehan, who serves as the Head of DEI and Employer Branding. Her vision and leadership are pivotal in fostering an inclusive workplace culture that not only attracts diverse talent but also nurtures it.
The Back2Epic Programme: A Lifeline for Women in Tech
One of the standout initiatives under Mehan’s leadership is the Back2Epic programme, designed specifically for women looking to re-enter the tech workforce after extended career breaks. Recognizing the significant gender gap in technology roles, Mehan emphasizes the importance of such programs: “There is a lot of gap, where we can see that women are lagging behind in this area and it is majorly dominated by men.”
The Back2Epic programme targets women with long career gaps, including those who may have been out of the workforce for up to a decade. Participants are brought on board as interns and undergo a comprehensive 12-week training regimen. This training covers critical areas such as Full Stack Development, Group Support Systems (GSS), Cloud technologies, and Security. Following the training, the women engage in a six-week paid internship, after which they are evaluated for full-time positions, often being absorbed into the company as Senior Software Engineers.
Recently, Yubi successfully onboarded 14 women through this initiative, selected from over a hundred applications. This not only reflects the program’s effectiveness but also its commitment to empowering women in technology.
Gender Ratios and Leadership Development
Yubi’s commitment to gender diversity is evident in its workforce composition, with women making up 30% of its total employees. This ratio is mirrored in the company’s leadership levels, showcasing a consistent effort to promote women into senior roles. To further bolster this initiative, Yubi has implemented various leadership development programs aimed at enhancing the skills of its female employees.
One such program is the ‘Level Up’ bootcamp, sponsored for five promising women employees in collaboration with US-based Forem. Additionally, the ‘Women of Impact’ initiative has provided training in soft skills and theatre skills to 30 female employees, equipping them with the tools necessary for effective leadership.
Mehan articulates the company’s philosophy: “Focusing on creating a culture and cultivating values where diversity and inclusion are ingrained in everything we do attracts and retains talented women and makes them feel welcome and supported in leadership positions.” This holistic approach ensures that diversity is not just a checkbox but a core value that permeates the organization.
Innovative Hiring Strategies
Yubi’s hiring strategy is as progressive as its DEI initiatives. The company is currently piloting a program called ‘Blind Resumes,’ which aims to eliminate unconscious bias in the hiring process. By focusing on skills and qualifications rather than pedigree or gender, Yubi is committed to building a more inclusive workforce. Mehan explains, “Workplace diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us at Yubi. To build a robust hiring strategy, we continue hiring candidates from underrepresented communities, eliminating any unconscious bias through strategies like Blind Resumes.”
In addition to this, Yubi has actively engaged in campus recruitment, hiring 70 interns over the past year. This strategy not only diversifies the talent pool but also ensures that fresh perspectives are brought into the organization. Mehan believes that mindful hiring is essential for attracting the right talent with diverse skills.
Impact on Interns: Real Stories of Transformation
The impact of the Back2Epic programme is best illustrated through the experiences of its participants. Anand Vidya, an intern from the program, shared her journey: “Initially, we had our own apprehension as to how we would be handled. Beginning from the orientation call, we were given a lot of comfort and feedback. We were given guidance and made to feel at ease, which is generally not expected from a startup’s culture.”
Vidya’s training encompassed a wide array of technologies, including Full Stack Development, GSS, HTML, React, and Ruby on Rails, culminating in a Capstone project that integrated both front-end and back-end development. The feedback provided throughout the program was instrumental in her learning and reskilling process, highlighting Yubi’s commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment.
A Vision for the Future
Under Tanya Mehan’s leadership, Yubi is not just addressing the immediate challenges of diversity and inclusion; it is laying the groundwork for a more equitable future in the tech industry. By implementing innovative programs like Back2Epic, fostering leadership development, and adopting inclusive hiring practices, Yubi is setting a benchmark for other organizations to follow. The company’s holistic approach to DEI is not only transforming the lives of its employees but also contributing to a more diverse and inclusive tech landscape.