CloudNOW Launches Inaugural STEM Scholarships Underwritten by Google and Accenture

Fund to enable women studying technical fields to advance their
learning at both accredited and alternative vocational institutions

SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CloudNOW, the executive consortium for the leading women in cloud and
converging technologies, today announced the launch of its first STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Scholarship Fund.
The fund is made possible by grants from Google and Accenture, with the
goal of enabling the next generation of leaders in overcoming social and
financial inequities.

CloudNOW will award the scholarships to women committed to studying
technology at a traditional university or an alternative vocational
institution (coding bootcamps, accelerator programs, etc). The first
funds will be applied towards students studying in the U.S. with an
international fund anticipated to follow in 2018. In total, Google and
Accenture have donated $20,000 for the pilot phase of the CloudNOW
Scholarship Fund. Funds will be divided between multiple applicants to
be selected on a basis of merit, leadership potential, and need.

“The CloudNOW Scholarship Fund will contribute to a greatly needed shift
in the tech industry as we work together to combat inequality and work
towards social justice,” said Jocelyn DeGance Graham, CloudNOW Founder.
“We know that diverse organizations are stronger ones, and to get there,
CloudNOW and our amazing partners are supporting the next generation of
leaders.”

“This is the type of initiative that will provide the technology
industry with a vast new infusion of skills, talent and leadership that
is way overdue,” said Vint Cerf, who is widely considered to be the
“father of the Internet” and currently is resident at Google.
“Technology has always been driven from a grass roots level up and shown
that the best minds, when given a chance, can change the world. This
scholarship is concrete step in leveling the technology playing field.”

“The cloud is playing a pivotal role in how the world’s leading
enterprises transform their business operations, so it’s especially
important that we spotlight the new skills and methods needed for a
successful Journey to the Cloud. Accenture is committed to initiatives
like this scholarship, which help nurture the next generation of
innovative and diverse technology talent, while removing barriers to
employment,” said Jack Sepple, Senior Managing Director, Accenture Cloud
and Accenture Operations Group Technology Officer. “We are proud to
partner with CloudNOW, not only to inspire more women to pursue STEM
careers, but to provide them with the guidance and support that opens
doors to learning and career opportunity.”

CloudNOW will be announcing the academic programs selected to receive
scholarship funding later this month. To learn more, or participate in
our upcoming international STEM fund contact Jocelyn DeGance Graham: jocelyn@cloud-now.org.

About CloudNOW

CloudNOW is a non-profit consortium of the leading women in cloud
computing, providing a forum for networking, knowledge sharing,
mentoring, and economic growth. To learn more, visit us at cloud-now.org.

Contacts

CloudNOW
Jocelyn DeGance Graham
jocelyn@cloud-now.org