techrepublic.com - Tech company efforts to diversify by hiring more women are falling short in a key way: Leaving out women of color. "You see this in most large-scale initiatives built to create equality," said Aubrey Blanche, global head of diversity and inclusion at software company Atlassian. "When you focus on the larger group we call women, which is itself very diverse, you end up in a program that serves the needs of the majority in that group, which are white women."

Affirmative action programs have primarily benefited white women, a number of studies have shown. "We see that replicated in the tech industry, which is problematic, because we end up leaving women who don't fall into that camp behind," Blanche said. "You don't get as much diversity as you'd like."

Research shows that diverse teams are more innovative and creative, and that employees are happier. "As America becomes more diverse and globalized, it is smart to understand how to support greater diversity of your own workforce and of customers," Blanche said. "It's smart from a business perspective, and it has social impact."