DEI@Cadence: Celebrating You!

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not just words but values that are exemplified through our culture at Cadence. In the DEI@Cadence blog series, you’ll find a community where employees share their perspectives and experiences. By providing a glimpse of their personal stories, we celebrate our One Cadence—One Team culture and the importance of sustaining it as we learn from diverse perspectives.

I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand…

Do these words from the famous Miley Cyrus song, "Flowers," resonate with you? If you work at Cadence, rest assured you can do all that and much more. You can do innovative work, network at conferences, write technical papers, file patents, participate in workshops, and attend health talks so that you can take care of yourself better than anyone else can!

As “Flowers” ascended the Billboard charts in 2023, I bore witness to an extraordinary year at Cadence, celebrating the achievements of women. For “you and me,” “two and three” was not just another year; it marked a significant leap towards cultivating an inclusive culture. It was a year of embracing our flaws, confronting challenges unitedly, exchanging narratives, and igniting empowerment within each other.
We did not win the Grammy, but we were certainly recognized as one of India's Best Workplaces for Women 2023!

Conferences and Events

“Your journey begins with a choice to get up, step out, and live fully.”
- Oprah Winfrey

We began the year with International Women’s Day, diving into topics like Unleashing Your Potential and Finding Our Ikigai. Both these sessions reminded us of our limitless potential and inner power. 
April marked the inaugural Cadence Women Conference (CWC India 2023), uniting over 240 women from all four Cadence India sites. It was a time to honor achievements, connect, and learn. The panel discussion on overcoming the “superwoman syndrome” empowered us with practical tips to embrace imperfections and build personal brands.

Following CWC India 2023, we shared its spirit across all four Cadence India sites through various activities for India employees, showcasing the contributions and competencies of various teams within Cadence.

In Noida, women employees stood together in a CWC formation for an iconic photo that captured the essence of our unity through the lens of equality.

October witnessed the global Cadence Women Conference (CWC) in San Diego, California, with attendees from 15 countries and a strong representation from India. Celebrating Women at Cadence under the #bettertogether theme aimed to strengthen the belief that our success multiplies when we support each other.

The “roar” of women at our CWC events led to the formation of 
Cadence Voice groups on communication forums, skill development, women wellbeing, and mentoring. These voice groups are being planned for our journey forward in 2024.

Technical Development 

“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”  – Kofi Annan

Cadence prioritized women’s professional growth through knowledge-sharing sessions covering technical skills such as paper writing, presentation techniques, and patent filing. Enriched with insights and practical tips, these sessions were instrumental in boosting our confidence and capabilities.

A special session led by Bishnupriya Bhattacharya, a technical leader at Cadence, inspired us to submit over 60 technical papers at 
IEEE WINTECHCON 2023, showcasing our expertise and contributions in the field.

Technical Leadership Connect (TLC) sessions, featuring Cadence leaders like Karna Nisewaner and Janet Olson, provided valuable mentorship and guidance. Through sharing their personal journeys, they instilled in us a sense of resilience and determination to overcome obstacles to seize opportunities for growth.

Workshops and Trainings

"Please help others rise. Greatness comes not from position, but from helping build the future. We have an obligation to pull others up." 
- Indra Nooyi

We participated in a series of workshops and training sessions aimed at nurturing our holistic development. Cadence organized workshops around the themes “Elevating Each Other”, “Unconscious Bias”, and
“The Art of Gender Rhetoric” to celebrate our strengths and promote inclusivity in the workplace.

Reflecting on these sessions, I realized the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s dynamic work environment.
My key takeaways from these sessions:

• Create a strong personal brand for success in personal and professional life.
• Behind every successful woman is a team of other successful women who have her back. Find your team.
• We are strongest when we cheer each other on.
• You have a voice, use it. Have the courage to say YES to opportunities and to say NO to anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Wellness

“When women take care of their health, they become their best friend." 
- Maya Angelou

The commitment of Cadence to employee well-being was evident through tailored Health & Wellness sessions, focusing on self-care and the holistic wellness of women employees. Topics covered included healthy eating, regular exercise, yoga, Zumba, stress management, and self-defense. These sessions aimed to enhance emotional and physical well-being among participants.

By prioritizing these self-care techniques and gaining valuable insights into holistic wellness, I found improvement in my overall quality of life and work performance, fostering a healthier inside and outside.

Summary

As I reflect on my 15 years at Cadence and the transformative experiences of 2023, I am reminded of the immense value of empowerment, collaboration, and personal growth. At Cadence, we are not just colleagues; we are a supportive community that celebrates diversity and strives for excellence together.

Nobody is superior,
Nobody is inferior,
We are simply unique and incomparable.
You are you; I am I…
At Cadence, we are all valued high.

We are “One Cadence – One Team”

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