As we begin another year in our partnership with Reign FC, I want to reflect on why the partnership is important to Avanade and to me personally.

Avanade is committed to increasing the number of women in the tech field, specifically in leadership roles, but honoring only women in IT isn’t enough to decrease gender disparity: We strive to empower women in all walks of life and recognize them for their critical roles in the community. That is why Avanade partnered with Reign FC professional women’s soccer team to sponsor the Reign Legends Campaign.

At each regular season game, we honor one woman as a Reign FC Legend in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to our community and beyond.

I chose to get involved with this program, personally, because in my role as our Seattle office lead, I want to see other women leaders acknowledged for their contributions to our community and provide an opportunity for our local employees to engage with a great local organization.

Over the past two seasons of our partnership with the Reign, we’ve honored nearly 40 amazing female community leaders, whose backgrounds range from sports to politics to business. They are such important roles models for all of us, but especially to young women.

I can’t wait for this coming season to celebrate our local team, Reign FC, and to honor a new set of Reign Legends.