C.H. Robinson, solves logistics problems for companies across the globe and across industries, from the simple to the most complex. With $21 billion in freight under management and 19 million shipments annually, they are one of the world’s largest logistics platforms.
As a responsible global citizen, C.H. Robinson is proud to contribute millions of dollars to support causes that matter to the company. This includes supporting the growth and prosperity of tech in their home state of Minnesota. Based in Eden Prairie, MN, C.H. Robinson is a prominent MnTech member, benefitting from and contributing to the tech talent efforts, communities and resources that the Minnesota Technology Association strives to uphold.
Supporting diversity and talent in tech
Meaghan Kirk is a talent acquisition manager at C.H. Robinson. She’s also a steering committee member for the Tech Talent Community, a MnTech Community of Interest dedicated to developing effective strategies to inspire, hire, develop, and retain technology talent in Minnesota. Kirk saw great opportunity within this community and was drawn to the diverse representation of its members which ranged from non-profits to large corporations.
“We all have slightly different challenges,” Kirk said, “but there is no doubt we have the same goal of building a rich tech community of diverse talent in the Twin Cities and we know we can’t do it alone.”
C. H. Robinson strives to not only engage with the talent they need today but to also invest in the talent they’ll need ten years from now. In addition to their $1 Billion investment made to support new technology over the course of five years, C.H. Robinson employees are also investing their time to help guide and support the next wave of tech professionals.
One prime example was C.H. Robinson’s Director of Software Engineering Heidi Hegenbarth, who gave her time and insight to speak at a recent Tech Careers 1.0 event, How to Develop Your Tech Career During an Evolving Professional Climate.
“Our seasoned tech professionals are looking for ways to engage with early career talent and these events make it easy for us to give them those opportunities,” Kirk said.
A passion for collaborative learning
The team at MnTech were delighted to engage and partner with C.H. Robinson during so many events this past year. C.H. Robinson employees did everything, from participating in our data and product peer forums, contributing to an inclusivity in talent panel, and speaking at the Tech Connect Conference!
The technologists at C.H. Robinson are passionate about what they do, Kirk explained, “They want to share that passion and their knowledge with both technical and non-technical individuals; the events that MN Tech hosts allow them the opportunity to do just that […] I’ve learned what internal programs our peers at Target, Best Buy, and Thompson Reuters are doing to promote diverse and inclusive cultures and plan to continue looking at ways to leverage their experiences to expand our programs at C.H. Robinson.”
Where opportunities are made
C.H. Robinson’s IT Supervisor Cynthia Virnig found her MnTech calling as a board member of the Women Leading in Technology (WLiT) community. This past year, WLiT partnered with Girls Who Code to help a local community bridge the gender gap in technology by setting up the first GWC club in District 196 (Rosemount, Apple Valley and Eagan).
“CHR is striving for a more diverse workforce and this is one-way WLiT can actively work to make this a reality,” Virnig said. “What we really love about the GWC mission is that they focus on getting girls interested in technology in elementary school and keeping them interested through middle school and high school […] The District 196 GWC Club partnership formed because a need for a facilitator was discovered through conversations with MnTech, Genesys Works, and WLiT Leadership.”
If not for a conversation that took place at a WLiT event, this partnership might have never happened. MnTech events are places where members of our community come together, where they express their needs, collaborate on solutions, and create opportunities that benefit not only those immediately affected by the outcome, but those inspired by its influence.
“I hope to continue connecting our employees to opportunities within the broader MN Tech Talent community and helping to build the workforce of the future,” Kirk said. “I’m looking forward to the day where there is no competition for tech talent because we worked together to build and foster a rich and vibrant community of technologists.”
