[cassiemc]

We're trying to nail down some of the issues ourselves. The issues our team has discussed so far are often amorphous or interpreted differently depending on context and person, so you can imagine they are difficult to pin down. Exposure and networking were a couple of the harmless problems we thought could help address immediately.

We do have several men on our team (more men than women, in fact), and don't at all intend "reverse sexism".

Also, just to clarify, this isn't just for startup women but for any lady working in tech fields – including those coders who sit behind big monitors all day and are reluctant to put themselves in the limelight or to serve as mentors/role models.

[japhyr]

I think you might be fine not mentioning specific issues yourselves. If you let women tell their stories in an open and honest way, the issues will come out in their stories.

If you craft some well-thought-out questions people will be likely to talk about the specific issues they have faced, how they dealt with those issues, and what kinds of supports they would like to see in their profession.

Focusing on people's stories is a great way to bring out these issues from the very people who have experienced them.