CASE STUDY:
Launched in 2013, Canva grew to become the world’s leading all-in-one platform for visual communication and collaboration. Built to empower everyone to design, Canva serves enterprises, small businesses, consumers, students and teachers across the globe.
The Opportunity
When Canva partnered with Project F in 2019, they recognised that continuing to build a team with diverse identities, perspectives and lived experiences was key to achieving their mission of empowering the world to design. A significant opportunity they identified was building a more inclusive and equitable environment across software engineering to increase the gender diversity of its teams.
Solutions
Project F’ undertook a detailed examination of Canva’s systems and processes then translated the findings into a detailed report and actionable roadmap with clear recommendations and referenced data points.
Some of these recommendations included the development of high-potential women into leadership, and uplifting existing policies, practices and processes in ways that would foster inclusivity.
The Results
As a result of being a part of the Project F Accreditation Program and implementing Project F’s recommendations, Canva experienced a range of benefits, including:
The launch of an emerging leaders program for high-potential talent that has seen more women advancing to senior levels
Improvements in the quality of post-interview feedback from hiring managers
Increased gender balance across Product and Design teams
Improved retention of women in engineering roles
The introduction of equal paid parental leave (ie the same amount of leave for all parents), resulting in higher engagement in Canva’s parent and carers community
Project F also supported Canva by identifying and referring women candidates and a number of talent-pooled candidates were interviewed and offered roles.