A landmark trial centered on alleged gender bias has opened up the dialogue about women in the workforce within Silicon Valley and within the venture capital arena, according to a key executive at Jabil Circuit Inc. It also points to the need for open and transparent corporate cultures because those environments provide a clear link between performance and promotions, said Meredith Kovarik , Jabil's director of supply chain, on CNBC's "Closing Bell." Kovarik was commenting on the lawsuit brought by Ellen Pao against her former employer, venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers .