Welcome to the first newsletter of TechWomen!
It’s been three months since I joined TechWomen in the role of Executive Director, and there has never been a dull moment with so many initiatives and projects on the go. For those who haven’t met me before, please feel free to connect with me directly on LinkedIn.
I have spent over 30 years in the technology industry; working within large multi-nationals originally, and focusing on the education sector in recent roles. I’m passionate about increasing the number of women considering careers in tech, which is why I’m inspired to continue developing the TechWomen community. The past few months, Eva Sherwood (the chair of the Exec Council) and I have been busy onboarding members to the council. Meet the Exec Council here.
This week we concluded our first Mentoring Circle Pilot Programme which has taken place in Wellington over the last four months with 12 mentees and 4 mentors. We can’t wait to collate the feedback from participants so we can roll out the second stage of the programme later this year.
In terms of priorities, creating connections, and developing collaboration within the community are high on our list. Conversations have begun with women in various technology groups, such as Global Women, She#, She loves Data and a few more, to create a central calendar for all events related to inspiring and educating women. Making it easy and accessible for women to succeed in the tech sector is our collective goal.
During Techweek, we will be running ShadowTech, providing girls in years 9 -11 with an opportunity to experience what working in the tech sector is like, and in turn encourage them onto education pathways that lead into tech sector roles. If you haven’t already registered, there are still spaces for mentors in all regions (it is a one-off event, not an ongoing programme). Sign up here.
We will also be hosting “There’s room – Broadening our networks together” after-work meetups around the country; remember to get your ticket if you haven’t already and ask a friend along too. Further information about the full range of TechWomen events can be found in our online events calendar.
In other news, we have been busy videoing the first round of our 100 TechWomen profiles in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. I have been privileged to meet and interview amazing women with some great stories, and can’t wait to share the finished product at a launch soon, with many more inspiring profiles to come as we develop the series over the course of this year.
With a busy month ahead, hopefully I will meet some of you at the various events taking place during Techweek, or at ShadowTech events around the country. I would love to engage with members on a personal level, so please introduce yourself if you see me at an event.
Best regards
Edwina Mistry
Executive Director
TechWomen NZ
FEATURES
Deloitte New Zealand created a video of their experience at ShadowTech Day 2017. Host organisations for 2018 can view it here for inspiration on how to structure their day.
Meet ShadowTech Alumni, Emalee Tea. She is currently doing a Bachelor of Computer and Information Science at AUT, after being inspired by her experience at ShadowTech.
TechWomen Executive Director, Edwina Mistry, shares her thoughts on mentoring in the digital age and encouraging young girls to get into tech careers.
EVENTS
Broaden your network and join us in our first Dunedin event, There’s Room – Broadening our Networks Together on 21 May. Also check out our other TechWomen networking meetup in Auckland on 24 May.
Register for the ShadowTech events happening in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, Palmerston North, Hamilton and Dunedin, and inspire the next generation to consider a career in technology.
Join TechWomen’s Edwina Mistry at the Hutt Stemm Festival on 16 May in Wellington as she talks about why only very few women pursue computer science and IT careers, and how we can start changing that.
Microsoft, in partnership with AUT, is hosting DigiGirlz, an event which aims to inspire the next generation of girls to be part of the tech future. Book your tickets for Microsoft DigiGirlz 2018 now.
Hear from NZ’s top corporate and government figures at the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Conference on 18-19 June. May early bird tickets expire in three weeks so register now!
The NZ Education and Technology Summit on 3-4 July brings together members of the education ecosystem to talk about the impact of technology across pedagogy, EdTech and digital resources. Register now.
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