A Big Thank You to the Techwomen 2013 mentors

Guest post by Josephine Ndambuki, 2013 Emerging Leader from Kenya

Josephine Ndambuki with her mentor, Christy Tonge, at the TechWomen Welcome Orientation on October 7, 2013

One of the things that have struck me with the Techwomen program is the overwhelming support I am receiving from the mentors. Likewise, the many ladies I have talked to also bubble with excitement while narrating the experience during the last activity or the plans for an upcoming event. The mentors have been generous with their time, creative in activity suggestions, patient with us, and very considerate. These amazing women have opened the doors of their offices, homes, families and resources to make this an experience of a lifetime for us. I couldn’t be more thankful.

As soon as I received my Mentors’ profiles, I was amazed by the wealth of experience that they had. They are experts in their fields with incredible credentials and experience in their fields.  In the midst of the excitement at my match, I was a bit uneasy about what to expect in the mentor/mentee relationships, noting that these were incredibly busy women in their own right.

But as I complete my first week at work, I am amazed by the kindness and generosity extended by both my mentors. Rekha Pai and Christy Tonge, thank you for offering yourselves to be a part of my Techwomen journey, for listening to my dreams and believing in them, being my “Genies” and encouraging me to go for them. And for the many other mentors who have offered to be part of this journey, we celebrate you.

I am thanking you all on behalf of the Techwomen 2013. You are special and we appreciate every effort in making our experience a wholesome one.

Josephine Ndambuki, 2013 Emerging Leader from Kenya is a Senior Transport Support Engineer, Safaricom LTD. Josephine received her degree with first class honors in computer science. She is a fiber optics specialist with five years of experience working with Safaricom, the largest telecommunication company in Kenya. She has a wealth of experience in the implementation and support of terrestrial high capacity backbone transport technologies as well as submarine cable systems. She was the only woman commissioning engineer for TEAMS , the pioneer undersea cable in East Africa. She is a co-founder and director of the League of Young Professionals of Kenya, an organization that brings together young professionals from diverse fields to interact, network and collectively pursue ventures that meet their financial and professional needs while giving back to the community. Josephine is also a trustee of the Safaricom Foundation, a board member of Safaricom Sacco, a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Nairobi North and a co-coordinator of Safaricom Women in Technology.