TechWomen Alumnae Organization Ushers in a New Era for the Global Network of Women Leaders

Guest post by Jill Finlayson and Cecile Thirion, TechWomen Alumnae Mentors

TechWomen Alumnae Organization members at the 2014 Welcome Orientation

Without a doubt, right now is a very special time for TechWomen. We just wrapped up the TechWomen Orientation at Juniper Networks’ Aspiration Dome and welcomed a fourth generation of 78 Emerging Leaders from 16 countries in Africa and the Middle East. They are matched with 160 mentors at Silicon Valley high tech institutions, from nonprofits to start-ups to large companies, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, SolarCity, eBay, Salesforce.com, Code for America…you name it! Check out the complete list of 2014 host companies.

We took another important step at the Welcome Orientation. We formally kicked off the TechWomen Alumnae Organization to orchestrate lasting relationships and impact.

It’s about sustaining, developing, and amplifying a vibrant network of global women professionals.

Think about what you could do with a growing chorus of more than 330 talented mentors from 200 companies in Silicon Valley and with over 230 Emerging Leaders across Africa, the Middle East and in 2015 from another region – Central Asia. Wow! The potential is huge.

Together we can blend our talents and compose a harmonious network. Together, we can make a difference around the world.

Our Alumnae Organization’s mission is connecting TechWomen alumnae across borders, to inspire, grow and celebrate their achievements. As newly elected Council volunteer members, we plan to focus on

•           Growing our community of Alumnae Mentors.

•           Strengthening ongoing support for Emerging Leaders.

•           Fueling the global advancement of Women in Technology.

When we think about inspiring leaders like Nelson Mandela who said, “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living,” we believe it depends on us to think big and achieve great things.

That’s where you come in. How can you help?  Send us your ideas and suggestions for upcoming programs and potential support from your companies to techwomen@iie.org  as we structure our approach and implement our vision.

We hope you feel inspired and ready to play an active role in our newly created Alumnae organization, as it’s just the beginning!

TechWomen Alumnae Organization elected members are Jill Finlayson, Julia Lovin, Ayori Selassie, Patricia Bovan Campbell, Jeannice Fairrer Samani, Arati Nagaraj, Myra Nawabi, Cecile Thirion.