Impact Stories from Economic Impact Policy Area
In USG Alumni Talk fellow discusses STEM education for girls
Fellow(s): Elena Selezneva
Country: Uzbekistan
Cohort: 2016
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
Last week, 2016 fellow Elena Selezneva was invited by American Spaces in Uzbekistan Tashkent to discuss STEM programs for girls and her TechWomen experience. The conversation was part of the American Space USG Alumni Talks series that spotlights alumnae from exchange programs, inviting them to share their expertise and exchange program experience.
Elena and 2016 fellow Saida Yusupova are the founders of Tech4Impact, an initiative that nurtures IT, innovation, green tech and women’s entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Their recent project, Accelerating Women’s Climate Change Tech Startups in Uzbekistan, trains and supports women in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan, helping them establish businesses and initiatives that address the social and economic effects of climate change. Elena also brought the Technovation Challenge to Uzbekistan in 2016, and currently serves as their regional ambassador. Elena began her talk with an overview of TechWomen, emphasizing that the program not only improved her skills but also led to long-lasting friendships and professional collaborations that empower women and girls in STEM. After sharing data on the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM in Uzbekistan, Elena amplified programs working to close the gap, including Tech4Impact’s UNISAT nanosatellite program that will train 150 girls to design, program, assemble and launch nanosatellites. “You may hear that STEM is not for girls, but it’s not true. There are many brilliant women and girls working in ICT, in IT, in engineering and in science,” she said.
Report Date...: 11/1/21
Fellow named Francophone Representative for AfriLabs board
Fellow(s): Crescence Elodie
Country: Cameroon
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
This week it was announced that 2018 fellow Crescence Elodie was elected as a board member for AfriLabs, and will serve as their Francophone reprensentative for the next two years. With over 300 centers across 50 African Countries, AfriLabs has a mission to support innovation and entrepreneurship through policy advocacy, capacity building and more.
Crescence is the founder of EN Group, a platform that focuses on digital and community development through technology, as well as the founder of WETECH, Cameroon’s first women-focused innovation center that supports and trains women with tech and entrepreneurship skills. Over the next two years, Crescence will be responsible for engaging AfriLabs’ French-speaking tech community, amplifying the French-speaking tech ecosystem and strengthing the capacity of innovation centers, accelerators, hack labs and more in French-speaking areas. “I will be in charge of bringing the French-speaking community to the top, defending its interests and attract opportunities,” said Crescence. “It’s an honor and a big responsibility.”
Report Date...: 11/1/21
Fellow’s company selected by WeRaise to close funding gap
Fellow(s): Ayesha Mumtaz Khan
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
Two years ago, 2019 fellow Ayesha Mumtaz Khan co-founded Hop Orbits, an e-commerce platform that aims to democratize access to technology, create jobs and contribute to remote business opportunities. Hop Orbits debuted their Hop Orbits Marketplace in April 2021, successfully bringing in 3,000 orders in its first month. However, women founders in Pakistan – like in many parts of the globe – face challenges in securing capital from investors, only raising 3% of the startup ecosystem’s total funding over the last five years. Ayesha applied for WeRaise, a World Bank Group program that addresses the funding barriers that women-led startups in Pakistan face, and was recently selected for their competitive training program. Implemented by startup accelerator Invest2Innovate, the two-year initiative aims to support and train women-led Pakistani companies that are actively seeking seed investment.
During the program, Ayesha and her team will receive investor-readiness training, hands-on guidance from seasoned coaches, legal services and access to a network of potential investors. “I’ve learned to think from perspective of the investor. Understanding the investor’s perspective is really important for founders especially if s/he wants to raise funding and collaborate with investors,” Ayesha said. “We have high hopes for our platform.” To continue her career growth, Ayesha also began a post-graduate project management program at John Moores University with support from their International Achievement Award scholarship.
Report Date...: 10/25/21
Mentor(s): Mercedes Soria
Company: Knightscope
Mentor Type: Impact
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
Last week, TechWomen mentor Mercedes Soria was named one of Robohub’s top 50 women in robotics to know, highlighted for her achievements in the field. The list, now in its ninth year, is published on Ada Lovelace Day to amplify women in the field of robotics around the globe and to inspire women and girls in STEM. “We publish this list because the lack of visibility of women in robotics leads to the unconscious perception that women aren’t making newsworthy contributions,” the article says.
Mercedes is the executive vice president of software engineering and chief intelligence officer at Knightscope, a company that designs and builds autonomous security robots. She is also a 2017 Grace Hopper Leadership ABIE Award winner, recognized for being a leader for women in technology. In addition to serving as a TechWomen Impact Coach, Mercedes is a member of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ U.S. Speaker Program and a regular technology contributor to Forbes publications.
Report Date...: 10/18/21
Fellows share expertise at Women in Tech Week
Fellow(s): Nomso Kana, Sylvia Mukasa, Sophie Ngassa
Country: Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa
Cohort: 2013, 2014
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
2013 fellow of South Africa Nomso Kana, 2014 fellow of Cameroon Sophie Ngassa and 2014 fellow of Kenya Sylvia Mukasa were featured speakers at Women in Tech Week, a series of events bringing together women leaders on the African continent. The week was hosted by Women in Tech Africa, an initiative that supports African women in 30 countries by amplifying their work, creating mentorship opportunities and investing in the next generation of women leaders.
Sylvia, the Kenya chapter lead for Women in Tech Africa, is the CEO of GlobalX Investments Ltd and GlobalX Innovation Labs. She was joined by Nomso, a green tech entrepreneur and governor for the Nuclear Energy Foundation, in a conversation themed on Artificial Intelligence and bringing more women into the field. Together the panel discussed how AI – which will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global GDP by 2030 – can be more inclusive of women leaders, researchers and innovators. Sylvia had an opportunity to speak about GlobalX’s Inclusive AI initiative, her program that encourages more women to enter the field of AI.
Sophie, a digital rights advocate and World Pulse Ambassador, was a featured panelist in a conversation on women influencers in technology. In her session, Sophie and other technology leaders spoke about the rise of women leaders in technology, and how women can contribute to measurable and meaningful change in their fields.
Report Date...: 10/11/21
Fellow speaks about using technology for impact
Fellow(s): Reema Diab
Country: Jordan
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
2019 fellow Reema Diab was a featured speaker this week at an event hosted by the Rotary Club of Amman Citadel. With over 1.2 million members globally, Rotary Clubs work to promote peace, grow local economies and support education. In its efforts to spotlight local leaders making an impact in economic development, The Rotary Club of Amman invited Reema to speak about Galaxy Organisation, the initiative she founded that empowers women and youth with STEM skills. Recently, Galaxy worked with 70 women at a local refugee camp for an Artificial Intelligence Training Project, training the women to make their own products using innovative tools.
During her talk, Reema spoke about the importance of harnessing the power of AI, IoT and block chains to not just improve business, but also positively impact local communities. She argued that everyone deserves equal access to technology, sharing Galaxy’s mission to bridge the gap between technology and underserved communities to create jobs and provide a better future to women and youth.
Report Date...: 10/11/21
At career fair fellow facilitates jobs and mentorship
Fellow(s): Ijeoma Ezika
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
This month, 2018 fellow Ijeoma Ezika organized the 2021 Engineering Career Fair, a three-day event that provided workshops, hands-on training and networking opportunities for recent engineering graduates in Nigeria. The fair was organized by Clintonel Innovation Centre and the faculty of engineering at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Ijeoma, who has a PhD in electirical and electronics engineering, is a lecturer at the university as well as a fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering Safety Champions in Engineering Education program. The Royal Academy of Engineering provided funding for the event.
The career fair aimed to bridge the skills gap between the Nigerian education system and the engineering industry, connecting students to industry-relevant skills, emerging technologies and mentorship opportunities within their fields. After Ijeoma opened day one, students attended a workshop on machine learning, received hands-on training in 3D printing and learned from a panel of entrepreneurs about starting an engineering business from scratch. On days two and three, students had an opportunity to work with industry experts on their CV and job interviewing skills, as well as learn about laser cutting, product design and virtual reality. “I truly enjoyed the event, and we’ve gotten lots of positive feedback,” said Ijeoma. “There is one-to-one mentor matching happening already.”
Report Date...: 10/4/21
Fellow collaborates with UNICEF to donate computer lab
Fellow(s): Lindiwe Matlali
Country: South Africa
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This month, 2017 fellow Lindiwe Matlali collaborated with UNICEF and South Africa’s Department of Basic Education to donate a full ICT Lab to Takalani School for Learners with Special Education Needs in Soweto. The school supports nearly 300 students, with nearly half of them living as residents at the school’s boarding facilities.
Lindiwe is the founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks (ATG), Africa’s largest computer science academy dedicated to teaching underserved communities within South Africa and beyond. In addition to their programs, students throughout the continent have free access to ATG’s popular YouTube channel, which recently celebrated over 900,000 views and offers lessons in science, coding and more.
In addition to donating the computer lab, ATG, UNICEF and the Department of Basic Eduction recently developed coding and robotics books for young children that were translated into the 11 official languages of South Africa. South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education Angelina Angie Matsie Motshekga attended the launch of the lab, sharing remarks and unveiling the books alongside the deputy representative of UNICEF South Africa. The books will be available to the Takalani students as well as other students throughout the country, ensuring that no child is left behind in the fourth industrual revolution. “We had to respond and make a difference where it mattered the most,” said Lindiwe.
Report Date...: 9/27/21
Team Pakistan invites mentor to kick-off webinar series
Fellow(s): Aliya Janjua, Mifrah Ali, Nida Farooqi, Ayesha Iftikhar, Kiran Jamil, Amna Javed and Fizza Rahman
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2020-2021
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
This week, the 2020-2021 fellows of Pakistan invited TechWomen mentor Aliya Janjua to lead a webinar for Rehnumaa, their tele-mentoring platform for women in Pakistan who are struggling to enter or re-join the workforce. Rehnumaa is the social impact project from Mifrah Ali, Nida Farooqi, Ayesha Iftikhar, Kiran Jamil, Amna Javed and Fizza Rahman that they created together during the action planning process of TechWomen. The platform allows users to network, seek mentorship and learn new skills via one-on-one meetings, group sessions and STEM-specific groups.
Aliya, Nida’s Professional Mentor and the director of client services at SS&C Advent, kicked-off Rehnumaa Sessions, a series of webinars where women can hear from international women leaders and learn about their personal and professional journeys. In her webinar, “Playbook for Success: How to Become Your Own Superhero,” Aliya shared four pieces of advice with the participants: believe in yourself, know yourself, build your tribe and keep learning. “Confidence is something you practice over time,” she reminded the audience. “It’s a lifelong journey.”
Report Date...: 9/27/21
At BeMore Bootcamp fellow empowers girls in green tech
Fellow(s): Damilola Asaleye
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2020-2021
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
2020-2021 fellow Damilola Asaleye trained and mentored nearly 400 girls throughout three states in Nigeria, teaching them about renewable energy, energy management and how to become a future technology leader.
Damilola is the co-founder and COO of Ashdam Solar Company Limited, a renewable energy company that brings alternative energy solutions to Nigeria. She also founded Girls and Women Technological Empowerment Organisation (GWTEO), a non-profit that empowers girls and women to be technology leaders in ICT and green technology. This month, Ashdam Solar was invited to be the technical partner on renewable energy and climate change mitigation training for the BeMore Summer Bootcamp for Girls in Naija, a summer training initiative from the First Lady of Ondo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. The week-long program trained girls in ICT, green technology, sexual health, self-defense and confidence-building skills.
During the bootcamp, Damilola and her team led 380 girls in a training on solar technology and the basics of solar installation, followed by a hands-on project where the girls connected solar cells to make a panel and generate electricity. “We were there for impact,” said Damilola. “The girls were saying ‘We are super girls, we can be what we want to be, we can BE MORE.’”
Report Date...: 9/20/21