Impact Stories from Economic Impact Policy Area

Fellow named in Africa’s Top 50 Business Heroes 2024

Fellow(s): Salma Bougarrani (Morocco, 2020-2021)

Country: Morocco

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Salma Bougarrani (Morocco, 2020-2021) has recently been named one of Africa’s Top 50 Business Heroes for 2024. Salma is founder and CEO of Green WATECH, a wastewater management company that provides eco-friendly and affordable soil-based filtration and agricultural repurposing systems for decentralized areas. A leading program of the Jack Ma Foundation, the Africa’s Business Heroes competition spotlights and supports African entrepreneurs creating significant community impact and a more inclusive economy for the future. 2024 Emerging Leader Eya Hammouda has also been named. She is managing director of HK Consulting, which specializes in building information modeling (BIM), bridging engineers and stakeholders construction.

Report Date...: 08/05/2024

Fellow addresses Kazakh British Technical University

Fellow(s): Chinwendu Nweke

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Chinwendu Nweke (Nigeria, 2022) recently delivered a lecture on her journey as a female agricultural entrepreneur at the Kazakh British Technical University (KTBU) in Almaty. She shared her experiences overcoming obstacles faced by women in Nigeria’s agricultural sector—including limited access to resources, land ownership and decision-making processes—to found Bridge Merchant, a successful social enterprise dedicated to connecting smallholder farmers with diverse markets. “During our recent event at KBTU,” an event organizer shared in a recent post, “Chinwendu Nweke enthralled the audience with her remarkable story, unveiling the challenges she faced and the continuous process of learning and unlearning that kept her vision and passion for Bridge Merchant alive.”

Report Date...: 04/22/2024

Fellow moderates panel on human capital development

Fellow(s): Zhanargul Izimova

Country: Kazakhstan

Cohort: 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Professional Development

Fellow Zhanargul Izimova (Kazakhstan, 2018) recently moderated a panel session “Human Capital Development,” for the CDS Cyber and Digital Security Forum, an exhibition of information security technologies and strategies held in Astana, Kazakhstan in April. “The topic is not new, but it is more relevant than ever,” she expressed in a recent post. “Studies show that there is a global crisis of human capital, and the overturn productivity of employees is decreasing every year.” Zhanargul is a digital transformation strategist in financial tech with over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, business development and management.

Report Date...: 04/22/2024

Mentor(s): Eileen Brewer, Amberle Fant, Angie Chang, Ateka Ali, Beth Steinberg, Caitlin Doyle, Cynthia Leung, Dana Riggs, Diane Manning, Jennine Heller, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Katy Dickinson, Larissa Shapiro, Laura Messerschmitt, Liv Imset, Maryann Hrichak, Samera Edwards, Shagufta Ahmed, Shawne Van Deusen-Jeffries, Shradha Balakrishnan, Teresa Williams

Company: 757 Accelerate

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Public Health

TechWomen mentors and partners took the initiative to collaborate in recent months and generate over $13,000 in financial support for displaced Palestinians, primarily located in Cairo, Egypt, who have been impacted by the conflict in Gaza. With coordination by U.S. mentor Eileen Brewer, over 40 TechWomen mentors, community members, partners and friends have arranged the raising and transfer of funds to support billing and supply costs for over 400 hospital patients and caregivers in Cairo. Partners in the fundraiser were able to visit several hospitals in Cairo to distribute care packages, distribute funding for over 200 meals, gift toys to more than 50 child patients, and arrange billing coverage for Palestinians facing severe medical procedures and childbirth costs. They have also been able to provide aid to displaced persons, including TechWomen fellows and their families, inside of Gaza — to help secure emergency provisions such as tents. Eileen is the Executive Director of 757 Accelerate, a selective, mentor-driven startup acceleration program. She was recently the subject of a USA today feature, “Eileen Brewer, Catalyst in Youth STEM, Shares Insights from Her Global Experiences.” The known donors to the grassroots effort include mentors Amberle Fant, Angie Chang, Ateka Ali, Beth Steinberg, Caitlin Doyle, Cynthia Leung, Dana Riggs, Diane Manning, Jennine Heller, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Katy Dickinson, Larissa Shapiro, Laura Messerschmitt, Liv Imset, Maryann Hrichak, Samera Edwards, Shagufta Ahmed, Shawne Van Deusen-Jeffries, Shradha Balakrishnan and Teresa Williams. News of further fundraising efforts continue to pour in from the mentor and partner community, raising the current aid amount far above $13,000. Mentor Jessica Dickinson Goodman recently co-hosted an art-based fundraising event that brought in an estimated $5,000 dollars and counting. She has also worked since November to track the well-being statuses of Gazan fellows and their families. Mentor Shagufta Ahmed shares that she initially raised $1,500 by hosting a silent auction-style event and has continued her efforts. “People were generous and donated a lot. It motivated me and I have since raised $5,200 more.”

Report Date...:

Fellow wins Tech Award for Muslim Women in Business

Fellow(s): Sheikha Dhiyebi

Country: Kenya

Cohort: 2023

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

Fellow Sheikha Dhiyebi (Kenya, 2023) recently won the Muslim Women in Business Award for Women in Technology, in an annual event hosted by the Muslim Media Company on March 8, International Women’s Day. “Gratitude fills my heart for this recognition,” Sheikha shared in a recent post. She is the founder of Web Solutions Kenya, a full-service web design company based in Mombasa that specializes in website design, development and marketing.

Report Date...: 04/08/2024

Fellow interviewed on MTV Lebanon’s “Digital World” show

Fellow(s): Dana Abdel Khalek

Country: Lebanon

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability

Fellow Dana Abdel Khalek (Lebanon, 2022) was recently interviewed on MTV Lebanon’s “Digital World” with Jessy Tannous in an episode entitled “Dana Abdel Khalek: Supporting the Role of Women Technologically.” There she discussed the critical role of women in technology and the initiatives working to support them in Lebanon, including TechWomen, TechGirls, and most recently, her team’s seed grant-winning impact project, TAQA, which is working to provide renewable energy solutions to women-led family-owned businesses impacted by the 2020 Port of Beirut explosion. Throughout the 15-minute segment, Dana shared her Techwomen journey, from the selection process to her experiences in Silicon Valley, including the measurable skills she developed during her mentorship at LinkedIn that proved instrumental in helping her contribute to the successful development of her team’s TAQA project. She also spoke of how program alumnae utilize social media platforms to amplify awareness of these programs and engage “eligible women and rising talents” in these opportunities. “Reflecting on this journey, it’s clear that initiatives supporting women in technology play a pivotal role in bridging the gender gap,” she expressed in a reflection on the interview. “By fostering mentorship, collaboration, and social media outreach, we empower women to excel in STEM and drive positive change in their communities. As I continue this journey of empowerment and advocacy, I’m committed to ensuring that opportunities like TechWomen and TechGirls reach and benefit women in Lebanon and beyond.”

Report Date...: 04/01/2024

Mentor(s): Patricia Flores

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development

Mentor Patricia Flores was recently honored in Negocios Now’s 40 Latinos Under 40 Chicago list for her extensive professional and service record. She is recognized for having launched Guías, a platform connecting customers to lifestyle coaches founded in 2021 which is noted for its emphasis on transparency, customer reviews and data analytics. She has also earned two grants and secured the rank of finalist for the Female Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition powered by TechRise and Chicago Innovation. She also serves on the Chicago Board of Latinas in Tech as Partner Lead, expanding awareness and access to professional development resources for members of the Latina community. Moreover, she is recognized for her service as a TechWomen mentor with the inaugural 2023 Chicago cohort, as well as a delegate on the spring 2024 journey to Cameroon, where she co-led STEM workshops, talks and networking events.

Report Date...: 04/01/2024

wins Zuri Award for youth service

Fellow(s): Asha Panyako

Country: Kenya

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow Asha Panyako (Kenya, 2022) was recently recognized by Zuri Awards for the work of her organization, CodeYetu, which teaches coding skills to children from underserved communities. Since its inception over five years ago, CodeYetu has grown to include over 6 schools spanning 4 countries, with over 200 school children enrolled, and more than 20 volunteers supporting coding classes five days a week. “This recognition is not just for me but for our students who are ever ready to learn, our amazing volunteers, [the] institutions that host us, our biggest supporters, Alphathesis, and everyone who always cheers us on,” Asha, the founder and program leader, shared in a recent post. “I see how much we all push ourselves and I can never be grateful enough.”

Report Date...: 04/01/2024

Fellow launches Beyond Boundaries 1.0 conference in London

Fellow(s): Oluwatobi Otokiti

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

Fellow Oluwatobi Otokiti (Nigeria, 2022), founder of product managers community ProductDive, launched the inaugural Beyond Boundaries 1.0 conference in London, England on March 9th, 2024. With a focus on empowering African immigrants in technology, the conference aimed to enrich the knowledge base of the target community and advance the careers of product managers exploring new frontiers in their field by providing intimate access to U.K. industry leaders, information, resources and opportunities. With support from leading tech companies with a shared mission, Beyond Boundaries targeted professionals ranging from novices to experienced product managers. The event featured panel discussions, networking sessions and workshops, such as the curriculum vitae clinic, all designed to inspire attendees to excel in the tech sector and contribute meaningfully to the global economy. The conference also showcased success stories of African product tech leaders from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya who have overcome barriers to achieve remarkable success, their stories serving to inspire attendees to dream big and aim high, and to their potential to excel and significantly contribute to the U.K. economy as tech innovators and leaders. “This conference is a testament to our ongoing pursuit to equip and help product managers including Africans to succeed in their tech careers,” Oluwatobi shared in a recent post. “And we’ve only just started.”

Report Date...: 3/25/2024

a woman-led nonprofit advancing equity for women and girls in Libya

Fellow(s): Tamadhur Abukhamadah Almahdi, Esra Alamami, Noran Buzgaia

Country: Libya

Cohort: 2022, 2023

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Public Health

Fellow Tamadhur Abukhamadah Almahdi (Libya, 2022) recently founded Women for Women LY, a woman-led nonprofit organization working to advance equity for women and girls in Libya through advocacy, action and connection. Since its establishment in late 2023, Women for Women LY has held a series of in-person and online events focused on bringing women and girls together to share and explore topics such as entrepreneurship, data science, operations management, programming, teaching, career journeys and mental well-being. Tamadhur has leveraged her connections with the TechWomen alumnae community in growing Women for Women LY, featuring fellows Ibtihal Elshami (Libya, 2020-2021) and Esra Alamami (Libya, 2022) in her International Day of Women and Girls in Science panel discussion, as well as Noran Buzgaia (Libya, 2023) as a guest speaker in her International Women’s Day event. “I decided to start Women for Women LY because I’m a firm believer in the power of community, mentorship and connection,” Tamadhur shared in a recent post. “The possibilities are endless; the future we dream of could become our reality, our hard-earned lessons could serve as a guiding compass for the younger generation of women and girls, and what we can bring to our community and the world is a lot more significant than our individual contributions.”

Report Date...: 3/11/2024

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