Impact Stories from Professional Growth Policy Area
Fellow attends speed mentoring event for IWD2020
Fellow(s): Charity Wanjiku
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, 2017 fellow of Kenya Charity Wanjiku attended a speed mentoring event meant to connect and empower women in Kenya. Hosted by the High Commission of Canada in Kenya, the event gathered mentors and mentees in order to share experiences, inspire one another and reaffirm a collective commitment to gender equality in Kenya and beyond.
Charity is the co-founder and COO of Strauss Energy Ltd, a solar energy company that brings innovative energy solutions to off-grid areas in rural Kenya and the greater African continent. “As a mentor, I had the opportunity to chat about the challenges I’ve faced, how I’ve overcome obstacles and shared lessons that I’ve learned along the way,” she said. During the session, she gave advice to the young women on achieving their goals despite obstacles: “Level-up by being intentional in your pursuits,” she told them. “And learn to say no, without having to justify yourself.”
Report Date...: 3/2/20
Fellow featured in article on innovative women in business
Fellow(s): Asna Javed
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
Last month, 2019 fellow Asna Javed was featured in an Entrepreneur article on women who are transforming tech and advocating for underserved populations. Although Asna, a developer advocacy city lead at IBM, was born without arms, she has challenged preconceived notions and thrived in the tech world: “What I love most about my role…is that it grants me a platform to champion technical careers to aspiring female and differently abled engineers,” she says.
Recently, Asna created Be-My-Hands, a mobile app that enables people with disabilities to complete basic business task using IBM’s Watson Speech to Text technology. Asna is also collaborating with the 2019 cohort from Pakistan to implement Bacha-O, their seed grant-winning initiative that protects vulnerable children against abuse.
Report Date...: 3/2/20
Delegation shows young students the possibilities in STEM
Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Rwanda
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement
On day two of the delegation trip, mentors and fellows met with girls from 10 secondary schools throughout Kigali for a for a full day of hands-on workshops meant to spark creativity, exploration and learning. Together, mentors and fellows led small-group sessions in electronics, engineering, digital media, motherboards, pitch training, design thinking, creative brainstorming and more. In the digital media session, groups of girls used Adobe Spark to create videos on themes of their choosing; in the engineering and architecture session, students used the basic principles of bridge engineering to create their own straw bridges using scissors, straws and tape; in the electronic circuits room, groups of students created LED flashers with sound and experimented with micro:bit hardware.
In all-group sessions during the afternoon, mentors led students through interactive activities that demonstrated the principles of design thinking and creative brainstorming. “There’s no bad idea in brainstorming,” said mentor Molly Glauberman of One Medical. “And when you involve more people, your ideas will get even better.” As mentor Tina Shakour led a pitch training, she reminded the students to make eye contact, tell a compelling story, and – mostly importantly — have fun. After, students split into groups to create one-minute pitches on solutions that can bring more resources to schools. Although just a few teams were asked to present, the students were so eager that ultimately every team came on stage and presented with clarity and confidence. 2018 fellow of Kenya Salome Gathoni closed out the day, inspiring everyone in the room to pursue their curiosities, follow their talents and work hard for their goals. “While we are strong, together we are stronger,” she said. “And together our voices will change the world. You see a girl — we see the future.”
Report Date...: 2/24/20
Mentoring Rwanda’s brightest young entrepreneurs
Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Rwanda
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement
Day five was all about innovation, group feedback and learning about some of Rwanda’s emerging businesses. The day kicked-off at both Westervelle Startup Haus as well as RBD Innovation Center, two hubs that serve as incubators and coworking spaces for local entrepreneurs. There, groups of mentors and fellows had a chance to meet entrepreneurs, deliver pitch training and give their feedback and expertise in breakout sessions. At Westervelle, mentor Shadi Nayyer of Twitch opened with a keynote on what investors look for, stressing the importance of finding a rockstar team, telling a good story and being open to pivoting: “You have to be in love with the problem, not the solution — because the solution can change,” she said.
Before the entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to the delegates, mentor Elaina Tia of LinkedIn delivered a pitch training, using real-world examples that demonstrated how to tell a story, use persuasive language and gather feedback. It was then time to hear from the entrepreneurs themselves at a pitch feedback session, where delegates listened to business ideas such as turning waste into recyclable materials as well as an online marketplace that sells Rwandan-made products. After hearing the pitches, mentors and fellows asked challenging questions and gave their advice, working alongside the entrepreneurs to fine-tune both their business plan and pitches. In breakout sessions that followed, small groups discussed building strong teams, going global with a business, building your brand and how to optimize social media and marketing to elevate a new business.
Report Date...: 2/24/20
A day with survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi
Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Rwanda
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement
The delegation had the honor and opportunity on day four to be welcomed warmly by Impinganzima Hostel in Bugesera District, a community for elderly survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. The home, primarily occupied by women, has created a community where residents feel safe, supported and connected.
The 2018 fellows of Rwanda coordinated the visit to Impinganzima, introducing us to the community and sharing how they’ve worked to support residents through their TechWomen seed grant-winning initiative, Healing Together. Since the launch of Healing Together, the fellows have worked alongside the coordinators and psychologists at Impinganzima to bring customized training sessions on group therapy and group counseling. “We created Healing Together to support, activate, advocate and help create a network of counselors around the country who would help women widows and survivors,” said fellow Noella Nibakuze. “TechWomen pushed us to think beyond ourselves and think about our communities.”
Despite a language barrier, mentors and fellows spent a morning with the residents playing games, knitting and dancing. Although the women have faced unimaginable hardship, the delegates were uplifted by the true sense of community and home that Impinganzima provides. “When we reached this home, we found rest and happiness,” one resident said to the group. “We are not isolated anymore.”
Report Date...: 2/24/20
Fellow wins 2020 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award
Fellow(s): Chao Mbogo
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, 2017 fellow Chao Mbogo traveled to Seattle, Washington to receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Meeting.
The award, given in partnership by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Elsevier Foundation, recognizes early-career researchers for their diverse accomplishments in engineering, innovation and technology. It also acknowledges the researchers’ commitment to leading and mentoring young scientists, and to improving lives and livelihoods in their communities. Chao, dean of the School of Science and Technology at Kenya Methodist University, was selected for her computer science research that supports students in resource-constrained environments to learn computer programming using mobile devices. Her work addresses barriers to learning, such as small screens and keypads, that make it difficult for students to use mobile phones for programming in areas where computers are not easily accessible.
“This award is a testament that designing technological tools that support learners is important and timely work, especially for students in developing countries who may not have much access to information or opportunities,” says Chao. “This award has acted as a strong reminder to me to never stop holding the ladder up for others.”
Report Date...: 2/17/20
Fellow named Youth Entrepreneur Influencer by Prime Minister
Fellow(s): Reema Diab
Country: Jordan
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
2019 fellow Reema Diab recently presented at the National Forum for Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators, where she spoke about how TechWomen enhanced her professional experience and expanded her connections. During the Forum, Reema was named a Youth Entrepreneur Influencer by the Jordanian Prime Minister, Omar Razzaz, and was given an award to commemorate her efforts.
Reema was also recently invited by the British Embassy in Amman to be a guest speaker at the Chevening Fellow Dinner for fellows and NYU-Abu Dhabi students returning to Jordan. During her talk, Reema highlighted her work as the CEO of Galaxy, an IT non-profit organization dedicated to driving economic growth by hosting programs for youth and women in artificial intelligence, coding and more. In attendance at the event was the Jordanian Minister of Youth, Dr. Fares Braizat, who then invited Reema to be a consultant and Galaxy to be a partner for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship’s National Youth Strategy.
Report Date...: 2/17/20
Fellow gives seminar on Women and Girls in Science Day
Fellow(s): Farhat Yasmeen
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
Recently, 2019 fellow Farhat Yasmeen gave a seminar entitled “The Role of Women and Girls in Science and Technology,” speaking with students at the Government College University in Lahore on the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event celebrated women and girls who are leading in STEM, and included discussions that addressed gender inequality in STEM fields.
Farhat, a trained environmental scientist, is a professor of chemistry and an advisor to students on their research. In her seminar with the students, Farhat highlighted the historical gender gap within STEM through the stories of successful female scientists, and how the culture at that time affected each woman’s eventual recognition in the field. She also led interactive exercises she learned during the TechWomen program to help the students evaluate their current position on a “ladder of success” that they defined themselves.
Report Date...: 2/17/20
Fellow attends women in science assembly at UN Headquarters
Fellow(s): Ghada Ameen
Country: Egypt, United States
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, 2018 fellow Ghada Ameen traveled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York to attend the 5th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly held by by The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT).
The event was held on the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day that recognizes women and girls in science and advocates for gender equality and opportunity within the field. The event convened government officials, representatives from international organizations and women in science to discuss gender inequality in science and create collaborative solutions and public policy recommendations. This year, the assembly had a particular focus on the role of women in science in creating green and inclusive economies. Ghada, a researcher and engineer in the field of sustainable development, participated to raise awareness about her work and support other women in joining STEM fields.
During the assembly, Ghada had the opportunity to share best practices from her field, working alongside other women researchers to create tangible solutions to promote STEM and advance women in science. When Ghada returns to Egypt, she plans to start a mentorship program in Cairo with a mission to encourage and empower girls to enter STEM.
Report Date...: 2/10/20
Fellow delivers speech at Microsoft Ignite in Dubai
Fellow(s): Hiba Shabrouq
Country: Jordan
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth
After seeing a call for speakers on TechWomen’s Alumnae Facebook group, 2017 fellow Hiba Shabrouq applied and was selected as a featured speaker for Microsoft Ignite The Tour Dubai, held this week at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event series travels to cities around the world, gathering guest speakers, industry experts and technologists for two days of professional development and technical training.
Hiba, a product marketing expert at Orange, gave a talk on public speaking for people in technology fields. During her session, she spoke about the structure of a good speech and provided tips and tricks for before and after a public speaking engagement. She also shared her own public speaking experience during TechWomen, recalling the advice she received from Impact Coach Erin Keeley just before she presented her action plan on TechWomen’s Pitch Day. “She told me to do the power pose,” says Hiba. “I shared it with the audience, and they were fascinated with it!”
Report Date...: 2/10/20
