Impact Stories from Special Report Policy Area

fellow learns how to improve her cook stoves

Fellow(s): Happy Amos

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2020-2021

Happy Amos is passionate about saving resources and saving lives through providing cleaner, safer cook stoves to women in West Africa. She founded Roshan Renewables, a clean cooking design and manufacturing company, to bring eco-friendly, affordable and hygienic solutions to rural women. Today, Roshan has distributed over 30,000 stoves – called “Happy Stoves” – as well as safe cooking briquettes made from agricultural waste throughout the region. “My number one goal during TechWomen was to work on improving my cook stoves and also work on increasing our market reach and network with people in my field,” said Happy. She chose to apply her professional development funding to visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s D-Lab, a lab that collaborates with leaders around the globe to address global poverty. Happy teamed up with D-Lab’s Biomass Fuel and Cookstoves group, visiting MIT last November and gaining access to their workshop, equipment, Burn Lab and more in order to improve her company’s products. “I had the most amazing experience, ranging from seeing the learning process, having access to the students who worked on improving the cookstoves with me and all the professionals who worked with us,” said Happy. She spent her time at the lab conducting stove testing, strategizing with students on improvements, attending classes and sharing her own experiences as a guest lecturer. By the end of the month, Happy and the D-Lab team had created an improvement plan, made two prototypes and found ways to make the stoves easily replicable at Happy’s factory in Nigeria. “Dan Sweeney from MIT D-Lab was of immense help. The students were amazing, and I met some amazing and smart people,” she said. As the team at D-Lab shared their culture and brought Happy around the area to sightsee, they were also eager to learn about her culture: “I was asked to share the Nigerian culture and food, of which I made them some Nigerian jollof rice and egusi soup,” said Happy.

Report Date...: 1/24/2022

Fellow shares culture and perspective at Arab Model UN

Fellow(s): Hiba Awaysa

Country: Palestinian Territories

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Special Report

As an incoming Emerging Leader, Hiba Awaysa set a goal to learn about the U.S. and the other countries in the TechWomen 2020-2021 cohort. “I wanted to figure out how we as human beings are different but one in nature,” she said. After a virtual program hindered the cultural exchange she was hoping for, Hiba was excited to use her professional development funds to join 200 participants from over 70 countries at the Arab Model United Nations in Dubai, UAE. Hiba is the founder of Sawaed19 , a hub that matches volunteers to non-profits around the world. Through her initiative, Hiba hopes to empower her local community, particularly youth, to create positive change. At the Model UN, attendees, acting as diplomats, were selected to represent their countries on three different committees: the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environment Program and the United Nations Human Rights, where Hiba was placed. The topic of Hiba’s committee, Addressing Human Rights Violations in Palestine, allowed Hiba to shed light on her own experience: “It was an opportunity to share my own story as a Palestinian,” she said. “To discuss the issue from global perspective, not just mine as a Palestinian, and to realize how others think about the Palestinian issue and accept the difference in their point of view. It’s not easy for me, but it’s mandatory to start a real change, I believe.” Through speaking with change makers and leaders with diverse perspectives, Hiba left the event with new ideas, new directions and new possibilities for Sawaed19. Even more, she fulfilled the cultural exchange she was hoping for: “I proudly showed my traditional dress and many other handmade things from my heritage,” Hiba said. “I believe I got the max I can get from this opportunity.”

Report Date...: 1/24/2022

Fellows and mentor learn together at WebSummit

Fellow(s): Afnan Elsherief, Fadwa Amer, Ibtihal Elshami

Country: Libya

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Special Report

The Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal is one of the leading technology conferences in the world, and fellows of Libya Afnan El Sherief, Fadwa Amer and Ibtihal Elshami wanted a front row seat to learn about emerging technologies and network with international technology innovators. Afnan, who attended the summit in the past, was eager to return: “I know how this event is helpful for my professional development,” she said. “It’s not easy to cover the costs of the travel so using TechWomen’s funds was a lifesaver to make this happen.” The fellows had additional TechWomen support while they were in Portugal: after nearly a year of meeting virtually, they finally met their Impact Coach, Jill Finlayson, the director of Expanding Diversity and Gender Equity in Tech Initiative (EDGE) at UC. For three days, the fellows and Jill attended master classes, panels, roundtables and keynotes led by over 700 leaders representing Microsoft, Apple, the ACLU, Black Lives Matter and more. “I had the opportunity to interact with people facing similar challenges to mine, and learn how they were able to overcome them,” said Fadwa Amer, who attended events themed on female founders, diversity and inclusion, inspiring future generations of changemakers and more. “The best and the greatest part of the event was meeting with my Impact Coach, Jill. She is my coach, mentor and a dear friend. She is making a profound impact on my professional development and is the best thing that happened to me through my TechWomen journey.” Afnan, who enjoyed attending talks by the president of Microsoft as well as the president of Portugal, agreed with Fadwa: “Jill was the special part of the experience. A million of thanks will not be enough for what she did,” she said. “We have spent good times together – memories that will last for a lifetime.”

Report Date...: 1/24/2022

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

TechWomen travel with TechGirls to the United States

Fellow(s): Keremet Djoldoshbekova, Mutriba Akhmedova, Sevara Siradjeva, Salma Bekkouche, Reem El-Mograby, Dhelal Shorman, Maya Itani, Safaa Boubia and Faten Hammouda

Country: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan

Cohort: 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement

TechWomen fellows from Central Asia and the MENA region accompanied TechGirls participants on their journey to the U.S. this week, officially kicking off TechGirls 2019. Fellows of Central Asia Dina Shaikhislam (Kazakhstan, 2017), Keremet Djoldoshbekova (Kyrgyzstan, 2015), Mutriba Akhmedova (Tajikistan, 2015) and Sevara Siradjeva (Uzbekistan, 2016) chaperoned the TechGirls from their respective countries, ensuring they arrived in Washington D.C. safely and ready for the exciting program ahead. The next day, MENA fellows Salma Bekkouche (Algeria, 2018), Reem El-Mograby (Egypt, 2011), Dhelal Shorman (Jordan, 2017), Maya Itani (Lebanon, 2017), Safaa Boubia (Morocco, 2018) and Faten Hammouda (Tunisia, 2015) arrived with TechGirls from MENA, joining the other alumnae and TechGirls participants in D.C.
During the week, TechWomen fellows participated in a panel at Trinity Washington University, sharing their experiences and inspiring the TechGirls to pursue STEM fields. “I told them that when I was a software engineering major, there were seven girls and 32 boys in the group,” said Mutriba. “All seven girls graduated, but there were just seven boys left from the 32! Girls are strong by nature. They can do everything they want.” Dhelal spoke about her career transition from biomedical engineering to working at a business incubator with women founders. “I told the girls to never be afraid of change – it’s the only constant in life,” she said.
This year, TechGirls expanded to Central Asia, inviting girls from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to the program. Over the coming weeks, the TechGirls cohort will gain exposure to programming, mobile application development and hands-on instruction that aims to empower and inspire them to pursue STEM fields. At the end of this month, seven additional TechWomen fellows from throughout Central Asia and MENA will travel to D.C. to return home with the TechGirls cohort. Before their departure from the U.S., the fellows will have the opportunity to hear the TechGirls’ project plans and attend a concluding capstone event.

Report Date...: 7/8/19

TechWomen and TechGirls create paths to future partnership

Fellow(s): Hania Gati, Ouafa Benterki, Djamila Douache, Nassima Berrayah, Imene Rahal, Ameni Channoufi, Fatima Zohra Benhamida and Salma Bekkouche

Country: Algeria

Cohort: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018

Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement

Last month, TechWomen and TechGirls came together for the Algeria Alumni Summit, the first event from the Algeria TechWomen-TechGirls Club. Launched in 2018 in seven program countries of MENA, TechWomen-TechGirls Clubs provide a space for career counseling, mentoring, leadership development and more.
The summit’s mission was to strengthen the TechWomen and TechGirls community and facilitate opportunities for future collaboration and mentorship. 2011 fellow Hania Gati, 2012 fellow Ouafa Benterki, 2013 fellows Djamila Douache, Nassima Berrayah and Imene Rahal, 2014 fellow Ameni Channoufi, 2017 fellow Fatima Zohra Benhamida and 2018 fellow Salma Bekkouche were in attendance, leading roundtables on mentorship, entrepreneurship and Algeria’s tech landscape. The fellows also joined a TechWomen-TechGirls panel, sharing their exchange program experiences and exploring ways alumnae can support one another. At the end of the summit, the group set goals for future collaboration, creating roadmaps for future projects, grant proposals and STEM activities.

Report Date...: 7/8/19

Mentors inspire young students to pursue their STEM passions

Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Uzbekistan

Country: Uzbekistan

Cohort: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement

On day five, delegates visited students at three local secondary schools, introducing them to STEM fields and fostering their interest in entrepreneurship, robotics and more through interactive dialogue and exploratory exercises. Throughout the day, students learned about new industries and were challenged to think about how can they turn their passions into sustainable careers.
At School #31, mentor Elaina Tia led students in an exercise called “My Three Alternative Lives,” which prompted girls to think about their current career aspirations, their “plan B” and the careers they would unabashedly pursue if given the chance. Initially pursuing a career in finance, Elaina shared that she chose to follow her passion for design, ultimately becoming a UX designer at LinkedIn. She encouraged the girls to follow their curiosity, reminding them that they have the ability to choose their own path despite any challenges they may face.
The activities ended with a Q&A session, during which one student asked mentors about the biggest risk they had taken in their career. Mentor Maile Smith said that she takes a series of risks every day, insisting that she is heard, respected and valued: “I take a seat at the table even if I’m not offered a seat at the table,” she said.

Report Date...: 3/25/19

Delegates share their professional journeys at STEM Career Day

Fellow(s): TechWomen delegation trip to Uzbekistan

Country: Uzbekistan

Cohort: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth, Special Report, Youth Engagement

On day four, delegates connected with secondary school students for STEM Career Day hosted at Westminster International University in Tashkent and organized by doITwomen, a tech education program for women started by TechWomen fellows in Uzbekistan. The day offered a chance for students to learn about diverse careers in STEM fields, focusing on the future of STEM careers and opportunities that the students, especially girls, may not have previously considered pursuing.
In her afternoon keynote, mentor Rebecca Biswas of Juniper Network’s spoke about her career as an engineer, stressing the importance of empowering women in the field: “We know that girls belong in STEM just as much as boys,” she said. Once the only female engineering student at her university, Rebecca emphasized that today, the STEM ecosystem is becoming more inclusive and mindful of bringing diverse voices to the table.
The panel that followed gave students candid insight into mentors’ career journeys, showing them that finding your passion is not always a linear path. In one exercise, mentor Eileen Brewer asked panelists their career aspirations when they were 18 versus when they were 30, showing students that successful careers require flexibility and exploration. In the breakout sessions that followed, 2015 fellow of Lebanon Ghana Bteich reiterated that career changes should not just be expected, but also embraced. In her group, mentor Patricia Bovan Campbell of Salesforce explained that she has always looked at new jobs as very exciting opportunities: “They give you a chance to reinvent yourself,” she explained.
In many groups, students were concerned about balancing professional and personal aspirations. Addressing her group, mentor Shachi Patel, who owns her own professional coaching business, assured students that they still had time to find their passions, stressing that professional goals often require hard work, long hours and sacrifice: “If you want to be the best at something, it is going to take some time – but it’s possible.”

Report Date...: 3/25/19

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