TechWomen Impact Coaches
- Guide emerging women leaders as they develop action plans to overcome socioeconomic challenges in their communities;
- Serve as a coach, from the conception of an idea to the pitch of the action plan;
- Build relationships with women across the world;
- Join a dynamic, supportive network of more than 700 women in the TechWomen community; and
- Give back and support women in STEM from across the globe.
What is an Impact Coach?
Impact Coaches are women working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have a strong commitment to empower women globally. Each Impact Coach will help TechWomen participants leverage their newfound skills and networks to develop a plan of action to overcome a socioeconomic challenge in their communities. TechWomen fellows have gone on to launch initiatives to inspire more girls to study STEM in Kenya, for example, and in Jordan, fellows have launched a program to support female graduates and increase the number of women in the STEM workforce. Impact Coaches will support these change agents from the conception of their idea to the pitch of their action plan.
How is the role of an Impact Coach structured?
Two to three Impact Coaches will be assigned to an action plan group. At the application stage, Impact Coaches are able to express interest in working with participants from a specific country or region.
What will an Impact Coach do?
Impact Coaches are responsible for meeting with their action plan group to provide support and coaching as the group develops their idea into an actionable plan. Impact Coaches will strategically advise groups for success in terms of content and design, and they will help connect the dots for groups to meet criteria and understand what makes a successful plan for potential seed grant funding. Tapping into their networks and the TechWomen community, Impact Coaches will connect groups to resources in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, while providing guidance for each step, from application submission and presentation to the pitch event. Ideally, the relationship between the Impact Coach and action plan group will continue beyond the program to see the implementation of the plan once the group returns home.
In what other ways can Impact Coaches engage with TechWomen?
Impact Coaches are strongly encouraged to attend, and when appropriate, support various components of workshops. Impact Coaches are also invited to attend an in-person orientation in August, a networking event in September and several exciting events with Emerging Leaders throughout the fall program, which begins September 23. Tentative event dates are provided for prospective mentors as part of the mentor application.
What is the time commitment?
Serving as an Impact Coach requires considerable time commitment during the fall program and beyond. Though hours may vary week to week, Impact Coaches should expect to spend about 2-3 hours each week with their action plan group during the program. Preparatory activities will include the orientation and initial correspondence with action plan groups.
During the fall program, Impact Coaches should expect to commit time on weeknights and weekends. Successful Impact Coaches will be approachable, engaging and willing to dedicate time to support the action plan groups.
