Gcinithemba Sherilyn Maphosa

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

I hope my most valuable contribution to the TechWomen mentorship will be my commitment to lifting others as I grow and my dedication to sharing experiences that inspire and support fellow women in STEM. I bring a grassroots perspective, strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts simply. My experience in data visualization and developing an intelligent chatbot to guide newcomers into data science enables me to offer unique insights into inclusive tech solutions. I aim to contribute fresh approaches to mentorship, collaboration and empowerment for women pursuing careers in AI, data and technology.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Master advanced NLP techniques for real-world applications
2. Strengthen data-driven decision-making with predictive modeling and insights
3. Develop leadership in tech innovation, mentorship and cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship Characteristic

• Attend company meetings
• Visit an office or attend a site-visit
• Focus on leadership skills building
• Focus on technical skills building
• Gets me involved in day-to-day activities of the mentor and partnering company.

Ideal Company Type

I seek a mentor from a global technology company driving innovation in AI, data science and cloud computing with a strong culture of leadership, collaboration and inclusion. Ideally, my mentor is a senior technical professional with experience in developing and deploying scalable AI and data systems who plays a strategic role in enterprise data strategy and governance. I value a mentor with both deep technical expertise and leadership depth. Someone who can offer strategic guidance, practical knowledge and thought leadership to support my growth as a technical data science leader committed to building intelligent, impactful solutions for communities and organizations.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Diligent
2. Driven
3. Collaborative

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

I hope the mentorship with a U.S.-based mentor will deepen my technical expertise in data science, data strategy, data governance and cloud infrastructure by exposing me to advanced tools, best practices and real-world applications. I look forward to learning how to drive data-driven transformation within organizations and gaining strategic insights into leading cross-functional projects in global tech environments. This experience will strengthen my leadership capacity and support my aspiration of creating inclusive, impactful tech solutions grounded in strong data foundations. Ultimately, I hope it will better equip me to foster collaborations that drive scalable, inclusive impact across Africa's data ecosystems.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

After participating in the TechWomen program, I will leverage my mentorship experience to drive a more inclusive, data-driven future in my community. I plan to lead community initiatives that promote AI literacy, data skills and ethical innovation among women and youth. Through mentorship, workshops and collaborations with local institutions, I aim to bridge the skills gap and open pathways into data careers for underrepresented groups. Using insights from the program, I will enhance and scale my intelligent chatbot project supporting newcomers in data science with a more personalized user experience aligned to individual goals.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

5

Primary Professional Focus

• IT systems and/or data analysis
• Individual contributor leading innovation
• Technical training and/or learning specialist


Education History