Mari Railo 🇫🇮🇧🇬’s Post

How Technology is Shaping My Journey with #Kiep-Skies In a world where technology is omnipresent, it's not just about the gadgets and gizmos; it's about the stories they enable, the dreams they fulfill, and the barriers they break. As someone who has traversed through the corridors of academia, dipped my toes in the corporate world, and hailed from a region where educational opportunities for girls are scarce, my journey with technology has been nothing short of transformative. My name is Daki Tullo and I am embarking on an exciting project called Kiep-Skies, fueled by my passion for innovation and my desire to make a difference. My journey into the world of technology wasn't without its challenges. Hailing from a northern region of Kenya where cultural norms often discourage girls from pursuing education, let alone a career in tech, I had to defy conventions and pave my own path. However, with unwavering support from my family and mentors, I persevered, determined to prove that passion knows no gender, and talent knows no boundaries. My time at university was instrumental in shaping my technical acumen, but it was my experience at Safaricom that truly ignited my passion for using technology as a catalyst for change. It was a transformative experience that not only honed my skills but also instilled in me a sense of purpose. Now, with Kiep-Skies, I am on a mission to leverage technology to address pressing issues in my community and beyond. Whether it's providing access to quality education, empowering women and girls through digital literacy programs, or fostering entrepreneurship through innovative solutions, Kiep-Skies is more than just a project; it's a testament to the transformative power of technology. But my journey doesn't end here. As I continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, I am constantly reminded of the boundless opportunities it presents. From artificial intelligence to blockchain, from virtual reality to the Internet of Things, the possibilities are endless. And as a woman in tech from a region where such opportunities are often scarce, I am committed to paving the way for the next generation of innovators, regardless of their background or circumstances. In a world where the digital divide still persists, where gender disparities in STEM fields are all too common, my journey with Kiep-Skies is a testament to the transformative power of technology. It's not just about coding or algorithms; it's about empowerment, inclusivity, and innovation. And as I embark on this journey, I am reminded of the words of Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. So here's to breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and shaping a future where technology knows no bounds. #Iamveryluckytobepartofkiep-skies

👟 Running a half-marathon at Perspektywy Women in Tech summit: Day 2 Reflections ✨ While the second day of most conferences tends to be less hectic, Perspektywy Women in Tech was different. Despite my slower pace, the conference was still vibrant and full of knowledge and activities. 🤝 Mentoring Zone Day 1’s mentoring sessions were incredibly valuable. Seeing the motivation and increased self-confidence of those I mentored was more rewarding than I could have imagined! 💫 🚀 Start-up stage highlights The startup stage was opened by Bianka Siwinska, PhD, a great role model for women wanting to impact technology, science, and leadership. Kinga Blaut, insights on the impact of diversity among friends and colleagues, and how it helps challenge our views and foster innovation in our daily work, were really interesting. She also highlighted challenges like unconscious bias and resistance to change - dangers we often fail to recognize influencing our behaviours and actions. Throughout the day, over 30 startups presented their innovative ideas, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of female founders. It was great to see how they streamlined their presentations for a limited time and left the impression! And I could finally see Magdalena Okrzeja in action! 🔥 💡 Her idea, our future: female world of Ukrainian start-ups The panel, led by Andrew Wrobel with Mariia Alipatova, Iryna Savytska, Diana Berezhna, and Karolina Wawrzyniak, surprised me with the openness and strong opinions of the female founders. Key insights included: - Early childhood programming: Traditional roles affect women's confidence and risk appetite. - Role models and networking: The importance of having role models and building a strong network. - Challenges: Financial funding and geopolitical situation and its impact on their start-ups growth. 🧘 Neurodiversity Zone The conference featured a Neurodiversity Harbour, a calming space where attendees could take a break from the sounds and distractions of the event. This was a fantastic addition that acknowledged the need for mental well-being and different needs. 🌟 Conclusion Participating in this summit felt like running a half-marathon - demanding but ultimately fulfilling. The most rewarding part was witnessing the smiles, motivation, and boosted self-confidence of the people I mentored and connected with. This reaffirmed my belief in the power of mentorship and networking and the impact it can have on our mindset shift. Ewa Kułakowska Aleksandra (Ola) Kunysz Magdalena Kwiatek Aneta Bochenek Ania McLaughlin Kamil Nawirski and IG Global Services Centres super women Joanna Kaim-Kerth Anna Hamarnik Karolina Spyrka Magda Pałac Anita Antosz Agata Anna Kaleta Ewa Zwierzyńska thank you for making these two days even more fulfilling! Maybe, through such experiences, you can find your “ikigai”? #Perspektywy2024 #WomenInTechSummit2024 #TechLifeBalance #leadership #neurodiversity #careerdevelopment #startup

🌟🚀 Introducing Polina Ruvinsky: Trailblazer, Mentor, and Tech Visionary 🚀🌟 Google Developer Groups Burnaby Community, get ready to be inspired! This International Women's Day, we are honoured to spotlight Polina Ruvinsky, a force of nature in the tech world. From leading product engineering teams at giants like The Walt Disney Company, ABC News, ESPN, and Rosetta Stone, to founding vibrant communities for women in tech, Polina's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2022, she embarked on a bold new venture, Hype Her, aiming to transform how women in tech are seen and supported. 🎤 Talk Title: "What does it take to become a leader in tech?" 🔍 Dive Deep into Leadership in Tech with Polina 🔍 Join us as Polina tackles the big questions: What skills are crucial for women aiming for leadership in tech? How can women navigate and excel in male-dominated fields? What obstacles must we overcome to achieve gender parity in tech leadership? Polina's own journey from an Associate Technical Producer to the Director of Software Engineering, without a traditional CS degree, is a testament to her resilience, ingenuity, and leadership. She's here to share the wealth of knowledge gained from her experiences, aiming to empower and accelerate the journey towards gender parity in tech leadership. 🌈 Polina Ruvinsky Unveiled: Fun Facts (Polina-Approved & Verified ✅) 🌈 🎓 Polina's degree is in Political Science. She aspired to work for the U.S. Department of State before pivoting into a tech career. 🐟 Polina once spent a year working on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea, Alaska, showcasing her adventurous spirit and resilience. 🌍 Born in Russia and having traveled to 43 countries across 6 continents, Polina's experiences enrich her perspective and leadership style. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most dynamic leaders in tech. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, Polina's insights and experiences are gold mines for anyone eager to make their mark in tech. Join us in celebrating Polina Ruvinsky's incredible journey and her mission to uplift women in tech. Let's learn, grow, and lead together! 🎟️ Get your early bird tickets at https://lnkd.in/grMR7c5v. Prices go up closer to the event! 🚀 #LeadershipInTech #WomenInTech #InternationalWomensDay #HypeHer #TechVisionary #InspirationalLeaders #GDGBurnaby #WTMIWD #WTMImpactTheFuture 🌟💼👩💻

female founded friday 🔥 a small highlight of female founded start-ups that should be on your radar. first, i'm loving fridays because i get to write this, but let's dive in, shall we? Embodied Labs® is the immersive training platform for companies committed to providing excellent care and service, by utilizing vr for healthcare training. founder Carrie Shaw's mother was diagnosed with early onset alzheimer’s, and as she struggled to explain to caregivers the exact nature of her mother’s visual impairment, she modified a pair of glasses to simulate the impairment.  immediately they understood what her mother was experiencing. from there carrie set to build tools to help bridge the gap between experience and understanding that exists between caretakers and those they serve. using virtual reality, caregivers can quite literally step into the patients shoes, allowing for empathy, better care and treatment for patients. amini technologies is changing the game when it comes to creating the single source of truth for african environmental data that looks to solve country-wide environmental and economic issues. despite africa possessing 65% of the world’s uncultivated fertile land and 30% of its mineral resources, the continent’s global gdp contribution remains at 3%. founder Kate Kallot and team are building an environmental data collection and intelligence utilizing ai and space technologies at scale, to drive systemic change and promote economic inclusivity for farmers and supply chain resilience across africa and beyond. Mia - Mission impact academy is leading the change in skills-based education with a mission to create new economic opportunities for 1 million women by 2030. co-founded by Tarja Stephens and Janna Salokangas, mia seeks to upskill women through a pioneering global ai academy – empowering forward-thinking companies and non-technical women through education in ai and emerging technologies. where we typically see a gap in women in stem fields, mia is looking to stay ahead of the curve and provide opportunities for the projected 85% of jobs that will come into existence by 2030 through the adoption of new technologies. as of january, they had recently completed the first cohort of their ai accelerator program. if any of these piqued your interest, i encourage you to check out the company or founders for more, and give them a follow. for those reading this: i started this series to help amplify the many examples of brilliant, innovative products and solutions that women are bringing to the world for both awareness, and perhaps future funding. 2023 saw 3% of vc funds allocated to women, even though research has shown that women-owned startups deliver twice as much per dollar. all of us, regardless of gender, have the ability to help shape the world we want to see – through awareness, support and funding. i hope by continuing to share the work of others, we continue to find inspiration for more moving forward. happy friday.

Looking back on our WOMEN IN TECH ® Global Summit last month! ➡ What can we learn from the tech ecosystem in France? ➡ Who were the European and Romanian Delegations at the summit ? ➡ Who won the award of the best chapter in Business ? So glad to be in Paris with our Romanian delegation, including Lavinia Neagoe, Elena Enache, Diana Ţarfulea. It was so great to meet again with the community and directors of European chapters : Angela for France, Noha for Germany, Safia for Switzerland, Monika for Macedonia, Joana for Barcelona, Teuta for Kosovo and all the others 💙. I had the honor to moderate a panel discussion about the French tech ecosystem with inspiring and passionare leaders: ✨ Sophie Viger: General Director at 42, leading innovative programming education ✨ Dr. Nacira GUERROUDJI-SALVAN, President of CEFCYS and Head of PSSI Mission at the French Ministry of the Interior, cybersecurity expert with over 20 years of experience ✨ Sophie Iborra: Director of Engagement at La Tribune, influential in gender diversity and equality, host of the podcast "Les Héritières". ✨ Lise BACHMANN: CEO & Founder of WOMACCELERATOR, combining e-learning, mentoring, and personalized action plans to unlock leadership, recognized as one of the Top 100 Digital Personalities of 2024. We discussed the phenomenal growth of the French tech ecosystem over the last decade: - counting today 29 unicorns that span a variety of industries including health tech, e-commerce, fintech, logistics, and gaming, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of the French tech ecosystem. 2 were founded or co-founded by women: the successful Vestiaire Collective and promising Pigment - highlighting key entrepreneurs, angel investors in startups, the creation STATION F in 2017, in Paris, the largest startup campus/incubator, led from the start by an indispensable woman in tech, Roxanne VARZA. A true role model. - underlying major government initiatives like the La French Tech mission led by Clara Chappaz, launched in 2013 to promote and accelerate the growth of French startups internationally. - discussing the increasing place for tech in all traditional and new media that have now tech as a vertical - showcasing also the unique concept of teaching code at École 42, created in 2013 in Paris, which today has a network of more than 50 locations worldwide - and discussing about women's representation in cybersecurity that was barely 9% in 2016, as the field was perceived as male-dominated and unattractive. After 8 years of effort, CEFCYS is seeing progress, offering support programs to promote cybersecurity careers Super proud that the Women in Tech®Romania received the award of the Best Business Chapter! A true recognition of the hard work of fantastic volunteering teams that contributed since the launch 18 months ago. Looking forward to many more achievements and collaborations in the future! #WomenInTech #GlobalSummit Ayumi Moore Aoki Melissa Slaymaker Yuki Aizawa 愛澤友己

Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing To Make That Happen Recently I gave an interview to Authority Magazine about what can we do to have more women IT-founders. https://lnkd.in/euBhmAS2 The main message is this: 1) Improving access to capital: The single most impactful change we can make is to improve access to funding for women-led startups: the current figures are stark — according to our research, less than 1% of all VC funding is awarded to solo women founders in developing markets. Improved capital access can be achieved via initiatives like the Aurora Tech Award but also through increasing the number of dedicated women-focused venture capital funds and legislation that compels larger financial institutions to provide fair and equal access to capital. We have seen firsthand the difference that increased access to capital can make, with last year’s Aurora Tech Award winner Elizabeth Mwangi using the $30,000 cash prize to scale her startup Gwiji to help more women from Nairobi slums access stable job opportunities. 2) Ensuring women have equal access to mentorship and networking opportunities: While funding is the single biggest issue holding back women-founded businesses, a strong founder’s network is also important. The tech industry needs to be more welcoming to women founders, including with conferences and informal networking events and workshops aimed at connecting experienced tech founders with those who are just starting out. 3) Building a pipeline from education to entrepreneurship: In recent years, we have made good strides in encouraging more women to choose an education in STEM, yet we are now confronted with a different problem: women are graduating with STEM degrees, but fewer of these graduates go on to establish companies than men. Malaysia is a notable example of this, where more women than men graduate from STEM courses, but only 5% of them go on to launch startups, compared to 80% of their male peers. This gap sees valuable talent wasted and must be addressed if we are to harness the potential of women in tech. 4) Promoting women role models: Highlighting successful businesswomen can help to inspire others to take the leap to entrepreneurship. At the Aurora Tech Award, we have placed a particular emphasis on promoting entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and geographies to show the different paths to success that are available. 5) Introducing broader policy changes: Introducing policies to support gender equality and diversity in entrepreneurship would also have a significant impact. While likely to be most effective when implemented at government level, companies and industry organizations can, and should, also play a key role in introducing policies that address gender biases, encourage diversity in leadership and incentivize support for women founders.

At the recent Deep Tech Skills Days 2024 in Warsaw, the Girls Go Circular team had the honour of moderating a much-needed panel on “Women in Deep Tech: Empowering Female Tech Talent”. The discussion highlighted practical steps to close the #gendergap and foster #innovation in deep tech, including: ✨ Embedding inclusive narratives early in #education to inspire the next generation of innovators. 🤝 Expanding #mentorship programmes and #networks to narrow the self-efficacy gender gap and improve access to opportunities. 📈 Tailoring support systems like #incubators and #accelerators to meet the unique needs of women-led start-ups. 🪙 Increasing representation of women in venture capital and #investment decision-making. Girls Go Circular continues to champion the role of education to empower girls and young women to see themselves as leaders in technology and sustainability. By creating spaces for diverse voices, we can ensure that innovation works for all of us. We are very happy to support the EIT Deep Tech Talent initiative in its endeavour of training one million talents in deep tech by the end of next year. Congratulations to our colleagues for a very successful event to activate the deep tech ecosystem in Europe! #GirlsGoCircular #DeepTechTalent #GirlsInTech# #Innovation #TechEducation #SkillsDevelopment #EITCommunity

🚀 Shaping the Future: Women Driving Innovation and Change in the Tech Industry 🌟 Innovation knows no bounds, and women are at the forefront of driving transformative change in the tech industry. From groundbreaking startups to established tech giants, women are making their mark as innovators, leaders, and visionaries, shaping the future of technology in profound ways. Here are some inspiring examples of how women are driving innovation and change in the tech industry: Leadership Excellence: Women leaders are breaking barriers and leading tech companies to new heights of success. Their visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and resilience are driving innovation and fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity within organizations. Entrepreneurial Spirit: Female entrepreneurs are launching innovative startups and disrupting traditional industries with their bold ideas and ventures. Their creativity, perseverance, and determination are driving innovation and creating new opportunities in the tech ecosystem. Tech Advocacy and Activism: Women in tech are using their voices to advocate for positive change and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. Through advocacy initiatives, mentorship programs, and community-building efforts, they are driving meaningful change and creating a more inclusive tech industry for all. Cutting-Edge Research: Women researchers and scientists are pushing the boundaries of technology through their groundbreaking research and discoveries. From artificial intelligence to biotechnology, their contributions are driving innovation and shaping the future of tech-driven solutions. STEM Education and Outreach: Women in tech are inspiring the next generation of innovators through their dedication to STEM education and outreach initiatives. By mentoring aspiring technologists, participating in educational programs, and promoting STEM careers, they are empowering future generations to pursue their passions in technology. As we look to the future, let's celebrate and amplify the voices of women who are driving innovation and change in the tech industry. Their contributions are shaping the future of technology and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable digital world. Together, let's continue to champion diversity, foster innovation, and build a brighter future for all in the tech industry. 💡🌐 #WomenInTech #Innovation #TechLeadership #DiversityInTech #FutureOfTech https://lnkd.in/dufEsSrV

What was once just a spark of an idea has blossomed into something truly remarkable—#Chhalaang 2.0, India’s largest women-only Hackathon. Born from a vision to bridge the diversity gap in tech, it has become a beacon of empowerment for women in the industry. With 258+ women coders and 500+ tech enthusiasts converging, it's a testament to the power of collective ambition. From the initial concept to witnessing these women showcase their impeccable tech skills, #Chhalaang 2.0 is a journey of growth, resilience, and endless possibilities.For 14+ hours, these women poured their hearts into coding, while 5 startups shared their challenges, igniting sparks of innovation. Amidst it all, mentors went the extra mile, nurturing talent, and a jury judged not just on skill, but on the sheer determination of the participants. #Chhalaang 2.0 is more than an event; it's a testament to the indomitable spirit of women in tech. Join us in celebrating the journey ahead, filled with innovation, empowerment, and boundless opportunities. Here's to the future of #Chhalaang!  MetaMorph Sanam Rawal Kanchan Panjwani Yashna Ray Vaibhav Parchure Pranisha Dalal Akanksha Mukhija Ami Palan Ayushi Verma Plum Bureau Gameskraft Veera Groww DMI Finance Private Limited Rithika Suresh Saurabh Arora Sneha Panigrahi Mishra Pallavi Mishra Shubhi Tripathi Vishal N Sam Noble Akshay khare Nandeeshwar K Nikhil Jois Nitin Nahata Ajay R. Jeffin Kizhakathil Manali Visaria Adityan Kayalakal Brahma Roop Dixit

Rooting for all the women in tech! 🤘 As a member of the ITL Estonia Women Leaders' Club, I had the pleasure of attending our latest meeting on October 22, which focused on an important yet often hidden topic – the invisible barriers faced by women (and men) in leadership. Our special guests from TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology, Birgy Lorenz and Sirja Sulakatko, led the discussion on concepts like the glass ceiling, sticky floor, escalator, glass cliff, and golden skirt. These terms highlight the barriers that prevent minorities from reaching their full potential in leadership roles, despite their qualifications and expertise. The discussion delved into how societal norms and biases create these barriers, with real-world examples illustrating their impact. It was an eye-opening session, helping participants gain a deeper understanding of the structural challenges people face. At Proud Engineers, we strongly support initiatives like these. Our mission is to emphasize projects that empower young talent in technology and engineering, helping to shape a society where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their background. The topic of this meeting was especially close to our hearts, as Unicorn Squad—an initiative offering technology education to girls aged 8-14—is working to break down these barriers early on. Through hands-on and exciting challenges in technology, robotics, and the sciences, Unicorn Squad aims to ignite a passion for STEM subjects among young girls, encouraging them to see a future for themselves in tech and leadership. We believe that fostering interest in technology at a young age is key to creating a diverse and inclusive future in leadership.