What is TechWomen?
TechWomen empowers, connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East by providing them the access and opportunity needed to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and inspire women and girls in their communities.
Through mentorship and exchange, TechWomen strengthens participants’ professional capacity, increases mutual understanding between key networks of professionals, and expands girls’ interest in STEM careers by exposing them to female role models.
Impact Stories
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Fellow(s): Eileen Brewer with Mentors, Fellows and Partners
Country: Egypt, Palestinian Territories, United States
Region: MENA, US
Project/Action: 000+ for displaced Palestinians
Title: Executive Director
Company: 757 Accelerate
Mentorship Type: Professional
TechWomen Mentor-led effort raises $13,000+ for displaced Palestinians
Mentors and partners took the initiative to collaborate in recent months and generated over $13,000 in financial support for displaced Palestinians, primarily located in Cairo, Egypt, who have been impacted by the conflict in Gaza.
With coordination by U.S. mentor Eileen Brewer, over 40 TechWomen mentors, community members, partners and friends have arranged the raising and transfer of funds to support billing and supply costs for over 400 hospital patients and caregivers in Cairo. Partners in the fundraiser were able to visit several hospitals in Cairo to distribute care packages to patients and families, provide funding for over 200 meals, gift toys to more than 50 child patients, and arrange billing coverage for Palestinians facing severe medical procedures and childbirth costs. They have also been able to provide aid to displaced persons, including TechWomen fellows and their families, inside of Gaza — to help secure emergency provisions such as tents.
Eileen is the Executive Director of 757 Accelerate, a selective, mentor-driven startup acceleration program. She was recently the subject of a USA today feature, “Eileen Brewer, Catalyst in Youth STEM, Shares Insights from Her Global Experiences.”
In addition to Eileen, the known donors to the grassroots effort include mentors Amberle Fant, Angie Chang, Ateka Ali, Beth Steinberg, Caitlin Doyle, Cynthia Leung, Dana Riggs, Diane Manning, Jennine Heller, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Katy Dickinson, Larissa Shapiro, Laura Messerschmitt, Liv Imset, Maryann Hrichak, Samera Edwards, Shagufta Ahmed, Shawne Van Deusen-Jeffries, Shradha Balakrishnan and Teresa Williams.
News of further fundraising efforts continue to pour in from the mentor and partner community, raising the current aid amount far above $13,000. Mentor Jessica Dickinson Goodman recently co-hosted an art-based fundraising event that brought in an estimated $5,000 dollars and counting. She has also worked since November to track the well-being statuses of Gazan fellows and their families. Mentor Shagufta Ahmed shares that while she initially raised $1,500 by hosting a silent auction-style event, she has since continued her efforts. “People were generous and donated a lot. It motivated me and I have since raised $5,200 more.”
Report Date: 4/8/2024
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Fellow(s): Hana Kerkebane
Country: Algeria
Region: MENA
Cohort: 2020-2021
Project/Action: Fellow sponsored by two fellowships for MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
Policy Area(s): Professional Development
Fellow Hana Kerkebane (Algeria, 2020-2021) is currently on track to graduate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Class of 2024 with a Master of Business Administration. She attends the program with support from the university’s Forté Fellowship, which awards partial to full scholarships for diverse candidates who demonstrate exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing women in business. She is also funded, for the second year in a row, by the International Fellowship of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which awards funding to exceptional candidates in their pursuit of academic or community projects.
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With a B.S. in mining and mineral engineering, Hana has eight years of experience in the oil and gas industry with roles ranging from field engineer to software and cloud services business developer. She also has extensive experience as a blogger, podcast host and TV host. This summer she served as a product marketing manager at Microsoft in Seattle, Washington.
“I realized that the skills I used the most were my communication skills and the leadership aspect of how to work effectively in a team environment,” she shares of her experience with Microsoft, where she intends to return following the completion of her MBA to join the OnRamp rotational program in cloud marketing.
Outside of her studies at Faque, Hana is serving as a marketing club mentor, energy club cabinet member and co-president of Muslims in Business.Report Date: 12/04/2023
Updates
TechWomen@10 Announcements from Secretary of State Antony Blinken
TechWomen celebrates ten year of impact and innovation at TechWomen@10 on October 20, 2022. During this event, Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid the framework for the decade to come. TechWomen will be expanding in several ways over the next decade to expand the footprint of the program to new regions, connect deeper with the TechGirls program and connect our mentors and fellows in new ways.
TechWomen@10 Celebration
Join us for a very special event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the TechWomen Program, its impact, and honor the dedicated community of individuals who share in its mission of empowering women and girls in STEM around the world. The event will highlight the contributions of our 1200+ mentor community, partner companies, program success stories, and share plans for the future. We will conclude the celebration by announcing this year’s Techwomen Emerging Leader seed grant winners! Many thanks to Juniper Networks for hosting the reception and celebration at their Aspiration Dome.
TechWomen Fall 2022 Pitch Day @ Waymo
Waymo is proud to host TechWomen’s Pitch Day. TechWomen is an exchange initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that empowers, connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in STEM from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. At Pitch Day, groups of Emerging Leaders pitch their action plans for a chance to receive seed grant funding to jump-start implementation of their impact project.
Painful Rejection Led Me to My Biggest Achievements by Noran Buzgaia…
Guest post by Noran Buzgaia, 2023 Fellow from Libya. Editor’s note: Noran Buzgaia's is a 2023 … [READ MORE...]
TechWomen 2023 Week 3: Deep Mentorship & the Journey to Pitch Day…
The third week of the 5-week TechWomen 2023 program was filled with dynamic and profound mentorship … [READ MORE...]
Third Time’s a Charm by Clara Njeru…
Guest post by Clara Njeru, 2023 Fellow from Kenya. Editor’s note: Clara Njeru is a 2023 Techwomen … [READ MORE...]
How Techwomen is Connecting Professionals from Different Continents of the World by Kanoatkhon…
Guest post by Kanoatkhon Umurzokova, 2023 Fellow from Uzbekistan Editor’s note: Kanoatkhon has … [READ MORE...]
Highlights of Central Asia Women in Tech & Science Week, 25-30 March
Startup Mix - April 11, 2019The Girl Who Programs Artificial Intelligence – TechWomen
She is Nomad - November 14, 2018TechWomen winners on using their skills to help Genocide survivors
The New Times - November 14, 2018Kazakh team wins TechWomen seed grant to address domestic violence
Astana Times - November 7, 2018Podcast: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms Of Discrimination
U.S. Mission Nigeria - March 30, 2018