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Impact Stories
Fellow(s): 21 TechWomen mentors and fellows organize impact trip to Lebanon to implement international collaboration in STEM
Country: Lebanon, United States
Region: MENA, US
Cohort: 2014, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024
Mentorship Type: Cultural, Impact, Professional
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
TechWomen mentors and fellows organize impact trip to Lebanon to implement international collaboration in STEM
From May 31 to April 8, 2025, TechWomen mentors from Silicon Valley journeyed to Beirut for a powerful week of knowledge exchange, mentorship, and community building led by Lebanese TechWomen fellows who co-organized a series of high-impact events. U.S. mentors Jill Finlayson, Kathy Giori, Rekha Pai, and Terri Khonsari joined Lebanese fellows Aseel Honein (2013), Christelle Bou Harb (2024), Claudette El Hajj (2022), Diala Al Samarani (2022), Ghiwa Haddad (2022), Hala Awkar (2024), Lara Chikhani (2017), Lara El Khoury (2014), Nisrine Bou Ghannam (2024), Noura Al Merhabi (2024), Rola El Hafi (2022), Sabine El Kahi (2014), Sawsan AlJamal (2023), Sawsan Sleiman (2024), Talar Kichian (2023), Zahraa Sweidan (2024) and Zeina Farah (2022) in orchestrating this impactful series of events that brought together a variety of institutions, students, entrepreneurs and local changemakers in an inspiring journey to advance international and local innovation, mentorship and STEM excellence.
Highlights included a high-level AI and Entrepreneurship forum at the American University of Beirut, featuring guests from the U.S. Embassy of Lebanon and speakers from the National Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NCEI). Another standout event was hosted at Lebanese American University (LAU) in partnership with the LAU Innovation Center, where mentors met with computer science students and faculty to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, startups, and global collaboration. Additionally, a panel titled “AI Tools: Accessibility, Ethical Use, and Impact was organized in collaboration with LAU Libraries, Arab Union for Specialized Women, and others. At Beirut Digital District, the event “Connect & Elevate: Lebanese Women” welcomed leaders in STEM from across the country for an evening of community networking and mentorship with the visiting U.S. STEM pioneers. These mentors also met with entrepreneurs at the Chamber of Commerce in Tripoli (Lebanon) and delivered sessions at Lebanese University Roumieh, supported by partners such as IEEE Lebanon Joint Chapter, EdTech Syndicate in Lebanon, and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Mentors also brought their STEM expertise and leadership to youth, delivering inspiration and hands-on physical computing workshops to students at the American High School in Lebanon, girl scouts from the AGBU – AYA Antranik Antelias Scouts, and more.
“Let’s keep bridging global wisdom with local talent,” reflected fellow Zahraa Sweidan on the powerful week of events.
Read More »Report Date: 04/07/2025
Fellow(s): Adetoun Akitoye
Country: Nigeria
Region: SSA
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
Fellow hosts chemistry educators event at UNILAG
Fellow Adetoun Akitoye (Nigeria, 2022), a lecturer at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), recently hosted the Women Chemistry Educators Network event, “Shaping the Future: Teaching and Mentorship for Women Chemistry Educators,” supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The gathering brought together leaders in academia to explore the transformative role of mentorship and continuous learning in the sciences.
Adetoun, who mentors undergraduates and champions innovation and food security research at the university, led the event with a focus on community, growth, and collaboration. During a presentation of her work at the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, she was commended by U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. for her efforts to combat food insecurity in her country.
Report Date: 04/07/2025
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.
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