Announcing the TechWomen Alumnae Summit
TechWomen was thrilled to bring our powerful community together for the first-ever TechWomen Alumnae Summit, held in Casablanca, Morocco from December 4-6, 2024! First announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in October 2022, the TechWomen Alumnae Summit aimed to strengthen ties and facilitate new connections across our remarkable community of fellows and mentors.
Day 1: Launching the TechWomen Alumnae Summit: A New Era of Innovation
Fellows and mentors from all 22 TechWomen countries gathered for an unforgettable reunion, reconnecting to ignite new ideas and foster lasting collaborations.
The day began with a warm welcome from Director Katie Zee and a powerful keynote by Molly Sanchez-Crowe, Global Leaders Division Chief at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, followed by remarks from U.S. Embassy Rabat’s Public Affairs Officer, Nick Barnett. The enthusiasm was palpable as attendees prepared for three days of thought-provoking workshops, inspiring discussions, and cutting-edge pitches.
This remarkable event united over a decade of TechWomen alumnae to explore new frontiers in STEM, leadership, and social impact. From insightful keynote addresses to the energetic start of the first day, attendees were already feeling the momentum of the summit’s promise.
Day 2: Innovation and Leadership: Empowering TechWomen to Lead the Charge
Day two of the TechWomen Alumnae Summit was nothing short of transformative, as the day’s workshops and discussions spanned topics from entrepreneurship to sustainable practices and AI innovation. In the morning, fellows and mentors participated in dynamic sessions, including Entrepreneurship Journey, Inclusive IT for Disabled Learners, and From Zero to Hero—each focusing on building resilient, empowered communities of women in STEM.
A key highlight was the powerful Women Leaders in STEM & the AI Revolution session, featuring experts in AI, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. The session emphasized the role of women in shaping the future of tech, highlighting the innovative work being done by TechWomen alumnae and mentors in AI and beyond.
The evening saw the pitch competition kick off, where alumnae and mentors presented their groundbreaking project ideas competing for seed grant funding. From innovative solutions in AI and digital finance to healthcare and education, the energy in the room was electric. Judges including Fay Cowper, Samir Ben Makhlouf, and Jennifer McGrafy evaluated the projects, offering feedback and recognizing the immense potential of the next generation of change-makers.
Day 3: Shaping the Future: Empowering Women in STEM to Lead and Innovate
The final day of the TechWomen Alumnae Summit focused on the themes of responsible AI, bridging the gender gap in STEM, and empowering the next generation of leaders. The day kicked off with the session on Responsible AI and AI Regulation in Emerging Economies, led by Wiebke Hutiri from South Africa, followed by a session on Empowering the Next Generation with Olayinka Fagbemiro from Nigeria. Both sessions offered deep dives into the challenges and opportunities of empowering women in tech and ensuring that emerging technologies benefit all communities.
The Innovative Women in STEM Panel, featuring fellows Lamiae Benmakhlouf, Director General of Technopark and Laila Berchane, CEO and Co-Founder of Robots & More, explored the panelists journeys as trailblazing women in tech, offering invaluable insights on the challenges and triumphs of leading in innovation.
The summit wrapped up with the highly anticipated Seed Grant Awards Ceremony. One of the day’s most inspiring moments came when Consul General Marissa Scott delivered a keynote address, and fellows Germaine Ashu, Kyzzhibek Batyrkanova, and Lakeisha Gilcrease reflected on their transformative insights from the Alumnae Summit. The ceremony celebrated the remarkable projects and the ongoing impact of the TechWomen network, culminating in a presentation of seed grants to the winning initiatives.
As the summit concluded, participants left with renewed inspiration, deeper connections, and the confidence to continue driving change in STEM, entrepreneurship, and social impact across the globe.
