TechWomen 2020-2021 comes to a close

Starting in September 2020, Emerging Leaders and the community that supports them — Facilitators, Peer Advisors, Impact Coaches, Cultural Mentors and Professional Mentors — embarked on TechWomen’s first-ever virtual program. Seven months later, IIE was proud to transition our 106 participants from Emerging Leaders to fellows as they officially completed the program.

This was the 10th year of TechWomen, a program that began in 2011 when IIE welcomed just 37 Emerging Leaders representing six countries. 10 years later, TechWomen 2020-2021 welcomed 106 Emerging Leaders from 21 countries, who have now officially joined our growing community of fellows and mentors around the globe.

Closing out seven months of learning
The 2020-2021 Emerging Leaders concluded the program with a Virtual Delegation to Washington, D.C. where they had the opportunity to come together as a group, meet pioneering women leaders in public policy and celebrate their hard work. The Virtual Delegation kicked-off with Regional Bureau Briefings, where Emerging Leaders were welcomed by Angela Woods, Program Manager of the Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at ECA as well as Bureau representatives Pen Agnew (MENA), Patricia Ehrnman (SSA), and Kerri Hannan (CSA). After months of developing their action plans, Emerging Leader teams presented their initiatives during the briefings, pitching their projects that address socioeconomic needs in their home countries and communities.

At the Women in Leadership event that followed, Angela Woods was joined by Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath, Deputy Executive Secretary at the Office of the Secretary of State as well as Stacy White, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Professional and Cultural Exchanges. Together, the panelists spoke about their career journeys — including challenges and opportunities faced by women in leadership positions — and the role of mentorship in professional development. “Know that your leadership journey will not be without sacrifice,” Angela reminded Emerging Leaders as she chronicled her own challenges navigating career transitions. During her talk, Stephanie reminded Emerging Leaders that there is no substitute for hard work, and emphasized the pivotal role mentorship has played in her life. Stacy encouraged all Emerging Leaders to bloom where they are planted, and to always remain adaptable and agile in their career journeys.

Emerging Leaders become fellows
Finally, it was time for the Closing Ceremony, when Emerging Leaders officially became TechWomen fellows. In addition to sharing about their own experiences, Emerging Leaders had the opportunity to hear encouragement and inspiration from ECA’s Acting Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Lussenhop, as well as Professional Mentors, Facilitators, Impact Coaches, Peer Advisors and fellows who shared their advice, wisdom and congratulations on such an enormous achievement. “One of the key goals we have with TechWomen is to level the playing field,” Matthew Lussenhop said. “It’s your turn to follow the footsteps of previous generations of ELs. You will revolutionize the STEM industry.” Angela Woods congratulated each Emerging Leader, acknowledging that, in the virtual program, many of them had to balance family duties, home life and work: “We know it has not been easy, so thank you for sticking with it,” she said.

Emerging Leaders Tamara Egamnazarova of Uzbekistan, Anna Gowera of Zimbabwe and Madina Samakbaeva of Kyrgyzstan shared about their experience during the TechWomen program’s various components — Professional Interest Groups, action planning, and professional mentorship. Anna spoke about how action planning taught her about teamwork and left her with a drive to do more for humanity, especially women and girls: “I’m inspired to turn big ideas into action because I realized there’s always a space for creativity, and there’s always room for STEM,” she said. Next, the group heard from some of our TechWomen mentors who shared that their mentorship experience was a bright light during a difficult year. Mentor Anu Ramamurthy spoke about the power of mentorship, sharing that her connection with Madina, her mentee, will extend beyond the TechWomen program: “This has been the highlight of my year, I have a friend for life,” she said.

Emerging Leaders also received a video surprise from the distinguished panel of judges who heard all 21 country teams’ action plans. In the video, impact investor Aarti Chandna, Gigi Wang of UC Berkeley Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Lisa Jones of Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund – SV2 and Meriem Bekka of VMware shared their feedback, positivity and advice for Emerging Leaders as they take the next step in their professional journeys. “Push hard,” said Gigi. “Don’t be scared of that next step. You’ll learn, and you’ll overcome it.”

Before moving on to the official conclusion of the ceremony, 2017 fellow of Jordan Hiba Shabrouq delivered an inspiring keynote to Emerging Leaders “Today is not the end of the story,” Hiba told them. “For years after the program, you will discover the unlimited lessons you’ve learned during this limited time. Keep your sleeves rolled up. Keep your head in the game.”

Cheers to #techwomen20_21

As each Emerging Leader’s certificate of completion came across the screen in the final ceremony, TechWomen director Katie Zee reminded the group of their perseverance, resiliency and bright futures as they move forward in their journeys: “You all came together with dreams at the beginning of this journey. I hope your dreams are now bigger. I hope your resolve is stronger. And I hope you are better equipped than ever to reach new heights in your journeys. You are supported by all of us — this powerful and uplifting TechWomen community — to take that next step. May we all be inspired!”

We hope to see all 106 fellows at our October 2021 capstone event, where mentors and fellows will convene in the San Francisco Bay Area for mentorship, cultural activities and continued work on their action plan projects. And to our #techwomen20_21 fellows: Congratulations! Welcome to our alumnae community of over 800 women strong.

Share this:

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply