Impact Stories from Professional Development Policy Area
Fellow(s): Jeannice Fairrer Samani, Ines Nasri, and Ichraf Jarray
Country: Tunisia, United States
Cohort: 2014, 2022
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development
Mentor with fellow collaborators undertakes 14-day journey through Tunisia for Business Boost program
Mentor Jeannice Fairrer Samani, recently visited Tunisia as a special guest of the Business Boost for Tunisia Program, engaging with fellows and entrepreneurs, conducting market discovery interviews, and exploring opportunities for sustainable innovation. With expertise in AI, digital transformation, and workforce development, she brought insights from her experience at Stanford and UC Berkeley to support Tunisia’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Jeannice’s 14-day journey resulted from an invitation from fellow Ines Nasri (Tunisia, 2014), the CEO of WebPower and a Business Mentor for SelectUSA. During this time, Jeannice visited Sousse, Monastir, Tunis and Hergla. She met with founders and innovators across multiple sectors, her engagements highlighting key advancements, such as biomedical innovation and metaverse tourism in Sousse, sustainability-focused textiles in Monastir, and the intersection of heritage and modernity in Hergla. She also explored developments in Tunisia’s automotive and technology sectors, connecting with local entrepreneurs driving change.
A key moment of her visit was speaking at a Hive 12 event, hosted by fellow Ichraf Jarray (Tunisia, 2022). Addressing an audience of founders, Jeannice shared insights from her upcoming book on Transformative Leaders™, focusing on resilient leadership, the FAVCS Model (feasibility, adaptability, viability, cultural Awareness, and sustainability), and strategies for scaling businesses globally while preserving cultural identity.
Jeannice’s visit also marked a milestone for the expansion of sustainable innovation in Tunisia, as she announced four new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to strengthen collaboration and ecosystem development. Reflecting on her experience, she shared: “Together, we’re shaping a new standard of entrepreneurial excellence. Let’s scale dreams into realities!”
Report Date...: 02/03/2025
Fellow(s): Nobubele Shozi
Country: South Africa
Cohort: 2016
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Professional Development
Fellow appointed to South Africa’s National CODATA Committee
Fellow Nobubele Shozi (South Africa, 2016) recently announced her appointment as a member of the South African National Committee for the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) in 2024. In this role, she will contribute to advancing South Africa’s agenda on data stewardship, accessibility, and integration to support scientific and technological progress.
Currently a data stewardship manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Nobubele brings more than twelve years of expertise in cybersecurity, data governance and management.
CODATA, operating under the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, plays a crucial role in promoting research and innovation across various scientific domains, including indigenous knowledge. The South African National CODATA Committee supports initiatives that drive interoperability, data integration, and geospatial knowledge infrastructure, contributing to solutions for global challenges and movement toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Report Date...: 02/03/2025
Fellow(s): Zarina Achilova
Country: Tajikistan
Cohort: 2023
Policy Area(s): Professional Development
Fellow speaks at U.S. Embassy’s Open World Alumni Networking Event
Fellow Zarina Achilova (Tajikistan, 2023), founder and CEO of T@mos, a digital outsourcing call center, recently spoke at the Open World Alumni Networking Event hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan.
In a TED-style talk, Zarina highlighted key figures in technology history, underscoring the pioneering work of Ada Lovelace, considered the first computer programmer, and Grace Hopper, who developed one of the earliest compilers. “Together, we are building a future where technology is open to all,” Zarina shared in a recent post.
Report Date...: 02/03/2025
Fellow(s): Noura Merhabi
Country: Lebanon
Cohort: 2024
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development
Fellow helps Lead EdTech Syndicate Lebanon to New Heights with Autodesk Partnership
Fellow Noura Merhabi (Lebanon, 2024), a board member and the Vice President of International Partnerships at EdTech Syndicate in Lebanon, has been instrumental in the organization’s recent recognition by KnowledgePoint Limited, the entity responsible for International Partnerships at Autodesk. This acknowledgment highlights the Syndicate’s efforts in equipping students, professionals, and educators with digital skills and engineering innovation through Autodesk Tinkercad and Fusion.
One of the key highlights of the Syndicate’s program is the Make:able Challenge, which invites students to apply their creativity in solving real-world problems by making accessible, sustainable, and innovative designs. Autodesk’s tools, especially Tinkercad and Fusion 360, have been pivotal in providing students with practical, hands-on experiences that foster creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, by helping students visualize and prototype their ideas.
Through its programs, EdTech Syndicate Lebanon has engaged over 500 students and professionals in STEAM++ Innovation, empowered learners to transform ideas into real-world solutions, trained participants for Global Robotics Competitions and the Make:able Challenge, and promoted sustainable design and environmental governance with Autodesk tools.
“A huge thank you to the TechWomen exchange program for providing the platform to connect with Bobbie Casey, who leads Autodesk Foundation,” Noura shared in a recent post.
Report Date...: 01/27/2025
Fellow(s): Ines Umuhoza
Country: Rwanda
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development
Fellows speak at GIZ Rwanda Fast Project launch
Fellow Ines Umuhoza (Rwanda, 2022), a Gender Data & Intersectionality Advisor and Chair of the National Staff Representative Committee for GIZ Rwanda, recently participated as a panelist at the launch of the GIZ Rwanda FAST (Feminism in Action for Structural Transformation) Project.
The GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) office for Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union, and other commissioning authorities. During the panel discussion, Ines shared insights on how data and policies can be harnessed to achieve these goals, highlighting the importance of inclusive and intersectional approaches in policy-making.
Ines’s journey with TechWomen began 10 years ago when fellows Rita Mutabazi, Winnie Ngamije, Emma Marie Ndoringoma and Enatha Mukantwari from the first Rwandan TechWomen cohort (2013) started a mentorship program for girls in STEM at her high school. “I was among them,” Ines shared. “Eight years later, I became a TechWomen alumna as well. Today, I got to share the stage with my mentor Rita Mutabazi, not as a mentee but as a fellow tech expert.”
Report Date...: 01/27/2025
Fellow(s): Ayesha Zaman Hammad
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development
Fellow to Lead Coworking Initiative at NASTP
Fellow Ayesha Zaman Hammad (Pakistan, 2022) has been appointed General Manager of Co-Work @NASTP a coworking space initiative at the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), a key national institution advancing science and technology in Pakistan.
In this role, Ayesha will lead the development, operations, and expansion of a coworking ecosystem designed to support startups, SMEs and tech innovators.
With a vision to foster collaboration and drive innovation, she aims to position NASTP as a leading hub for Pakistan’s entrepreneurial and tech communities. Ayesha brings extensive leadership experience to the role, having founded SkillsTodo and Women Leaders of Pakistan, initiatives focused on skills development, job placement and career growth in STEM.
Report Date...: 01/27/2025
Fellow(s): Adetoun Akitoye
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
Fellow Honored Top Ph.D. Thesis Awards for Research on Food Security at University of Lagos, Nigeria Convocation
Fellow Adetoun Akitoye, Ph.D. (Nigeria, 2022) earned the Overall Best Ph.D. Thesis Award and Best Ph.D. Thesis in Science Award this January at the University of Lagos, Nigeria (UNILAG) convocation, where she delivered a valedictorian speech. Recognized for her groundbreaking research in industrial chemistry, Adetoun’s work focuses on reducing post-harvest losses in cassava, a critical crop for food security in Nigeria.
Her award-winning thesis, which she discussed in a recent interview, explores methods to inhibit excess reactive oxygen species production, extending the shelf life of cassava and mitigating food waste.
“This remarkable achievement is, in many ways, a testament to the inspiration I received from TechWomen,” she shared. “The fellowship provided the necessary exposure that empowered me to break barriers, think innovatively and approach challenges differently.”
Beyond academia, Adetoun is committed to mentoring young women in STEM and leading initiatives to create scalable agricultural solutions. Through her foundation, Mademoiselle, she is working to bridge research and real-world applications, collaborating with policymakers, NGOs and private sectors to implement strategies that benefit smallholder farmers and reduce food waste.
Report Date...: 01/20/2025
Mentor(s): Daryl Capanzana
Policy Area(s): Professional Development
Mentor shares multidisciplinary career in tech
Mentor Daryl Capanzana was recently interviewed on the “Where Does Your Journey STEM From?” podcast. In the interview by Carina Minardi, PhD. MPH, Daryl shares insights from her career spanning banking, sustainable energy, and technology.
Currently a product lead at health tech company DexCare, Daryl discusses her transition into healthcare after co-founding TalktoDok, a chat-based health consultation service that received global recognition for advancing healthcare accessibility. With a background in psychology, marketing, and environmental management, Daryl brings a multidisciplinary approach to product development, focusing on simplifying complex systems and improving patient experiences.
Her career has included roles at Tesla and Twitter, where she contributed to innovative solutions in tech and energy before shifting to health tech. Having worked across the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States, she has gained a global perspective on technology’s role in solving real-world challenges.
Report Date...: 01/20/2025
Fellow(s): (Fellows) Fatima-Zahra Benyaaquob and Karima Bahmane, and (mentors) Kathy Giori and Rekha Pai
Country: Morocco, United States
Cohort: 2022, 2023
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Professional Development, Youth Engagement
Fellow leads inaugural Forum of Education 4.0 in Casablanca with alumna and mentor support
Fellow Fatima-Zahra Benyaaquob (Morocco, 2022), founder and director of ed-tech focused La Parenthèse Enchantée school, recently enlisted mentors Kathy Giori and Rekha Pai, and fellow Karima Bahmane (Morocco, 2023), to host the inaugural Forum de l’Éducation STEM (Forum of Education 4.0) on December 7 in Casablanca, Morocco. Organized and led by Fatima, the forum featured workshops and sessions that inspired educators, students, and STEM advocates alike.
Kathy Giori, CEO of TryCyrcle Corp. and global ambassador of Microblocks.fun, spearheaded hands-on workshops on physical computing. Rekha Pai, an investor-in-residence at Capria Ventures, delivered sessions on entrepreneurial skills, emphasizing how technical creativity can translate into real-world impact. Karima, an electrical engineer earning a PhD in AI at Université Ibn Zohr, also spoke at the event and offered essential port.
“What inspires me the most about TechWomen,” Fatima shared in a recent post, “is how this community extends beyond borders to create real, meaningful change—empowering women, shaping young minds, and redefining the future of education.”
“It was an exceptional opportunity to see Morocco’s strong emphasis on STEM education,” Kathy also shared, underscoring the transformative power of collaboration.
Report Date...: 12/30/2024
Fellow(s): Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
Fellow collaborates on green tech research and patent
Fellow Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, PhD (Nigeria, 2017) has collaborated with other researchers to secure two patents for innovations that convert waste plastic into high-grade hydrocarbon products. Supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), BOSKEL Nigeria Ltd., and University of Port Harcourt, where she works as a professor of Ecotoxicology and Hydrobiology, the groundbreaking research addresses global plastic waste challenges by integrating academic expertise with industrial collaboration.
“This is a great collaboration between ‘gown (government-owned institutions) and industry,’” Ijeoma remarked in a recent post. “Join us as we get rid of waste plastics from planet earth.”
Ijeoma recently concluded a two-year tenure as President of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria, an affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment.
Report Date...: 12/30/2024
