Impact Stories from Professional Growth Policy Area
Fellow(s): Gisele Beatrice Sonfack
Country: Cameroon
Cohort: 2016
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
2016 fellow Gisele Beatrice Sonfack was recently named a recipient of the 2021 Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Fellowship, a program that supports women from developing countries to pursue advanced graduate degrees in STEM fields at leading universities abroad. Gisele is a researcher, assistant professor and founder of WENTECH, an initiative that empowers young girls ages 13 to 18 with STEM skills through workshops, conferences and events.
Gisele has begun two years of postdoctoral research at France’s Université d’Orléans, studying at its engineering facility, Polytech Orléans. There, she will work on developing an intelligent electricity grid that can identify the consumer use on an electrical network in order to provide optimal management to both energy suppliers and consumers. Gisele reflected on her accomplishment in a recent post, saying, “This is an opportunity to tell all those who follow me that anything is possible for those who have the will and the commitment. Believe in ourselves.”
Report Date...: 4/26/21
Mentor(s): Daniela Ushizima
Company: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Mentor Type: Professional
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
TechWomen Professional Mentor Daniela Ushizima was recently one of 25 female scientists recognized by 3M, honored as a top 25 Women in Science in Latin America. Dani is a staff scientist at TechWomen host company Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working in their Computational Research Division.
The first edition of the 3M initiative recognizes science leaders who are making a significant global impact through their innovative work. Dani, who represents Brazil, was selected out of 1,000 applicants for her work creating and developing efficient methods for cell analysis in detecting cervical cancer. Dani has worked alongside an interdisciplinary group of colleagues to create new tools for analyzing cervical cells using computer vision methods.
The 25 winners and their projects will be amplified on 3M’s platforms, and will gain access to coaching sessions, guest blog posts and other activities.
Report Date...: 4/26/21
2020-2021 fellow shares her mentorship experience in blog post
Fellow(s): Anna Gowera
Country: Zimbabwe
Cohort: 2020-2021
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
This week, 2020-2021 fellow Anna Gowera authored a guest post on the TechWomen blog, sharing her mentorship experience and the lessons she will be taking with her on her professional journey.
Anna, an environmental, health and safety practitioner, was paired with Professional Mentor Laura Cutrona of Tesla.
In her post, Anna spoke about the ambitious goals she set with Laura in project management, networking, people management, curriculum development and self-discovery, and how, together, they covered all five themes. “By being connected to amazing people in Laura’s fold, I effectively experienced a mind shift from the notion that knowledge must be kept as cards close to one’s chest, to the impact and value of networking. I will be, and indeed have started, actively seeking ways to make connections for people, for their own progress’ sake,” wrote Anna. Anna concluded, “I heard somewhere that, ‘A mentor teaches how to think, not what to think.’ My mentorship experience with Laura is one I’ll cherish, and frequently refer to when I become a mentor too.”
Report Date...: 4/19/21
Fellow recognized for bringing free courses to Kyrgyz students
Fellow(s): Gulzire Minbaeva
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
After visiting Khan Academy HQ during TechWomen 2018, fellow Gulzire Minbaeva maintained her connection with the academy’s internal communications officer, becoming an official language advocate for the academy when she returned home to Kyrgyzstan. Since then, Gulzire and her team of project managers, proofreaders, methodologists and over 200 volunteers have worked to translate Khan Academy courses, empowering students to reach their full potential by providing them with effective learning opportunities.
Gulzire, now the official representative of Khan Academy in Kyrgyzstan, was featured in an article this month from Limon.Kg, where she was interviewed about her work as an education advocate. “There is an acute shortage of resources in the Kyrgyz language in our country,” she said. “This became especially noticeable during the pandemic, when everyone switched to online learning.” Gulzire and her team have worked to translate 250 video courses to Kyrgyz, available for free to students throughout Kyrgyzstan. By September, she hopes to have published 2,000. “I want to revolutionize the education system of Kyrgyzstan,” she said.
Report Date...: 4/19/21
TechWomen concludes and Emerging Leaders become fellows
Fellow(s): 2020-2021 TechWomen Fellows
Country: Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United States, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe
Cohort: 2020-2021
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
This week, 106 Emerging Leaders offically became fellows, closing out the 2020-2021 TechWomen program in an event that convened State Department representatives, mentors, fellows and Emerging leaders to celebrate the conclusion of TechWomen’s first-ever virtual program.
In addition to sharing their own experiences, Emerging Leaders had the opportunity to hear encouragement and inspiration from Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 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. TechWomen director Katie Zee addressed the new fellows, saying “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.”
Report Date...: 4/12/21
Fellow and mentor collaborate to support Lebanon’s students
Fellow(s): Sabine Kai and Rebecca Biswas (mentor)
Country: Lebanon, United States
Cohort: 2014
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
Since TechWomen 2014, fellow Sabine Kai and her Professional Mentor Rebecca Biswas have kept in close touch, regularly talking on the phone, sharing updates and finding new opportunities for collaboration. In 2019, with the sponsorship of her company Juniper Networks, Rebecca facilitated the donation of 18 laptops to a local NGO that Sabine was supporting through Kids Genius, her organization that spreads maker culture to young students.
After the 2020 Beirut explosion, many of the schools, NGO’s and students in Sabine’s Kids Genius network were left without computers, internet connections and spaces to continue their learning. Shortly after the blast, Sabine decided to offer one of her locations, The Makers Hub, to public school teachers whose schools were damaged by the blast, supplying free space and free internet to those who had lost theirs at home. Sabine then contacted Rebecca and Juniper Networks, who signed on to donate 35 laptops to public school students who could not afford one. Sabine also lent some of the laptops to graduates of her Young Makers at American Corners program, helping them continue their STEM education. One laptop was loaned to a young girl who, after joining Sabine’s classes, developed a passion for computer science. “I offered her a laptop from Juniper for two years, on the condition that she does freelance jobs in coding and part-time work to save for a laptop for herself,” said Sabine.
Report Date...: 4/12/21
In panel fellow shares expertise with Black women in business
Fellow(s): Sylvia Mukasa
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2014
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
This week, 2014 fellow Sylvia Mukasa joined a roundtable of Black women entrepreneurs to share her entrepreneurship journey and speak about how to best support Black women in business. The panel was part of the Diversity Reboot 2021: Elevating Black Women summit sponsored by Power to Fly, an organization that contributes to equality by connecting underrepresented and diverse talent to companies and roles.
In addition to serving as the CEO of GlobalX Investments and GlobalX Innovation Labs, Sylvia writes and speaks about advancing gender equality, ethical leadership and the tech industry’s role in creating racial inequality. In the panel, moderated by Power To Fly’s senior manager of global DEI strategy, the women spoke about why and how they began their businesses and what companies can do to support Black employees. At the conclusion of the event, Sylvia was asked what her superpower is: “I like to do the difficult things,” she said. “Being thrown in the deep end never scares me. Fear doesn’t come fast for me. I think I can do almost anything.”
Report Date...: 4/12/21
TechWomen announces virtual delegations
Fellow(s): TechWomen announces virtual delegations
Country: Cameroon, Palestinian Territories
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
Each year the TechWomen program has the opportunity to continue knowledge-sharing and deepen exchange through delegation trips, traveling to two TechWomen program countries to strengthen an international network of women in STEM fields, inspire women and girls and create exchange between the United States and TechWomen program countries.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the TechWomen community has shown that connection, professional development and mentorship can thrive in a virtual setting. IIE is excited to facilitate additional learning and exchange through its first-ever virtual delegations to the Palestinian Territories and Cameroon, two regions IIE has not had the opportunity to visit. In May, a small group of TechWomen mentors will participate in high-impact fellow-led events in the Palestinian Territories including a STEM learning event and a workshop with women entrepreneurs. In June, mentors will join Cameroonian fellows in their interactive and engaging events centered on robotics with young students and small group career-sharing sessions with university students.
Report Date...: 4/5/21
In keynote fellow speaks about advancing women in tech
Fellow(s): Houda Chihi
Country: Tunisia
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
This week, 2019 fellow Houda Chihi was invited as a keynote speaker for an event on women in technology, presenting on gender equality, her career in engineering and the importance of mentorship. The virtual event was hosted by BINUS University in Indonesia in partnership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the world’s largest technical professional organization.
Houda is a chief engineer at Tunisie Telecom, Tunisia’s leading telecom operator. In her talk to PhD students at the university, Houda spoke about the challenges she has faced in a male-dominated industry as well as her mission to inspire women to believe in their potential, seek out mentorship and contribute to closing the gender gap in technology fields. Houda encouraged the students to challenge themselves when seeking a mentor who can help advance their careers: “Pick a mentor who will drive you to be successful,” she said. Houda also presented on professional development opportunities for women in STEM, including the TechWomen program. She shared about her professional mentorship at Qualcomm, speaking about its importance in setting her up for future career success. “You can overcome your obstacles through education, participation in training and networking,” Houda reminded the group. “When you take risks, amazing things happen.”
Report Date...: 4/5/21
Fellow selected for African Academy of Sciences cohort
Fellow(s): Petra Nnamani
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
2017 fellow Petra Nnamani was recently named one of 40 top researchers by African Academy of Sciences, a non-profit that brings science innovation to the African continent through fellowships, strategic policy and research.
Each year, the AAS selects a group of promising researchers for its Affiliates Membership Programme cohort, a program that mentors and develops the continent’s leading researchers. Petra, who was named to the Medical and Health Sciences category of the AAS list, is a professor at the University of Nigeria Nsukka’s Department of Pharmaceutics. Recently, she traveled to Germany on a Georg Foster Research Award to continue her research investigating the anti-ulcer property of a tropical plant in Nigeria. Through the AAS cohort, Petra will gain access to career development, networking opportunities and mentorship through 2025.
Report Date...: 4/5/21
