IWD 2024 | Women Tech Makers

Thank you for IWD2024.

There may be no better way to communicate our gratitude than through images. As you browse, take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and reflect on the profound impact of your involvement in this year's International Women's Day event.

See you all at IWD2025!

As individuals, we wield both the power and the responsibility to shape the trajectory of technology and society, and artificial intelligence stands as a pivotal force in this transformation. What awaits us in this future, and what role do we play in shaping it? How do we contribute to its construction?

As women, we possess the capacity to harness our skills, creativity, and passion to affect positive change, addressing the issues that hold significance for ourselves and our communities through the lens of AI. More importantly, we hold the ability to inspire the forthcoming generation of women in technology, who will continue to leave their mark on the future through their unique ideas and innovations after we pass the baton.

For International Women's Day this year, let us unite in embracing the evolution of AI, igniting a wave of transformation that touches the lives of women everywhere. This empowering assembly will showcase influential speakers, foster thought-provoking discussions, and facilitate interactive workshops, providing an opportunity to sharpen your proficiency in artificial intelligence.

It is a chance to connect with kindred spirits, exchange experiences, and become part of a movement that champions equality and female empowerment. Together, let's embark on this journey of change, shaping a future where women stand at the forefront of progress.

AGENDA

For International Women’s Day this year and beyond, we invite you to lend your voice to AI and impact the future.

Join us on April 6, 2024 for a free, inclusive and complimentary event featuring experienced speakers, engaging panelists, and interactive workshops—all designed to help you carve out your path in the realm of artificial intelligence!

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Speakers

Leadership. Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Kourtney Penner

Councillor, City of Calgary Ward 11

Keynote Speaker

Emerging Voices: Women Leading the Path to Tomorrow

Kourtney Penner has roots and chose to live in Ward 11 with her family. As a community-minded leader she believes it is important to support community-building initiatives. With a strong value in relationship building, she knows projects succeed when we choose a mindset of working together, approaching challenges to find balanced, positive outcomes, and by using data to support decision making.

As a mom with school aged children and parents in the city, Kourtney knows neighbourhoods need to balance the needs of residents across the stages of their lives. As a leader in the technology sector, she knows a thriving economy is vital to the city and creating a sustainable future is important to our global position.

As part of Kourtney’s practice with all the organizations she has served – she has brought this mindset to the table and continually asks these questions: How can we positively affect the most amount of people? And what opportunities exist for different stakeholders to come together to create the most desirable outcome which may involve compromise?

Ksenia Soldatova

HR Manager, McCarthy Tettault

Panelist

Empowering Future Generations: Mentoring and Advocacy for Women's Advancement

With over 20 years of Human Resources experience, Ksenia is focused on reshaping HR to foster innovative, inclusive workplaces. Having relocated to Canada in 2009, she understands the challenges of building a career and is passionate about creating inclusive environments.

She has expertise in talent acquisition, employee engagement, diversity initiatives, and organizational change. As a community leader, she uplifts immigrant women, fostering dialogue between businesses and female talent to create thriving workplaces. Her ultimate goal is to empower future generations through mentoring and advocacy for women's advancement.

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Varisha Saleem

Senior Software Developer- Krux Analytics

Panelist

From Passion to Profession: Empowering Women in Diverse STEM Careers

Varisha is a Full stack Dotnet Developer with 11 years of development experience spanning across Fortune 500 companies to Startups.

She was awarded the a Most Valuable Player award by her Department for re-engineering applications and creating an in-house applications monitor tool.
She immigrated to Canada from India in 2018 and has been working as a senior software developer in Calgary for the last 4 years.
She practices being detail oriented and sagacious, which according to her are important qualities to be a good developer.
Varisha enjoys spending time with her family and friends and loves going to restaurants.
She’s also working as the president of an ethnoreligious non-profit organization which aims to work for political advocacy in the longer run along with social work.
She’s a first time mother to a little daughter and is currently on her maternity leave

Her interests revolve around development opportunities for minorities and women.

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Aminat Popoola

President/CEO- Rhay Logistics & Rhay Engineering

Panelist

From Passion to Profession: Empowering Women in Diverse STEM Careers

Aminat is a trained Engineer with almost three decades of experience as a business owner and business development manager. In the last seven years, she has launched two firms with over one hundred staff members in the engineering and logistics business. In 2020, she became the first-ever Delivery Service Partner (2.0) in Canada to one of the foremost global eCommerce giants.

In less than four years, -RHAY Logistics has delivered almost ten (10) million packages to Calgary residents to become one of the organizations with the highest number of packages delivered to Canadian residents to date.

She drives impactful community development through her 'One stitch at a time' foundation and in January 2024, RHAY Logistics received a "Certificate of Recognition" from the Alberta Government for its laudable Safety & Health workplace culture.,

Naz Zarreen Oishie

Software Developer, Siemens

Panelist

From Passion to Profession: Empowering Women in Diverse STEM Careers

Naz is a Software Engineer working on Electronic Design Automation as part of the R&D team at Siemens. Along with a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Saskatchewan, she has research experience in the field of Machine Learning and has published multiple papers. She loves using AI to build things and being a Women Techmaker Ambassador as well as a GDG lead, is keen on sharing her enthusiasm with the tech community.

Kim Matchett

Software Developer/Data Analyst

Panelist

From Passion to Profession: Empowering Women in Diverse STEM Careers

Kim Matchett's journey exemplifies the transformative power of curiosity and resilience. Starting as a corporate card coordinator, her passion for Excel led her to pivot towards software development and data analysis, delving deep into the world of technology.

Attending the 2023 Google Women's Techmakers event in Calgary proved to be a pivotal moment, providing not just learning but also inspiration and a sense of belonging in the tech community.

Driven by her newfound passion, Kim completed multiple courses at the University of Calgary, earned a Google Data Analytics certificate, and immersed herself in a rigorous Software Engineering Bootcamp. Her venture, Second Joke Solutions, is on the brink of launch with promising projects underway, including her capstone project, Salvo Expense Helper, slated for completion by the end of 2024.

Kim attributes her success to the support of other women who shared their stories and provided encouragement along the way. She is deeply passionate about technology and is committed to empowering women in their tech journey, following in the footsteps of those who inspired her.

Sumaiya Saleem

Legal Practitioner, Litigation & Corporate Law

Panelist

Empowering Future Generations: Mentoring and Advocacy for Women's Advancement

Sumaiya Saleem, also known as Su, is a dynamic legal professional who recently cleared her law exams to practice in Canada, having initially started her legal career as a Lawyer in India. Her dedication to her profession led her to Calgary's vibrant legal landscape, where she began as a Paralegal at a prestigious downtown law firm. Currently, Su is undertaking her articles at a renowned law firm in NW Calgary, where she continues to demonstrate excellence in her practice.

Su possesses expertise in litigation and corporate law, with a focus on residential real estate, wills and estates, and personal injury law. Her attention to detail and problem-solving skills position her to make a significant impact in the legal community.

Notably, Su is forward-thinking in the realm of law and technology, exploring the integration of Generative AI tools in law firms to streamline processes and boost efficiency. She sees innovation as a driver for positive change within the legal profession and eagerly anticipates the opportunities it brings.

As Su prepares for her upcoming bar call, she is poised to leave a lasting impression on the legal community with her forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence.

Janine Rogan

CEO & Founder/Pink Tax Movement

Speaker

Inspiring Stories of Women Building Entrepreneurial Empire with Financial Freedom

Janine Rogan, CPA, is a passionate keynote and TEDx speaker. She is the Founder and CEO of The Wealth Building Academy Inc., and an award winning CPA. Her mission is to educate and empower women to confidently and profitably grow their wealth, through financial feminism - financial equality for all.

Janine has been featured internationally by a number of publications and has delivered keynotes to thousands of individuals and companies around the world. She currently sits on the CPA Alberta Education Foundation board, the board of FESA, and the planning committee of the AICPA Global Women’s Leadership Summit. Janine is pursuing her Master’s in Economic Sustainability through the University of Torrens in Australia.

In spring 2023, Rogan released her debut book “The Pink Tax: Dismantling A Financial System Designed To Keep Women Broke” published by Page Two Books. In it, Janine explores the hidden ways that women are held back in our society—from overpriced women’s themed items to the motherhood penalty. It debuted at #1 on Amazon for Feminist Theory books.

Janine is a University of Alberta alumni, born and raised in Edmonton, Canada. She is currently based out of Calgary where she lives with her husband Andrew, son Theodore, and pup Lazer.

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Paulina Sin

Senior Manager, Product

Speaker

Women in Leadership

As a second-generation Canadian, Paulina Sin navigates the intersection of Western society and Chinese customs. From her upbringing, she's cultivated a rich understanding of cultural dynamics and a deep-rooted commitment to community. Her journey into leadership began early, assisting her mother in running Chinese immigrant children's learning programs, where she not only taught English and crafts but also instilled a sense of curiosity and compassion.

Paulina's academic pursuits led her to the University of Calgary, where she sought to broaden her horizons. Eager to gain practical experience, she embarked on her first "big girl" job as an Outbound Sales Specialist at ATB Financial, a role she balanced with her studies. It was here that she discovered her affinity for the financial sector, eventually shifting her major to finance while earning a minor in psychology. Continuing her journey at ATB Financial, Paulina's career trajectory evolved from Personal Banking Specialist to Financial Advisor. Along the way, she found herself naturally assuming leadership roles, driven by a desire to make a tangible impact on those she served.

However, it was her transition into Product Management that truly ignited her passion. Recognizing the potential to affect meaningful change, Paulina embraced the challenges and rewards of leading cross-functional teams in delivering innovative solutions. Her tenure as a Product Manager at ATB Financial has been marked by continuous growth and empowerment. From guiding squads to orchestrating entire roadmaps and launches, Paulina's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organization's retail online/mobile banking offerings.

For Paulina, leadership is more than just a title—it's about fostering an inclusive environment where team members can flourish, learn, and grow together. She believes in creating a culture that encourages experimentation and celebrates both successes and failures, recognizing that true innovation comes from embracing every opportunity to learn and evolve. In her role as a leader, Paulina remains committed to driving positive change, both within her team and the broader organization. With her unwavering dedication and passion for excellence, she continues to redefine what it means to be a leader in today's ever-evolving landscape.

Jen Lussier

Chief Operating Officer

Speaker

Advancing the Role of Women in Tech

Jennifer is a long-time entrepreneur in Calgary. At Platform Calgary as COO, she is responsible for operationalizing the organization's vision to support and amplify the growth of Calgary's tech sector.

Prior to joining Platform Calgary, Jennifer spent 4 years building a tech start-up in the construction industry focused on the under-utilization of heavy equipment. Prior to this, she spent 20+ years in developing and nurturing corporate brands from the ground up through marketing, design and writing through her own advertising agency.

Jennifer’s fun side project is Eff Academy, a forum about failure where entrepreneurs can find commonalities and connect on the challenges they've shared in starting, running, scaling, and sometimes shuttering, their businesses

Temi Jaiyeola

Geologist

Panelist

Empowering Future Generations: Mentoring and Advocacy for Women's Advancement

Temi Jaiyeola is an experienced Geoscience Professional, with an MSC in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Aberdeen and is currently enrolled in an Executive MBA program at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary.

As a Geoscience leader, guiding oil and gas exploration strategies, communicating, and
effectively managing geological operations, performance, and results; she is instrumental in creating value through increased production and reserves growth. Currently pursuing an MBA, she is actively building formal leadership skills with a focus on finance and strategic management.

She is also passionate about future energy trends, specifically carbon capture and storage and designing a path to net zero emissions. She gives back to her community by being available for opportunities to volunteer at Soup Kitchens across Calgary, as well as to her professional community by mentoring less experienced geoscience professionals on technical geoscience topics and successful career navigation practices. Her subject matter expertise is in Exploration & Prospect generation, resource evaluation,
reservoir characterization, oil field development planning, and the management of assets (oil mineral licenses) and geoscience operations.

Temi Oladapo

Medical Doctor

Panelist

From Passion to Profession: Empowering Women in Diverse STEM Careers

Dr Temi Oladapo, M.D, MRCGP, CCFP.

I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria where I lived until I was 16. I then proceeded to Ternopil national medical school in Ukraine where I lived and studied for 6 years. I moved back to Lagos and completed my medical internship as well as my mandatory national service year.

For my national service, I was posted to the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society where I then set up the first clinic with my senior colleagues. This was my first proper introduction and immersion into primary care.

I then moved to the United Kingdom where I completed my residency and worked for a little while, before moving to Calgary in October 2023.

In addition to my general practice, I am very much interested in urgent care, women’s health as well as Dermatology.

I have two amazing little boys and a very supportive husband, and we are lucky to have a lot of family around.

In my spare time, I hide in my closet so my boys can’t find me, then I devour an alarming number of novels, but I also love to cook, and I love to travel!

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Bukola Adedeji

CEO / Entrepreneur

Panelist

Empowering Future Generations: Mentoring and Advocacy for Women's Advancement

TheBraGirl, a pioneering brand in the lingerie industry, is founded on the principle of empowering women by revolutionizing their approach to undergarments. This innovative brand believes firmly in the transformative power of the right lingerie for self-expression and an enhanced lifestyle.

The vision behind TheBraGirl comes from its founder, Bukola Adedeji's extensive background in dressmaking and personal experience, bringing a unique understanding of the importance of breast support in daily life. This insight forms the foundation of the brand, enabling a specialized focus on the needs of women, especially those with larger busts.

Known for its expertise in styling specialty bras, TheBraGirl addresses body confidence and breast support issues with empathy and professionalism, making it a trusted authority in the lingerie sector for women of all ages.

A key aspect of TheBraGirl's mission is its educational initiative, TheBraTalk. This platform addresses the often overlooked topic of adequate breast support, providing comprehensive resources and digital tools to assist women in enhancing their undergarment choices throughout various stages of life.

TheBraGirl's flagship store, embodying the brand's commitment to empowering women, is located on Level 3 of the Core Shopping Centre in downtown Calgary, Canada. This location serves as a testament to the brand's dedication to improving women's lives through expertly curated lingerie.