Event will promote tech careers for women
Evolve IP group techa Ware will host Oct. 17 session
WAYNE >> Careers for women in technology are not limited to just software developer or engineer positions. That is the message of techaWare, the Women’s Technology Career Awareness group at cloud services company Evolve IP.
What started as an informal networking group was formalized at Evolve IP about two years ago and branded as techaWare, to raise awareness, educate and foster growth for women in tech industries.
Through events, social media, volunteer and philanthropic activities, techaWare is letting professional women from all careers know that there is a place for them in the tech world.
The group’s next event — Women, Wine and Tech — will be held Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Evolve IP, 989 Old Eagle School
“We want women to know that tech drives many non-tech positions and they don’t have to be a programmer or engineer to work and advance in a tech company. There are many positions that are now driven by tech and we want to support programs and resources to advance women in technology.” — Lindsey Elberti, director of organizational development at Evolve IP and co-founder of techaWare
Road, Suite 815, Wayne.
The Women, Wine and Tech event, according to the organizers, will provide an opportunity for women in the region to share insights, collaborate and talk about the roles they play in the industry — both technical and non-technical.
“The purpose of this event is to demonstrate how women can have thriving careers and contribute to the technology world,” said Lindsey Elberti, director of organizational development at Evolve IP and co-founder of techaWare.
Elberti and Nicci Townsend, Evolve IP director of client technology and co-founder of techaWare,
both come from careers in non-technology fields.
After joining the company, both were involved in separate efforts to get the word out about technology careers — serving on panel discussions and hosting technology events at Evolve IP. Those efforts were directed mainly to high school and college students.
“We combined our efforts, and wanted to take it to the professional community as well — hitting all levels to bring women and technology together. We expanded our partnerships and efforts,” Townsend said.
Elberti said there is a lot of focus around getting women interested in the technical careers — like software development and engineering. techaWare events broaden the discussion.
“We want women to know that tech drives many non-tech positions and they don’t have to be a programmer or engineer to work and advance in a tech company. There are many positions that are now driven by tech and we want to support programs and resources to advance women in technology,” Elberti said. She added that some of the other areas the group wants women to be aware of include: project managers, SaaS managers for services like Salesforce.com and social media, product marketers, managers and trainers and technology advisors in sales.
The Women, Wine and Tech event will be informal, according to Townsend, meant to let attendees learn about Evolve IP and how
technology directly and indirectly drives many careers.
“They’ll hear about our journeys entering tech, the barriers we hit, and what it takes to be successful as women in the tech world,” Townsend said. “We will also be showcasing some great wines made by women. The format is informative, fun and will enhance learning, networking and foster collaboration for women in tech in our region.”
Townsend said she was an art history major in college. After graduating she got a sales position in the telecommunications industry. She subsequently was involved with product development before joining Evolve IP.
Elberti said she has a degree in interpersonal communications.
She previously worked in real estate where she was involved in marketing and sales. She applied for a sales position at Evolve IP and progressed to a training role which led to organizational development.
Both women said coming from non-technical backgrounds, they continue to learn every day. Through techaWare, they are providing guidance, help and support for those looking to enter tech fields, and those who are already employed.
Those interested in attending Oct. 17 are asked to register by visiting www. evolveip.net/events/womenwine-and-tech . To learn more about techaWare and its upcoming events email techaware@evolveip.net.
Evolve IP provides cloud solutions to more than
1,900 enterprises and more than 420,000 users in virtually every industry including: healthcare, finance, hospitality, automotive, insurance, veterinary, legal, technology, retail, construction verticals and to some of the world’s most recognizable brands.
In addition, Evolve IP’s Compliance Cloud provides assurances and expertise for organizations in: finance and banking, healthcare, hospitality, automotive, insurance, veterinary, legal, technology, retail and construction verticals.
For more information about Evolve IP visit www.evolveip.net.
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