Summit targets women in technology, entrepreneurs

Throughout her studies in computer science at the University of Calgary, Carrie Mah said women were “a rare sight.”

“In my first set of computer science courses, I counted about 10 women to every 100 men,” she said. “This is a bit daunting, because I was learning new topics and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to connect with other students.”

She was fortunate enough to be surrounded by supportive colleagues who collaborated with her, but she said other women in the program didn’t have the same kind of support, and were dissuaded from continuing in technology.

Mah was one of 180 attendees at a conference in Calgary on Wednesday focused on women in technology and entrepreneurship.

Organizer Kylie Toh said Geeky Summit is the first event of its kind in Alberta.

“Events like Geeky Summit are important because they help profile more women as leaders and role models in this space, and they help showcase the journeys of how they fought through their careers to inspire other young women as well,” said Toh, who is the founder of non-profit organization Chic Geek.

The full-day conference included speeches, workshops and panel discussions from a variety of presenters, including some very young entrepreneurs.

Sophia Fairweather, 8, said she planned to speak to conference attendees about girls, business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Sophia’s father, Trevor, said the young entrepreneur was so successful with her phone decal business that she is using the revenue to support various other endeavours, including investing in a technology company and helping to design a software app. She has also set up a charitable fund to help other kids with a $3,000 grant distributed twice a year.

Chic Geek, which was founded in 2013, hosts events every month, including tech talks and workshops. The non-profit also runs a mentorship program.

Having a platform like the all-day summit for women in technology to come together is critical, Toh said.

“This community gives them the courage and the confidence to keep learning and exploring,” she said.

“And it is where they can come and ask questions or share their struggles, and it makes them feel like they’re not alone, and that’s the most important thing.”