Tech Women's Program: Women & Technology in Developing Nations
NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION IS OPEN THROUGH THE END OF DAY, 06/22/2009. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER IF POSSIBLE. THANK YOU!
Topic: Technology is an integral part of our work and personal lives. But- how does it impact women in remote parts of the world? What many people don’t realize is that the introduction of technology can have significant impact on the lives of women and those around them. Come learn about this unknown side of computers and other technologies from panelists who are involved in programs in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere.
Heather Ramsey, Institute of International Education/Women in Technology Program (Middle East) http://www.witmena.org/
Heather has designed and managed initiatives that have been implemented in more than twenty countries. Heather led the USAID-funded Women in Technology pilot program, which provided training to more than 500 women in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. She conceptualized WIT Yemen, which has now grown to encompass nine countries in the MENA region. Heather managed outreach programs to Eastern and Central Europe, the former Soviet Union, and MENA regions for US-based English language schools. Heather has a Master’s in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Heather has studied, lived and worked in Cuba, France, Germany, Romania, Switzerland and Egypt.
Anu Saxena, Barefoot College (Women Solar Engineers)
First Rural Women Heroes of Tombouctou
For over twenty years Anu has been involved with the design, evaluation and coordination of international development programs in marginalized communities, with a focus on gender issues. She has worked with Barefoot College (India), Fondo D.R.I. and Escuela Nueva Internacional (Colombia), Rroma Foundation (Switzerland), Global Fund for Women, Pathfinder International and the Crittenton Women’s Union (USA). Currently based in San Francisco, she is coordinating the Barefoot College’s solar engineering training program in Latin America in partnership with the Small Grants Program of UNDP. Anu earned her doctorate in Social Anthropology from Boston University. She has also lived in Japan, Oman and India, and speaks English, Hindi and Spanish.
Anabelle Pinto, Cisco Networking Academy
Anabelle Pinto drives Cisco’s Social Economic Solutions Portfolio and social responsibility (CSR) programs. In June 2008, Pinto lead Cisco's Public Private Partnership for the Sichuan Earthquake of May 12, 2008 (one of the largest natural disasters in the last 20 years). Pinto has over 20 years of experience in international business and economic development / market strategies in Europe, Latin America and the United States. Pinto holds a Masters of Economic Development Emerging Nations from Dauphine University, an MBA in International Marketing from the University of South Florida and a Masters in Organizations and Systems Development by the Gestalt Institute in Cleveland. Pinto speaks Spanish, French, English and Portuguese.
Heather Fleming, Catapult Design http://catapultdesign.org/
Heather is a designer, engineer, and an entrepreneur motivated by social inequality. In 2005, she helped found and lead a volunteer group of engineers and designers focused on humanitarian design projects via Engineers Without Borders (EWB). Heather was named a 2008 Pop!Tech Social Innovation Fellow for her work with both EWB and Catapult Design. She previously worked in the Silicon Valley product development consulting world and has six years experience working with multi-disciplinary teams to design, develop, and deliver product solutions for a diverse range of companies. Heather also lectures the class “Design for Sustainability” at Stanford University in the Mechanical Engineering department. Heather has a BS in Product Design from Stanford University.
MODERATOR: Almaz Negash, Entwine Global http://www.entwineglobal.com/
Almaz Negash consults businesses and educational institutions on international trade, economic development and sustainability. Over the last fifteen years she has helped build and foster countless, vital strategic relationships between a diverse set of individuals and organizations around the world. Serving at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Almaz had the opportunity to further her expertise in connecting, former head of states, business and community leaders, individuals and organizations from varied backgrounds to critical global challenges. She is contributing author of the book Awakening Social Responsibility and author of several articles on regional and global issues.
6:00 - 6:30 p.m Registration and Networking
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Program / Q & A
$10 for SDForum Members
$25 for Non-Members
$0 for Platinum Pass