An information-sharing, networking opportunity for Women of Colour to share their experience and expertise with each other.
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Synopsis
An information-sharing, networking opportunity for Women of Colour to share their experience and expertise with each other. Hear stories of their journeys, along with hints, tips and advice for careers and a chance to celebrate our achievements!
Things about tech that nobody tells you as a woman of colour.
An in person, information-sharing, networking opportunity for women of colour to share their experience and expertise with each other. They will share stories of their journeys in tech, hints, tips and advice for career progression and a chance to celebrate our achievements in tech!
The event includes lightning talks and a panel discussion covering:
- Salary negotiations
- Micro-aggressions and workplace tension
- How Teams and Organisations can be more inclusive
- Interviewing and CV's
- Career Journeys
About the speakers
Kavita Kapoor
Kavita Kapoor is an award-winning technologist focusing on artificial intelligence and education. Her current portfolio covers; Chief Technology and Product Officer of Elias Robot, Founding Member of the Federation of Humanitarian Technologists, Senior Lecturer Product Management for Emerging Technology at Code University, and Founding Chair of the British Computing Societies Pride Specialist Group.
Kavita trained as a coder and software architect for organisations as diverse as the BBC, Channel 4 Television and ICL Fujitsu and product manager with London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Going on to lead organisations globally, she has held positions as CEO of What'sMySize, Regional Digital Operational Director working in Singapore and India and COO of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.
Tania Mahmood
Tania is a Cloud DevOps Engineer and Women@AVEVA ERG Co-Lead.
After earning a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree, she undertook a two-year technical graduate scheme at AVEVA. Since completing the graduate scheme (January 2021), she has accepted a full-time role at AVEVA.
Her proudest achievement to date is achieving an EngTech accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and winning a gold medal for a science project in the energy category by defeating participants from 69 countries.
Tania is very passionate about STEM and loves supporting the next generation wherever she can, to enthuse them towards a STEM career.
Nicola Martin
Nicola is currently Head of Quality Engineering at Adarga, a UK-based AI software company.
Nicola is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in software engineering. She mentors and coaches professionals wanting to either change or develop their careers.
Nicola is a Council Member for the British Computer Society. She is also a professional member of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). Nicola is a speaker and panelist at global events on diversity, women in tech, quality, AI, software testing and mentorship. Nicola has been included in the 2022 Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech List top 30. She has also been a judge for the UK Tech Awards and will be part of the judging panel for the Black Tech Achievement Awards in 2023.
Jo Richards
Jo Richards is an accomplished Software Test Engineer with over 4 years experience working within the Quality Assurance field. Jo's experience extends across both the public and private sectors, with extensive experience at the Ministry of Justice working across multiple digital transformation projects as well as her current experience at Ito World, a private transit data company, giving her varied experience with her role.
Jo's key interests are in manual testing as well as process improvement, but also enjoys mentoring and peer to peer growth, both within and outside her company - often using twitter and social media to outreach and network with other experienced and aspiring testers.
Jo has frequently featured in tech webinars and panels playing an active part in the online tech community - having recently collaborated with 'Bird Eats Bug' and 'Ministry of Testing'.
Jo's aspirations are to continue to explore the role of QA and facilitating insightful discussions within the test community, bringing people together and using her voice to encourage others into the instrustry. Jo is currently learning python to develop her skills in automation testing.
Sheekha Singh
Sheekha is QA Automation Lead at Artisan Studios. She is also the author of the tech book ‘ The IT Girl’.
Sheekha, an award winning author, graduated with a Master's Degree from the United States of America and started working in the IT industry. Sheekha has addressed different issues in the tech world through her speaking engagements at international tech conferences. She is now dedicating her time to generate awareness about IT/Tech in the younger generation. She was listed in the Agile Testing Days' list of 125 awesome testers to keep an eye on in the year 2017. Her goal is to see a substantial growth in the number of young girls choosing careers in IT/Tech, worldwide, in the next few years. Winner of the Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards 2021 in the Technology/Engineering Non-Fiction category (Gold).
Jo Stansfield
Jo is the Founder and Director of Inclusioneering, a social enterprise offering Diversity and Inclusion consultancy in the technology and engineering domains. Alongside this, Jo is the Global Lead for Diversity and Inclusion for AVEVA, a leading FTSE 100 technology firm. Jo holds a number of voluntary positions, including committee member of BCS Women, the womenÕs specialist group of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and Fellow of AI ethics and audit charity, ForHumanity.
Nnenna Stevenson
A Product Manager and Business Analyst in software development with about 10 years experience. Nnenna is a member of the BCS and an immigrant who has moved from middle level to senior management and is keen on helping other women transition to Tech or work their way up as well. Having worked in the UK in the last 5 years, there is so much to share about how women of colour can navigate the work environment in developed countries.
Barbara Wallington
Barbara is a Business Analyst and Diversity Champion. She was born in Ghana, but emigrated to the UK where she graduated in Business and Management from Northampton University. Barbara has worked for the British Embassy and travelled extensively throughout South East Asia. On her return to the UK, she successfully ompleted an MBA, focusing in particular on diversity issues such as discrimination and unconscious bias.
Barbara has made use of her knowledge and experience by setting up an online support platform and network called the Obaapa Ladies Club (Obaapa means 'a good woman' in Twi), with the aim of empowering women to succeed. Barbara has also worked in collaboration with her local MP, David Rutley to promote diversity discussion and inclusion in local schools.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
COVID-19
BCS is following government guidelines and we would ask attendees to continue to also follow these guidelines. Please go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for more information, advice, and instructions.
CPD Credits: This event counts for two hours towards your CPD. More information is available at www.bcs.org/cpd.
This event is brought to you by: BCSWomen specialist group, BCS Software Testing specialist group and BCS Pride specialist group
