Harvard WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference

This weekend, I had the honor and privilege of fulfill a dream, I attended my first Tech conference, Harvard WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference at Harvard University ✨. The past two days have been an inspiring journey with incredible panelists, keynotes, workshops, and fireside chats led by incredible women leaders in the industry. Their passion, and innovative spirit were truly remarkable, as they shared their incredible knowledge and experience, empowering us all to reach new heights in tech. The Harvard WeCode Conference was an inspirational exploration into the transformative power of technology, showcasing its potential to create a brighter tomorrow. Exploring different areas including generative AI, biotech, and machine learning, I was deeply moved by the impactful applications that are currently impacting our society. This experience has redefined my passion to further explore and learn to contribute to the advancements in the tech industry. My heart is full of gratitude with all the team of Rewriting the Code and Kristin Austin, Ed.D. for continue working everyday towards the existing gender gaps providing wonderful opportunities to incentivate girls and woman in tech to achieve success, rewriting the code is an inspirational organization who will help you to shine ✨. Thank you to every sponsor, panelist, to all the Harvard students for the effort with the logistics, and as well, to all the girls that make this experience unforgettable including Ximena Renteria, Joanna Rodriguez Zamarron, Morgan L., Skyler Basco 🎀 , Kanika Mohan, Erika Sena, Giana A., Niyati Khandelwal.

I definitely travelled farthest to Harvard WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference 2024 (33 hours of flying from Abu Dhabi ✈ Boston & back!!), but I'm so glad I did. What a weekend! Five of my biggest takeaways from a jam-packed two days: 1️⃣ You are always qualified 🎖️ I'm biased, but my favorite speaker was undoubtedly Yasi Milani, who pivoted from healthcare to fintech and now works as a product leader at Chase Credit Card Benefits. Her advice? Constantly shoot your shot, show how your skills transfer for the role you want, and don't let rejection faze you. Whatever you need to learn, you'll learn on the job, so focus on getting your foot in the door and proving that you're ready to step up. 2️⃣ Go where you'll grow 🪴 Finding people that value you is critical, especially early on in your career – so seek out cultures, opportunities, and communities that recognize your worth and give you that room to grow. If you can't find them, be the first to start that community or conversation, and you'll quickly attract like-minded people: peers, mentors, and even future collaborators! 3️⃣ Hold on to your reason 💜 The startup and SWE panels emphasized that the how of doing something is always learnable. It's the why that sets the outliers apart. Whether they were a Director at Visa or an entrepreneur of 20+ years, they each had a strong personal reason that kept them going through every setback – so whatever you do, hold on to your own personal why. 4️⃣ Get ready to lead 🙋♀️ Multiple speakers highlighted that one of the biggest challenges as a woman in tech isn't just breaking in, but rising up the ranks. To do that, you have to think like a leader, understand the strategy of the business, and demonstrate that you can influence people towards a goal, even without a title or formal authority. Invest in those soft skills early on! 5️⃣ Harness AI! 🤖 Come on, it's a tech conference in 2024. Of course AI came up (in the AI/ML panel too, of course!) Their biggest piece of advice? AI here to stay - so learn how to use it, add it to your workflow, and get excited about building with AI, even with projects as simple as a spice-cabinet chatbot or ML bird-identifier. All that aside, I had the loveliest time exploring Boston and Cambridge, and I feel so lucky to have met such incredible, passionate, and talented women in tech! If I met you at WECode, do say hi in the comments 👀 Special thanks to everyone who stuck with me throughout (Irem Naz Celen, Jamie Pan, and more, I miss you already! 💜), but don't worry - I'll be back someday! #HarvardWECode #womenintech #technology #takeaways #learning #earlycareer #tech #InclusivityInTech

Had an amazing experience presenting over the weekend at Harvard WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference! What an inspiring group of intelligent #womenintech We talked about my work in technology and mental health, ways we can leverage digital technologies in healthcare, and my multidisciplinary career in digital health—from clinical neuropsychology to venture capital. Thank you for having me and for the engaging discussions that followed! 🎉

Thank you Renee Perpignan for inviting me to Harvard University to speak at the Harvard WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference. This was such an amazing Conference. To be able to pour into the minds of young women in tech fields is an honor that I do not take lightly! I had the opportunity to speak on a highly informative panel AI/ML with Shelby Tallent and Jeneba Wint 🧠. This was by far an awesome experience and I pray that I was able to encourage and inspire these young women in some way. One thing I hope they remember from me is my words to them that “ When you walk in the room you are a BOSS and when you walk out the room you are BOSS! Also thank you to my support and wonderful BID - Business & Individual Development team!!!!! #ProjectManagement #ScrumMaster #AgileMethodology #TeamDynamics #BIDDevelops #biddevelops #whoswhoinblack #2023WWIB #WWIBCincinnati23 #creative #teamwork #teamcollaboration #safeagilist #pmo #vmo #projectmanagement #agilecoach #agileprojectmanagement #strategy #strategicplanning #development #work #business #agile #grateful #team #network #partner #partnership #SAFe #LeadingSAFe #SAFeSPC #Innovation #Management #HumanResources #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Creativity #Future #Futurism #Entrepreneurship #Careers #Markets #Startups #Marketing #SocialMedia #VentureCapital #SocialNetworking #LeanStartups #Economy #Economics #biddevelops #team #PMO #SAFe #Agile #Scaledagile #SPC #Agilecoach #Coaching #teamcoach #cincinnati #ohio #Atlanta #Texas #aiandml #ai #harvarduniversity #harvard Ursula Spencer Jeni Keeler

Over two immersive days, Rewriting the Code participated in the world's largest student-run women in tech conference: Harvard WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference! The experience included workshops, networking, empowerment, touring, and fun for over 650 women and minoritized genders. Congratulations to the incredible team of students who organized this event! We are grateful for the opportunity to witness the collaboration of like-minded women in tech and to be a part of it.

Check out our events hosted by our wonderful sponsors Citadel, Palantir Technologies, Susquehanna International Group, LLP (SIG), and more this weekend at the conference! Full schedule available on our website harvardwecode.com/schedule 💖

🚨American Dream Podcast with Elias Torres, featuring Hannah Zhou and Rhea Acharya, our amazing WECode Co-Chairs is LIVE! 🚨 Watch here: bit.ly/49sxs9G Episode is available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube 💖

We are so excited to have Telle Whitney, Co-founder of the Grace Hopper Celebration and former CEO of the Anita Borg Institute, join us for a fireside chat at WECode 2024! Telle Whitney is a senior executive leader, an entrepreneur, and a recognized advocate and expert on women and technology. She has over 30 years of leadership experience and was named one of Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of Women and Technology. She is an accomplished technologist who spent twenty years in the semiconductor industry in Silicon Valley. Telle has been called “a pioneer for the promotion of women technologists” and “one of the most inspirational leaders I have ever known.” Telle co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference in 1994 and was CEO of the non-profit Anita Borg Institute from 2002 to September 2017. She transformed the Institute into a recognized world leader for women and technology. She has won numerous awards, including the ACM Distinguished Service Award, an honorary degree from CMU, and is an honorary member of IEEE. She co-founded the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2022 and serves on the National Medal of Technology nomination committee. Telle serves on the board of AI4ALL, CMD-IT, and Power and Systems and consults for numerous technology organizations. Telle holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from the California Institute of Technology and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Utah. Want to hear her speak? Register for the conference at tinyurl.com/wecode2024 💖

🚨LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE IN-PERSON TICKETS🚨 We are almost at capacity for the conference and only have 50 IN-PERSON TICKETS left!!! Secure your ticket now before it’s too late, but don’t worry if you are not able to make it in-person… virtual ticket sales close in 4 days on Feb 15! Register for WECode 2024 at tinyurl.com/wecode2024 💖

Can’t make it to the conference in person? No worries! Virtual ticket sales end in on February 15th and virtual attendees will: 🗣 have full access to all speaker events (keynotes, panels, solo talks, etc.) on the schedule unless otherwise noted 📒 be able to submit their resume to the resume book which is distributed to sponsors! 💓 have social events to get to know other attendees + build their network throughout the day ❌ Virtual attendees will not have access to mentorship circles, mock interviews, and the career fair. Get your ticket at tinyurl.com/wecode2024 💖 #wecode #harvardwecode #womenintech #computerscience #womeninstem