A new network dedicated to the advancement of women who work in the technology sector was launched recently by the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance.
The call for CATA’s Women In Technology (WIT) Forum has come from women across the technology sector, said CATAAlliance Vice President, Joanne Stanley. “Our recent survey has revealed an overwhelmingly positive demand for the creation of the Women In Technology Forum,” she added. “While there are many organizations that support the advancement of women, those of us who work in the advanced technology sector face a number of unique issues and demands. CATA’s WIT Forum has been created to boost women’s participation and progress in a very challenging sector.”
CATA WIT Forum’s mission is to help women in technology companies advance in their careers and succeed as entrepreneurs through mentoring, networking, professional development and advocacy.
The Honourable Sarmite D. Bulte, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs, stated, “Women with creativity, passion and solid business acumen exist in the high-tech sector, but they often lack the formal skills needed to develop businesses and products. They need the informal connections and networks so important to competing successfully. CATA’s WIT Forum can help develop the financing, skills and networking that are among the biggest challenges facing women entrepreneurs.”
CATA WIT Forum will launch a number of projects to jump-start its role as the “go to” forum that is committed to the advancement of women. These projects include:
• A WIT Forum online calendar of women in technology events as part of CATA’s @Canada calendar
• A book on Leadership Success for Women, to be coordinated and written by CATA for launch in the Fall of 2005
• A “Mentors and Role Models” network
• A “Start-up Toolkit” workshop
• Creation of an e-newsletter
• A program on “Leadership Essentials for Women”, which will be developed with the University of Ottawa’s Executive MBA school