There is one woman for every four men in digital workplaces in Canada. This gender gap adversely affects our ability to compete in the knowledge economy and contributes to the ongoing chronic shortage of skilled labour in this sector.

Join Women in Communications and Technology and co-host Dalhousie University as experts explore winning strategies that help close the gender gap. This summit will focus on talent development from high school to advanced education and early career attraction and retention of women. We will discuss real world case studies that include tested solutions.

Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) is the only national  organization with community chapters across Canada dedicated to keeping a persistent focus on the under-representation of women in digital industries. This event is one of three regional summits being held across Canada that will contribute to a roadmap for improved inclusion of women in the sector.

Join us to meet the experts and learn about innovative strategies that can help you attract women and diversify your talent pipeline.

#upthenumbers

This event is one of three regional summits funded by the Department of Women and Gender Equality.

When: January 30, 2020

Where: Dalhousie University

Goldberg Computer Science Building – Auditorium (room 127)

6050 University Avenue

Halifax

Agenda:

6:00 pm – Welcome and networking

6:30 pm – Presentations and panel discussion

8:30pm – Reception

Speakers

Dr. Andrew Rau-Chaplin, BA, MCS, PhD 

Dr. Andrew Rau-Chaplin has been dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University since 2015, after more than 20 years as a faculty member, researcher, and research manager for companies in the private sector. During his time at Dalhousie, he has served as director of the e-commerce program and conducted research in high-performance computing and analytics. With Dr. Rau-Chaplin’s combination of academic and industrial experience, as well as his leadership skills and passion, he has been committed as dean to growing the Faculty’s ties to industry, as well as its research capacity, academic programs, and improving gender diversity and inclusiveness through the WeAreAllCS initiative.

Jenelle Sobey

Jenelle is the Managing Partner, of Code + Mortar (formerly norex.ca), an interactive web and invention firm, globally recognized by the Webby’s (the Oscars of the web). At Code + Mortar Jenelle leads concepts, strategy, and products to market for clients, leveraging her University of Waterloo training in Human Centered Design to ensure that all products are data driven with the end user in mind. Code + Mortar is Jenelle’s third company.

In 2017, Jenelle was recognized as the National Emerging Leader in ICT, and was awarded St Francis Xavier University’s Young Alumna of the Year (2017). Jenelle received Digital Nova Scotia’s Power IT Up Next generation Award (2016), was recognized as one of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s Change Agents of the Year (2015). She has been recognized as one of 21 emerging leaders in New Brunswick by 21inc (2013) and one of 20 in Atlantic Canada by 4Front (2014).

Jenn Priske

Jenn Priske is Senior Executive at REDspace, a software development company that builds unique, flexible platforms for global industry leaders in media & entertainment and corporate learning including IBM, ViacomCBS, and WarnerMedia. Jenn has been a critical player in REDspace’s success, building and maintaining one of their strongest client relationships. Now in its 20th year, REDspace has grown to a diverse team of over 200 of world-class technical experts. Jenn believes that life in the ICT sector is as much about creativity as it is technology. In addition to leading a division of REDspace for 16 years, she has been a mentor and role model to young women throughout her career. Jenn serves as Chair on the Board of Directors for Digital Nova Scotia and is a member of the Program Advisor Committee for Techsploration. A mother of 2, she is an active leader in the community and is heavily involved with Girl Guides of Canada and her local Parent Teacher Coalition.

Emily Boucher

Emily Boucher is the Manager of Communications and Strategic Partnerships for Techsploration, an award-winning, Nova Scotia-based non-profit. Prior to joining Techsploration in 2017, Emily was the Director of Marketing & Research for Digital Nova Scotia, where she has helped grow the province’s information and communications technology industry association to unprecedented new heights. Emily also spent six years in Ottawa as the Director of Communications and Diversity for the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (Canada’s largest non-profit technology trade association), and was also the Executive Director for Canadian Women in Technology, a division of the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance. A gen-Y leader in her own right, Emily is passionate about encouraging Canada’s next generation of female leaders in STEM and trades-related fields (areas where women are typically underrepresented). Emily currently serves as the co-chair for the Nova Scotia Chapter of WCT. She holds a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science and English Literature from Carleton University, an advanced diploma in Public Relations from Algonquin College, and is currently finishing her Masters in Public Relations part-time from Mount Saint Vincent University’s renowned MPR program.