Women of MENA in Technology Association - November 2020

Shamin Rostami Walsh

WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON DIVERSITY

WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY

DIGITAL REPORT 2020

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WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON DIVERSITY

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WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY

SEPIDEH NASIRI TELLS US ABOUT THE MISSION OF THE WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION AND ITS UPCOMING CONFERENCE

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epideh Nasiri, CEO and Founder of Women of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in Technology, moved from Iran

to Germany at the age of four, before heading to the United States 10 years later. Her family settled in Cupertino, home of tech giants such as Apple and Sun Microsystems. “My father was very keen on bringing us to an area of the United 04

States where innovation and education was at the forefront. And having access to computers at such a young age certainly had an effect on me.”

After studying Business and Psychology at UCI, Nasiri was part of a team of four who founded a startup pioneering the provision of digital paywalls to magazines, before moving back to Silicon Valley and working for a number of tech companies. “One of the most pivotal times for me was being in a room with decision makers from tech companies or startups and being the only woman in the room, being the only person of color in the room, and being the only Iranian in the room.”

That realisation led to Nasiri joining an organisation known as Woman 2.0, which pioneered the format for women in tech organizations or

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Niki Bayat

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WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY

“ Everyone needs to speak up when in your company, something is not done right”

Sadaf Amouzegar

media companies. I joined the team as the vice president and we grew the company within three years into a multimillion dollar company, partnering with tech companies like Google and Facebook and Microsoft.”

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Women of MENA in Technology was born out of the difficulty Nasiri

Women of MENA in Technology Montreal, Oct 2020, “AI Practical Applications” CLICK TO WATCH

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53:27

E X E C U T I V E P R O FILE :

Sepideh Nasiri Title: Founder and CEO

Location: United States

Diversity is everyone’s responsibility, whether you are a founder, a recruiter, a hiring manager, a marketing or technical employee. We all need to work together to create an inclusive workplace!

I started Women Of MENA In Technology (previously known as Persian Women In Tech) in March of 2015 to create a sense of belonging for Iranians, Middle Eastern and North African Women In Technology (STEM). At a time where conversation of diversity and inclusion had started in Tech and minorities were recognized, sadly MENA communities were not included, and for me it was important to elevate these women’s voices, work and stories to make sure our current and next generation of diverse women entrepreneurs and technologists are inspired to achieve their full potential and break glass ceilings not just here in the US but globally without a doubt and dream their dreams but also take the first steps towards making those dreams a reality.

As a community we are stronger and can achieve more by inspiring, supporting, empowering, educating and motivating each other. My hope is that through our work, we can push for a tomorrow where we have closed the diversity and gender gap in STEM.

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WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY

Strategies to Advance Your Career During the Crisis CLI CK TO WA TCH

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55: 22

08 found when supporting a founder

an initial meetup of seven women,

in their need in finding an Iranian

to 40 being hosted by Google, and

woman engineer to diversify their

now with over 35,000 members and

engineering team. “It was a shock to

presence in 17 cities across the globe.

me that I didn’t know my own com-

“We have expanded our offerings and

munity. I couldn’t come up with one

resources and access. And one thing

Iranian woman engineer to introduce

that sets us apart from any other

them to. I knew that they existed and

organization around the world is that

that they worked in large companies,

our community is 90% technical.”

but they were not represented, and

Nasiri emphasises that its mission

there was no way for us to tap into

is all the more critical given the back-

them and for them to connect with

wards trend on equality reported by

each other.”

the World Economic Forum. In 2019,

The organisation has grown rapidly

207 years was the figure given for

since its foundation 5 years ago, from

women to reach parity with men. In

Melinda Hakim

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www.wo me no f me na i nt e c hno l og y . com

WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY

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“ One thing that sets us apart from any other organization around the world is that our community is 90% technical”

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WOMEN OF MENA IN TECHNOLOGY

2020 it is 257 years. Her organisa-

On 5 and 6 November the third

tion is working to counter that by

annual Women of MENA in Tech

putting the spotlight on women

Conference is to take place, this year

with an origin in MENA. “Suddenly

in a virtual capacity, with an expected

their companies realize what a gem

100,000 attendees. “Every year we

they have hired. We have certainly

have sold out at our locations. This

seen a change in title or promo-

year, due to COVID, we’re going virtual.

tions because someone has been

In a way, it’s a blessing, because we

elevated on our platform. But it’s not

do have a global community, and now

just a one sided thing with us. We’re

they can all attend. The conference is

really focused on both sides, con-

to highlight trailblazing women who are

necting the tech companies and our

of Middle Eastern and North African

community in terms of visibility.”

descent and for them to talk about

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Sepideh Nasiri

“ We’re really focused on both sides, connecting the tech companies and our community in terms of visibility” to Dubai who will be represented.”

Nasiri is clear that organisations such as Women of MENA in Technology cannot be solely relied upon to turn the tide, or even companies or recruiters. “I think it’s everyone’s responsibility. If you are an engineer working on a product, you have a responsibility to make their challenges and successes.”

The organisation is fundraising for

sure the company where you are working is introducing talent and

$100,000 dollars to hit its budget

bringing your network in so that it

goal and make it free, having so far

is diverse. Everyone needs to speak

raised $75,000 and providing 75,000

up when in your company, something

scholarships to community partners

is not done right.”

in organisations focused on STEM and technology. “We have already

Our conference page

confirmed many speakers and IT leaders from SAP to Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and so on, and women from investment firms across the Middle East from Egypt to Turkey www.wo me no f me na i nt e c hno l og y . com

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