Women intech

RENEGADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL OR ID A • D E CE M BE R , 2 0 1 52
Designed and illustrated by Jill Shargaa • Shargaa Illustration & Design • www.shargaa.com • Orlando, Florida
This report was prepared by
Leslie Hielema
Vice President, Orlando Center
Florida Institue of Technology
@lhielema • lhielema@fit.edu
Danya Shea Glenny
Director, weVENTURE
Florida Institue of Technology
Founder, Fervr
@danyashea • dglenny@fit.edu
Special thanks to…
Necole Pynn
Landfall Creative
@necolepynn
STILL NEED
SHEA’S PHOTO
HERE

1
1. Setting the Stage:.................................................................2
Opening Context
Why We Did This Study................................................................... 2
Why Our Study Matters.................................................................. 3
Economic impact
New products and services
Innovative new business models
Cultures that matter to women
Realize full potential
Scale with digital tech
How We Studied............................................................................ 7
Who We Studied............................................................................. 8
2. Key Findings:........................................................................10
Impact........................................................................................ 10
Revenue
Employees
Degrees
Universities
Mentors
Awards
Their Path to Tech........................................................................ 15
Interests & Passions are Starting Point
Problem-Solving is The Prize
Early and Consistent Exposure is Key
Self-belief Cultivates Confidence
Combine Left and Right Brain Thinking
3. Community Insights & Opportunities.................................21.
Embrace The New Power & The New Economy
Address Unconscious Gender Bias
Redefine Our Conversation with Girls
Prepare Women to Pursue Capital
Harness Shared Leadership and Collective Intelligence
Start A New Conversation
4. New Initiatives for Central FLorida...................................27
contents
RENEGADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • NOVEMBER, 2015

Opening Context
T
o make data meaningful and actionable, context is key. Here we hope to
share the purpose behind initiating this study and the framework that guided
us through the process. For quick reference, here are the parameters of our
research project:
Study Timeframe: 4 months, July thru October 2015
Sample Pool: 100 women owners, founders, executives and technologists
identified with 40% response rate
Region: Orange, Seminole and Brevard Counties
Company age: early-stage startup to decades in business
Company Size: 1 employee to 500 employees
Revenue Range: pre-revenue to over $65mm in annual revenue
Industries: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, civil engineering, data analytics,
electronics, hardware development, IT, medical, mobile and web
development, modeling and simulation, nanotech, sensors,
software development, virtual reality
Why We Did This Study
S
ince Florida Institute of Technology launched weVENTURE Orlando in March
2015, we’ve been asked to provide many community partners, policy-makers
and media sources insight into the women techpreneurs in our region.
To provide the most accurate picture possible, we knew we needed to formally
address the collection of this information in a way many of us can leverage as we
make Orlando and the surrounding area the #1 choice for women to start and grow
companies, and participate fully in the tech boom, unto the economic benefit of all.
Additionally, there was a prevailing perception at many levels of our
community that “there aren’t a lot of women in tech.” Personally we know many
women in tech, but weren’t sure how indicative our perspective really was of the
reality of women in tech across Central Florida. We needed to do more research on
the demographics of women techpreneurs across Central Florida.
We are also often asked “Why does it matter to have more women in tech?”
National economic studies confirm that women-owned companies may be the
settingthestage
It seems clear
that the future
of American
entrepreneurship
and growth is
in the hands of
women.
— Kauffman Foundation
report, 2014
“
”
2

key to economic security in the years to come while local
studies confirm that the technology industry is the second
most important industry to our local economy. Therefore, we
investigated to see if there was a compelling case to justify a
community-wide imperative that we support women in tech
to have greater business success while also encouraging more
girls and young women to pursue futures in tech locally.

National Economic Insights Favoring Women Entrepreneurs
“Everyone, then, is in search of those future economic
tailwinds or “shocks” that will give a boost to twenty-first-
century growth in the same way that women’s labor force entry
and rising educational attainment did during the twentieth
century. One potential boost is a crucial economic area where
women continue to be underrepresented: entrepreneurship,
especially high-growth entrepreneurship.” - Kauffman, 2014
A study of U.S. Census data found that growth in women-
owned businesses with more than $10 million in revenue is
47% higher than among all companies with similar revenue.
A seed-stage investment firm recently reviewed its portfolio
and found that companies with at least one woman founder
performed 63% better, based on increase in company
valuation. In another study, the Kauffman foundation
found that women-led technology companies have a 35%
higher return on investment. With venture funding, those
companies have revenues 12% higher. Women are finding
success in building high-growth, venture-funded companies.
Local Economic Insights Favoring Technology Industry
In Central Florida, technology and science is the second-
largest industry after tourism, and it is one of the fastest-
growing, mirroring national and global trends. The area’s
primary industry sectors include modeling and simulation,
optics and photonics, interactive entertainment tech
and digital media, advanced manufacturing, information
technology, aviation and aerospace, and medical technology.
Learning about these companies and the entrepreneurs
who are building them provides us with a closer look at
a cluster of innovative businesses in our community and
provides insight into the experience of the entrepreneurs
who have built them. Through this information, we can see
the deep impact women have on the technology industry
in our region and gain a better understanding of future
opportunities for our community and the world.
Why Our Study Matters
W
e know that it is important to have more women
involved in technology and science. It is part of
the national dialog and can be seen in numerous
state and local initiatives. But we need to clearly understand
the reasons why it is important. By having a common
understanding of these reasons, we can leverage untapped
potential and implement the most impactful programs,
dialogs, and policy.
Technology is the thread that runs through a competitive
economy, driving multiple and diverse industries and
impacting myriad policy issues that are vital to commerce
and communication. Technology-based industries and
businesses create tremendous growth and opportunity
in the U.S. economy and are essential to competing in an
interconnected world. U.S.Chamber of Commerce
The potential to advance women economically may be the most exciting
transformative feature of technology.
— Center for the Advancement of Women, 2010
“
3RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • NOVEMBER, 2015
”

Six Reasons Why it is Important
to Have Women Engaged in Tech and Science

1) Economic Impact
Women-owned businesses already are serious players in
this nation’s economy. However, women-owned businesses
continue to lag men-owned businesses in the top revenue
categories. Only 3% of majority women-owned firms have
revenues over $1 million compared to 6% of majority men-
owned businesses. The average revenue of women-owned
businesses is less than 30% of the average revenue of
majority men-owned businesses.
National Women’s Business Council
This means there is tremendous untapped and
unrealized potential for women-owned businesses to make
an even greater contribution to the nation’s economic health.
One way to realize this potential is to better support women
who are building businesses in industries with high revenue
potential which can be found in tech and science sectors.
2) New Products and Services
We recognize that a diverse set of experiences, perspectives,
and backgrounds is crucial to innovation and the development
of new ideas. It is crucial that women engage in devising
products or services that affect areas such as health, wealth,
safety, and wellbeing, to name a few. There is also opportunity
to enhance and increase the products and services that
address the needs of women as a market segment.
3) Innovative New Business Models
There is a growing trend toward transacting business on
the basis of authenticity and personal passion, solving
meaningful problems and creating sustainable, equitable,
and profitable enterprises. Increasingly, people are choosing
to do business on the basis of purpose and a vision of a
better world. These types of business models are resonating
with women and open the door to new types of businesses.
4) Cultures that Matter to Women
One of the hottest topics in business now is culture.
Companies with strong positive cultures are now the most in-
demand. You can feel a company's culture because it is evident
in people’s behavior, enthusiasm, and the space itself. Women
are creating cultures that are inclusive, respectful of diversity
and cultivateshared leadership and most important, they are
creating environments that are supportive for women.
PICTURED AT RIGHT:
1. Tu-Hien Le, BeauGen
2. Suneera Madhani, Fattmerchant
3. Rachel Baker, Servos & Simulation
4. Shalyn Dever, Chatter Buzz
4.
2.
3.
1.
Continued on page 6
We’d like to introduce you to the women who are building and managing
tech companies and organizations in Central Florida. They’re solving problems
on a global scale, reshaping industries, and changing what we think of as
possible. Here’s a snapshot of some of the women and their companies
involved in this study.
theFACES
OFTECH

Women represent a growth market more than twice as big as China and India
combined. They control $20 trillion in global consumer spending,
own or operate between 25-33% of all private businesses,
and earn an estimated $13 trillion.
— Harvard Business Review, How Women Drive Innovation and Growth, 2013
“
” 5RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • NOVEMBER, 2015
theFACES
OFTECH
PICTURED AT RIGHT:
1. Shannon Stull Carrus, WHOISCARRUS
2. Coletta Dorado, AZZLY
3. Mary Spio, Next Galaxy Inc.
4. Leslie Hielema, Florida Institute of
Technology
5. Kay Stanney, Design Interactive
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

5) Realize Full Potential
We have an opportunity to unlock the full potential of women
in this global economy. Significant economic and personal
potential can be realized by:
• Starting and growing innovative companies in
industry sectors with high revenue potential
• Addressing the talent shortage of science and tech
workers by better supporting women who want to
pursue degrees and careers in these fields
• Ensuring girls reach their full potential by effectively
exposing them to the power of science and technology
6) Scale Through Digital Tech
We are in an era where every business needs to become
a digital business. Technology is a primary driver of
profitability and market differentiation today.
Digital technology can be used to improve internal processes
and how a company grows. Companies can expand their
boundaries by tapping into other digital businesses, digital
customers, and digital devices around the
globe. By leveraging digital technology, womenpreneurs can
effectively scale their businesses like never before.
PICTURED ABOVE:
1. Jennifer McKinley, IRRADIANCE GLASS
2. Kirstie Chadwick, International Business Innovation Association
3. Erica Jacobs, Erica Jacobs Design
4. Janet Petro, NASA - Kennedy Space Center
5. Melissa Kuchma, COMPANY NAME???
1.
2.
1.
3.
4.
theFACES
OFTECH
Businesses have access to cloud, big data, mobile and social technologies to
boost efficiency or cut costs. By leveraging these technologies, businesses can
craft new business models, develop new revenue streams, or drive changes
that lead to an increase in the top or bottom lines.
— Harvard Business Review, The Digital Transformation of Business
“
”
5.

RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • DECEMBER, 2015
1. Define what we want to achieve and the end goals.
2. Validate goals with stakeholders and subject matters experts.
3. Identify members of the target market.
4. Take time to develop the RIGHT questions. Test questions to ensure that they
elicit necessary data points.
5. Listen closely and immerse ourselves in the target market’s environment.
6. Watch carefully to see what bubbles up. Identify trends, commonalities, gaps
and opportunities.
7. Develop a common and meaningful vocabulary that describes results.
8. Convene stakeholders around the opportunities and gaps that matter most
to the community.
9. Together, define solutions and programs that align with market needs.
10. Ensure synergy among stakeholder’s offerings and cultivate initiatives that
span the entire continuum of needs.
11. Nurture on-going collaboration, as a community, to ensure long-term
economic development benefits.
HOW We Studied
W
e took an entrepreneurial approach to this study. Our goal was to
understand women in tech in the region and then develop the appropriate
response to their needs. This response may be in the form of a community
initiative, entrepreneurial programs, or even a new area for discussion. The end
goal of the study is to identify how we, as a community, could be the most
impactful to the success of women in tech and science.
WeutilizedastructuredapproachdevelopedbyLeslieHielematoconductthis
studywhichincludedprinciplesfromleanstartupandnewproductdevelopment
processesandappliedthemtocivicdevelopment.Thestepstothisapproachinclude:
It is through
this type of
“immersive
and objective
listening” that
we are able to
clearly identify
root issues and
most importantly,
launch targeted
initiatives that
will resonate best
with the market
and propel us all
to success.
—Leslie Hielema,
Florida Institute of
Technology
“
”
7

To begin our research study, we needed good access
to representatives of the population we wished to study.
When we began to ask colleagues for referrals to women
in tech we were surprised to discover an unconscious bias
affecting our region: the mental picture we hold of someone
in tech doesn’t connect to the actual women in tech. Society
holds and subtly perpetuates an outdated and stereotypical
image of a person in tech: male, antisocial, genius IQ, single
minded, with low emotional intelligence. No wonder it
was difficult for many of us to call to mind a woman in tech
who fit this subconscious picture! So first on our list was to
redefine the picture of a woman in tech in order to find the
representatives we sought.
We knew inherently that there is a natural blending of
creativity, artistry and entrepreneurship with technology
pursuits by women. Art and science are complementary rather
than distinct and different. Through our study, we discovered
our participants confirmed this knowledge. Their hobbies and
interests as children or adults ranged from reading at the top
of the list all the way to aquatic snails and Irish whistles. Each
individual had their own unique interests and curiosity. There
was a balance of the whole person in their daily life.
In addition to collecting economic data, we wanted
to hear the stories of the women building technology
companies in our community. We wanted to learn more
about how they approached science and engineering and
how their interest grew. We wanted to find the points in
their lives when they struggled with their choice of industry,
as we hear so many women do, and how they were able to
overcome those challenges. We try to partly tell this story in
their own voices – we’ve includes quotes from many of the
women we spoke to.
In interviews and surveys, we asked women about
their approach to business, their creative pursuits, and their
opinions on how we can reach more girls and women to get
them interested in careers in science and technology. We think
this information has implications for everyone working in tech,
men and women, and gives us great insight into the mind of
an entrepreneur. Here’s what we found out about who these
women are and how they’ve accomplished so much.
PICTURED AT RIGHT:
1. Elizabeth Burch,
DIGNITAS Technologies
2. Carol Cox,
InterMedia Solutions
3. Beverly Seay, SAIC and UCF
4. Diana LaTour,
COMPANY NAME
5. Carol Ann Dykes,
COMPANY NAME
1.
2.
WHO We Studied
W
e identified over 100 women who are building or leading tech companies and organizations and our list keeps growing.
The types of companies these women are building include aerospace, civil engineering services, data analytics,
electronics, hardware development, IT, medical, manufacturing, mobile and web development, modeling & simulation,
nanotech, sensors, software development, and virtual reality. We also interviewed women who have run tech companies but are
now supporting other entrepreneurs in areas such as funding or business accelerators.
theFACESOFTECH
3.
5.
4.

I can honestly say
that I was never a
conformist. I didn't
follow the “norm” and
I certainly made sure
that I received all the
facts before I made any
decision. There were
many times I refused to
do things just because
they were the “popular”
things to do.
— Jennifer Dickerson, EnRep
“
”PICTURED ABOVE:
1. Carol Craig, Craig Technologies
2. Carolyn Capern, CT Social, LLC
3. Elizabeth Caffera, Cloud 3C
4. Amy Jantzer, Echo Interaction Group
5. Dasha Moore, Solodev
6. Asia Hall, Neon Cowboys
theFACES
OFTECH 1.
2.
3.
5.
9
4.
6.

10
keyfindings
W
e wanted to understand the impact of these women from both an
economic and civic perspective. It was important to create a snapshot of
their companies and background. From this picture, we can gain deeper
insights into the people making a difference in our community and the world. In
this study, we explored:
• Revenues
• Employees
• Funding
• Professional, civic and social engagement
• Degrees and universities
• Mentors and role models
• Awards
Revenue
When we analyzed revenues from the survey respondents, it equated to over
$150M in revenue. This does not include a few outliers that were several hundred
million in revenue.
Revenue ranges were collected across various ranges.
It seems clear
that the future
of American
entrepreneurship
and growth is
in the hands of
women.
— Kauffman Foundation
report, 2014
“
” Under $250K = 36%
$251K to $500K = 4%
$501K to $1M = 25%
$1 to $5 M = 14%
over $5M = 14%
over $20 M = 7%
weVENTURE clients working on
their business model canvas.

RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • NOVEMBER, 2015 11
Number of Employees
When we looked at both full time, part-time and contract
employees, these companies employed over 1,500 people.
The larger organizations that were outliers were omitted
so that they did not skew this total number. Here is the
breakdown of employee ranges.
1 employee .....................................13%
2 to 20 employees...........................58%
21 to 50 employees...........................7%
51 to 100 employees.......................13%
101 to 500 employees.......................6%
500+...................................................3%
Degrees
We looked at the educational background of these women
and all had a college degree. It was interesting to see that
50% had technology or science degrees and 50% had
degrees in finance, business, economic or arts.
50% Technology or Science Bachelor’s degree
70% of those had Masters degree
50% Finance / Business / Arts
24% Finance / Economics / Business Bachelor degree
26% Arts / Education degree
35% of those have Masters degree
Universities
We examined the universities and colleges that these women
attended. Almost half of the women had advanced degrees.
100% attended college and received a degree
32% attended college in Florida
47% attended college outside of Florida
21% attended colleges both in Florida and outside of Florida
47% had a Masters degree or a PhD
Sources of Funding
We explored how they funded the start and growth of
their companies. Since some of the entrepreneurs
surveyed were at pre-revenue or early revenue, they
may pursue outside capital at a later time, so these
numbers represent a current snapshot at this
point in time.
ORGANIC GROWTH
Revenue and personal
savings to fund growth
63%63%
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Loans from family
and friends
6%6%
EXTERNAL SOURCES
Funding from banks,
angel investors, and
venture capital firms
EXTERNAL SOURCES
Funding from banks,
angel investors, and
venture capital firms
33%33%

Athena NextGen
Athena PowerLink
Association of US Army
Brevard County Schools
Business Executives Network
Business and Professional Women’s
Foundation
CANVS
CareerSource Central Florida
Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship
at Rollins
Central Florida Navy League
Chamber of Commerce,
East Orlando & Oviedo
Citrus Club Young Executives
Committee Member
Camaraderie Foundation Mentor
Camaraderie PTSD
Coalition for the Homeless
Compassionate Hearts
Crooms Academy of IT
BAC
The Central Florida Partnership
Child Rescue Network
Dodge Ball for Charity
Early Learning Leaders
Executive Association
of Greater Orlando
FireStarter
First United Methodist Church Oviedo
Florida Chamber of Commerce
Florida Citrus Sports Bowl Scout and
Chair of Military Affairs Committee
Foundation for OCPS
Girl Scouts
Habitat for Humanity
Heroes Commons (Homes for Vets)
History Center Valencia College
Human Factors and Ergonomics, CAI
IOA Run
National Center for Simulation
Northland Church
MACF
Melbourne Chamber of Commerce
Melbourne Regional Tech Council
Mentor at UCF for WISE program
Member of NDIA
Metropolitan Business Association
of Orlando Member
Mills50 Business Association
Mission United
NAEYC
NBIA
Orange County Regional Board
of Director
Orlando Crime Stopper Board Director
Orlando, Inc. Board of Directors
Orlando Sports Foundation
(raising funds to fight breast
cancer)
Orlando Tech Association (OTA)
Orlando Tech Meetup
CureBowl
Project Management Institute
Project Management Professional
Rotary Club of Orlando Foundation
Board Center for Advanced
Entrepreneurship at Rollins Board
of Directors
Rotary Club of Orlando
Rucksack for Wounded Warrior
Samaritan Resource Center
SBRN of Central Florida
Steering Committee
Seminole County Democratic
Executive Committee
Small Business Development Council
South East Regional Internet Society
Space Coast EDC’s Innovation Council
Starter Studio
Startup Florida
STEM Alliance
Summit Church Youth Ministries
Society of Women Engineers
UCF
UCF Incubator
UCP of Central Florida
University Club Board of Directors
and head of Charitable Works
Committee
weVENTURE
Winter Park Tech
Women Business Enterprise Council
Women in Defense
Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Women Impacting Public Policy
USWCC-U.S.
Professional, Civic and Social Engagement
All of the survey respondents were involved at a local, state, or national level in multiple professional, civic or social
organizations. Here is a listing of more than 70 organizations:

13
1.
3.
It’s time to start
reframing the
conversation
around women
in tech in terms
of potential.
“
”
2.
PICTURED ABOVE:
1.Alison Wildblood (McKillop), CAMCAD
2. Dr. Isabel Perry, 21st Century Safety
3. Susan Scrupski, Big Mountain Data
4. Lydia Chicles, BOLD! Technologies
5. Shannon Landin, Codecraft Lab
Mentors
Mentors and role models play an
important role in success.
We asked women who was most
influential in their lives. The
results are below.
36%
Parent
19%
Teacher
26%
Employer
6%
Role
Model
13%
None
theFACES
OFTECH
4.
5.
RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • NOVEMBER, 2015
STILL NEED
SHANNON LANDIN
PHOTO

Awards
Many of the women have received recognition for their hard work and contribution to their communities. These awards have
come at the local, state, and national level, and from a wide range of organizations.
ADDY Awards
Athena PowerLink
AUSA Award for Excellence 2014
AUSA Third Region Merit Award 2010
Baggage Screener Award
Best Company To Work For
Creativity International Awards
Don Quijote Award
Emmy Awards
Fast Company Most Influential Woman
in Tech
FIPA
Florida Citrus Sports Chairperson of
the Year 2012
Florida Companies to Watch
Florida Trend Magazine
2011 Gartner Selected as Cool Vendor
Nominated for Girl Scout Women
of Distinction
Graphic Design USA Awards (GDUSA)
GrowFL
IACC Entrepreneur of the Year
Inc. 500
Inc. 5000
International Hot Rod Association
IT Florida Board
Jeb Bush
Lake Eola Heights Neighbor
of the Year 2013
Maker Award
Modeling and SIM Magazine Award
NASA’s Small Business of the Year
NAWBO Award
OBJ Women of Year
Public Service Award
Rotary Club
SBA Women Business of the Year
Stevie Award
40 under 40 OBJ
TELLY Awards
Top M&S Companies for OBJ
Top Simulation Company OBJ
Venture Forum
W3 Awards
Women of Distinction
Women Who Mean Business OBJ
3.
theFACESOFTECH 4.
5.
1.
PICTURED AT RIGHT:
1. JoAnn Newman, Orlando Science Center
2. Karen G. Connors, Quality Project Control
3. Linda Rolf, Quest Technology Group and Quwho
4. Angela Alban, SIMETRI, Inc.
5. Kathy Chiu, The FAN Fund
2.

15RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • DECEMBER, 2015
Their Path to Tech
We wanted to understand how and why they become
involved with technology or science. This is what we heard.
Interests and Passion is the Starting Point
Inmostcases,thepathtoscienceortechdidnotstartfromthe
technologyitself,butbeganwithapersonalinterestsuchas:
• Entrepreneurship
• Curiosity about how things worked
• Desire to solve a meaningful problem
• Enjoyment of games or puzzles
• Desire to invent something new
• Desire to make a difference in the world
I would read through encyclopedias or books about
greatest inventions like the telephone, automobile, golf clubs,
boats, etc. I also took a great interest in sports and learned
about the strategy and science behind the analytics and
probabilities to strategize games.
Tu-Hien Le, BeauGen
Elaine Larsen not only runs the company and races jet
dragsters, but she also is developing a comic book where the
superhero is “Blaze.” This effort is intended to inspire and
empower, especially girls to be their own superhero.

Blazebuildsthecars,propelsthemtogofasterand
knowswhereshewantstogo.Ifwewanttogirlsinterested
inengineeringweneedtomakeitlookcool,funandvisually
appealing.
Elaine Larsen, President, Larsen Motorsports
Software development is a field where we can make a big
difference in the world. Angela works in the defense industry
and feels she makes a difference by improving and saving the
lives of soldiers through modeling and simulation products.
Angela Alban, Simetri
Mystrongestmemoryofwantingtocreatethingswasa
typicalhotsummerinOrlandowhenIwasabout8yearsold.
MybestfriendandIwereplayingoutside,boredandwondering
whattodo.Whensheaskedthequestion“whatdoyouwantto
do,”myanswerwasverysimply“Iwanttoinventsomething.”
Linda Rolf, Quest Technology Group and Quwho
Leila said “I never really had a passion for science or
math, rather my passion was to make a difference in the
world; which I believe to be the meaning of engineering.”
Though her first degree was in communications, Leila chose
engineering because it was “practical, solid, marketable
and believed obtaining an engineering degree, would make
others see her as smart. Her statement for girls: science is the

language necessary to make a difference in people’s lives.
Leila Nodarse, Terracon (Nodarse and Associates, Inc. was
acquired by Terracon in 2011).
Whenyoucanapplypassiontoanyproblem,you’regoingto
sticktoitlonger.Whenyoucareaboutwhatyou’reworkingon,
itmakesahugedifference.Lettingpeoplehavetheirownvoice,
theirownpassions,andcelebratingthediversityofopinionand
experience,andempoweringtheirsolutionsissoimportant.
Shannon Landin, Codecraft Lab
Problem-Solving is the Prize
100% of the women we spoke to express their passion for
problem-solving. They like being able to identify a meaningful
problem, examine it from various angles, acquire the resources
needed to solve the problem and then find a solution. This
was how they defined their day, the core of what they do as
entrepreneurs and executives. For them, their sense of success
at having solved a tough problem increased their sense of
enjoyment and satisfaction.
Small or large, you feel like you’re making a difference if
that problem is getting solved.
Shalyn Dever, Chatter Buzz
Shalyn has grown her company to several million in
revenue with 80% of her workforce being women. She
has her degrees in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. She
defines smart as the ability to understand a situation and
solve the problem.

It is about taking the time to find the best solution and
using your street smarts to find the right resources. Women are
great problem solvers and that’s what an engineer needs.
Shalyn Dever, Chatter Buzz Media
Early and Consistent Exposure is the Key
Dad was an entrepreneur. Mom bought me a chemistry set
and told me I could do anything. I believed her.
Jennifer McKinley
This has been reflected as a national trend. In a study of 100
women tech founders in Silicon Valley, it was found that over
half of the women had a parent who was an entrepreneur.
Mary Spio, Founder & CEO, Next Galaxy Corp.
Mary discovered her passion at five when she had
fun with her dad doing math puzzles. She discovered
her career path in the Air Force when an engineer told
her that she was good at fixing things. The perception
that she would be stuck in a lab for endless hours as an
engineer made this career unappealing. But she found a
passion for satellites and space and went back to college
to study electrical engineering, graduating first in her
class. Mary thought that the ability to send satellites
to space seemed like a radical power to have and calls
her degree her “Jedi Power.” She has multiple patents
in digital cinema technology. Mary would tell young
women that just as you can train the muscles in your
body, you can be good at engineering.
Parents or early
role models were
key to influencing
curiosity or an
interest in science
or technology.
“
”

Mary A. Spio, president and CEO of Next Galaxy,
demonstrates the company’s flagship
application - CEEK, a fully immersive social VR
hub for accessing entertainment, education,
and branded experiences.

Self-Belief Cultivates
Confidence
The women interviewed had strong
awareness of their own intelligence
and capability. They demonstrated
courage and conviction. The ventured
down new and unfamiliar paths,
moved gracefully around obstacles,
derived strength from opposition,
and resourcefully sought knowledge
and know-how. These women are
renegades and rebels.
They had a strong belief that
they could accomplish what they set
out to do. There was an underlying
foundation of belief that they were
worthy of success and achievement.
They believed they were part of
something bigger than themselves.
Girls assess their mathematical
abilities lower than do boys with
similar mathematical achievements. At
the same time, girls hold themselves
to a higher standard than boys do in
subjects like math, believing that they
have to be exceptional to succeed in
“male” fields. By emphasizing that girls
and boys achieve equally well in math
and science, parents and teachers can
encourage girls to assess their skills
more accurately.
Why So Few? Women in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math,
AAUW, 2010
We observed that these women
had a continuous path of progressive
accomplishments that were key to the
development of their self-belief and
self-confidence.
I believe confidence comes from a
sense of control over outcomes.
Carol Craig, Craig Technologies
Early and Consistent Exposure is the Key
Early, prolonged, and consistent exposures to science or technology concepts
and ideas from a young age seemed to be a common thread in the stories
we heard.
Parents or early role models were key to influencing curiosity or an
interest in science or technology. Parents that encouraged children to reach
for their dreams with the knowledge that hard work was a part of the process
was another common theme.
Supportive parent that
told them they could
achieve what they
wanted by working hard.
Parent was a
business owner
or entrepreneur.
28%28%
Had a family member
who was an engineer
or scientist.
Had a family member
who was an engineer
or scientist.
25%25%
38%38%
Did not have
a strong role
model when
they were
young.
13%13%
Of those with a
technology
degree, had a
family member
who was in
science or tech.
Of those with a
technology
degree, had a
family member
who was in
science or tech.
70%70%

Affirmation that someone has done a good job gives
the person the fortitude to step outside a comfort zone
and experiment with unfamiliar behaviors and new ways of
exercising leadership. An absence of affirmation, however,
diminishes self-confidence and discourages him or her from
seeking developmental opportunities or experimenting.
Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers
Harvard Business Review, 2013
Angela said she was raised to be comfortable in own skin
and had mentors that had her back. This gave her courage and
the opportunities along the way that fed her confidence.
Angela Alban, Simetri
I taught for sixteen years, and in general, most girls have
less confidence and less faith in their intelligence. Whether it’s
how we’re raised or society, there is a challenge there in terms
of how much we believe in ourselves.
Kay Stanney, Design Interactive
Providing girls with the early and consistent exposure
to technology combined with the experience of progressive
accomplishments would be a strong approach to cultivating
confidence and self-worth needed to pursue futures in
technology and science.
Combine Left and Right Brain Thinking
These women seemed to naturally combine right brain and
left brain thinking. If you ascribe to this theory, the right side
of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks and the
left brain involves logic, language, and analytical thinking.
They echo a type of modern day renaissance approach
whereby they acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in
more than one field.
They value intellect, creativity and emotional IQ equally.
For them, technology is not just about math and science,
but incorporates skills like logic, problem-solving, design
thinking, communication and collaboration.
Growing up I built treehouses and tinkered. I was always
building and creating different things. That’s what I like about
engineering. You get to create. And in our field, you not only
get to create, you get to design. I grew up around a lot of
artists and painting. Engineering allows you to mix design and
creativity. It allowed me to do the kind of building and creating
that I’ve been doing since I was a little girl.
Kay Stanney, Design Interactive
We know that the future requires diverse skill sets. Our
degrees should reflect that understanding. At the college
level, we need degrees that inspire women with both the
creative and the scientific aspect of technology. When
discussing college degree choices, many would have
entertained the idea of dual degrees or minors that
expanded on their diverse interests. Combining Engineering
with Entrepreneurship or Computer Science with Fashion
would have been an intriguing option. Supporting
multidisciplinary interests and skills is important.
For example, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania has
an engineering section on its website that reads, “College
should be about the arts AND the sciences, not the arts OR
the sciences.” The university offers an integrated degree in
engineering, arts, and sciences for “modern renaissance
thinkers.” These programs are designed to prepare
students for careers in health/biotechnology, information/
communication technologies, environmental/energy
engineering, advanced materials/nanotechnology, and
design/manufacturing.
Donna Mackinzie had a dual interest in finance and
computer science. She received her degree in accounting
but had a natural interest in computers. She went to work
in accounting after graduating, but what she really liked
was problem solving and developing software application
for businesses. Because of this dual expertise, she has been
instrumental in securing venture capital for tech ventures such
as IZEA and Channel Intelligence and has built relationships
with investment firms such as DFJ in Silicon Valley, DFJ Gotham,
Village Ventures, Inflection, Internet Capital Group, Noro-
Moseley, and Lovett Miller.
Donna Mackinzie, Starter Studio

6.
PICTURED ABOVE:
1.Jennifer Dickerson, EnRep, Inc.
2. Helene Abrams, eprentise LLC
3. Marnie Forestieri, Little Explorers Academy
and the STEM Squad
4. Elaine Larsen, Larsen Motorsports
5. Donna MacKenzie, Starter Studio
6. Susie Glasgow, COMPANY NAME?
7. Laine Powell, COMPANY NAME?
8. Bree Goldstein, COMPANY NAME?
theFACESOFTECH
4.
1.
2.
3.
7.
5.
8.

21
communityinsights
andopportunities
Embrace The New Power & The New Economy:
A Fourth Wave of Capitalism Emerging
T
he way we do business is changing. We’re entering a new wave of capitalism
that will be based on a purpose-driven enterprise model emphasizing global
connectedness, authenticity and a more personal business model. This shift
will shake up our business culture and require new skill sets of our business leaders.
This new wave resonates with womenpreneurs, which has resulted in innovative
products and services, unique business models, and empowering workplaces.
A recent article in the Harvard Business Review examines the skills sets
required by this new economy: the ability to continually learn, communication
skills, a developed worldview, an entrepreneurial mindset, ethics, initiative,
interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, teamwork, and vision, among other
skills, will determine who succeeds as businesses grow to meet the demands of
evolving industries.
Throughout our study, we noticed strong, inclusive cultures, vibrant
communities of people who were comfortable with each other, supported in their
interests and pursuits, and honored as individuals with their own personalities.
The environment was often casual, comfortable, but clearly professional. Most
importantly, perhaps, was that through all of our conversations, the women
we spoke to often referred back to the contributions of their team members.
They emphasize the importance of giving each person the freedom to express
themselves, to experiment without judgement, to make mistakes, and to learn
from them. They emphasized the ability to listen and learn about each individual,
to let them speak for themselves.

In business we talk about teamwork, building the right team and chemistry.
Every single person has something special, something they’re going to bring to the
table. When a new employee or intern walks in here, I look at them and I see the
outside covering. But I say “now tell me about you” because I find the little nuances
of what they do or know so interesting. Those are the things that are going to bring
a spark to the project.
Elaine Larsen, Larsen Motorsports
The women we
spoke to often
reffered back to
the contributions
of their team
members…they
emphasized the
ability to listen
and learn about
each individual,
to let them speak
for themselves.
“
”

• I had experienced a male
with less credentials making
more money than me in the
same job. Unfortunately,
my efforts to resolve that
were not met and I ended up
changing companiessinceI
feltIwasnotvalued.
• I had hired 2 executives
who had no respect for any
of my female employees and
of my values of an equal and
diverse workplace. It lead
me to terminate them in
order to firm my
commitment to an equal
and diverse workplace.
• I came in as a partner. I was
one of three. I went to my
first partner meeting, and in
my bag I got a box of cigars
and a necktie.
• I’ve encountered salary
issues and workplace
harassment. It’s still affecting
meandIdon’tthinkweever
reallygetovertoxicwork
environments.
•Manyyearsagoduringa
performancereviewIwas
toldthatIshouldjustget
marriedandletmyhusband
supportme.WhileIhadmet
orexceededtheexpectations
formyposition,thelarger
raisesneededtogotomen
becausetheyhadfamilies
tosupport.Iwasadivorced
singlemotherworkingfull
timeandattendingcollege
fulltime.
• While my male peers
went to business dinners,
basketball games, I was left
in the basement to continue
with software updates.
• I was told by my male peers
at university, “You won’t last
when it gets too technical.”
• I overheard the statement
“Do we really want to take
something away from man
and give it to a woman?
• I would make suggestions
about business that were
dismissed. I had to hire men
to say those same words to
be accepted.
“My math teacher
said “let me tell
you in terms you
understand –
shopping.”
”
Kay, an engineer, has grown her company to 80 employees
with over $8M in revenue. She believes success begets success
and hires super smart people and gives them free rein to do
what they want. She has employed at least 50 women with tech
and science degrees.
Kay Stanney, Design Interactive, Inc.
“Throughthisstudy,andourworkwithhundredsof
weVENTUREOrlandoclients,itisclearthattalentedCentralFlorida
womenpreneursarehighlymotivatedtobringcommerciallyviable
productstomarketinwaysthatareenrichingtoteammembers,
foragreatergoodthatsatisfiesadeepsenseofpurposeand/or
positivesocietal,economicorenvironmentalimpact.Embracing
thenewpowerandtheneweconomyispartofwhatcanmakeour
regionthe#1choiceforwomentostartandgrowtheircompanies,
untothebenefitofall.”
Danya Shea Glenny
Address Unconscious Gender Bias
There have been some challenges on the path to success.
90% of women surveyed felt that they had experienced
negative gender bias. Gender bias could be defined as unfair
or unequal difference in treatment because of someone’s
sex. Subconscious bias can have a negative effect on a
person’s decision making abilities and self-confidence. It can
limit the effectiveness of business relationships, fund raising,
and team dynamics.
Researchers asked people of both sexes to watch pitch
videos. Some of the videos were narrated by a man, others
by a woman. 68 percent of the people who watched the
videos said they’d fund the man, compared with only 32
percent who said they’d fund the woman. Those watching
the videos--men and women alike- considered the pitches
from the men more “persuasive,” “fact-based,” and “logical”
than the pitches from the women. Even though, word for
word, the scripts were exactly the same.
National Academy of Sciences (2014 Study)
Thefirststepis
developingan
understandingof
whatbiaslookslike
today,andwhereit
comesfrom.Here
aresomespecific
examplesfrom
ourstudy:

According to a Silicon Valley study, 33 percent of female
tech entrepreneurs reported facing “dismissive attitudes”
from their colleagues and 15 percent said their abilities
had been questioned. Women in Silicon Valley report overt
biases in hiring and promotion processes in many software
technology and investment companies.
Unconscious biases are created and reinforced by our
environments and experiences. Our mind is constantly
processing information, oftentimes without our conscious
awareness. When we are moving fast or lack all the data, our
unconscious biases fill in the gaps, influencing everything from
product decisions to our interactions with coworkers.
Google Ventures Research
In Harvard Business Review “Women Rising: The Unseen
Barriers” found that CEOs who make gender diversity a
priority, by setting aspirational goals for the proportion of
women in leadership roles, insisting on diverse slates of
candidates for senior positions, and developing mentoring
and training programs, are frustrated. They and their
companies spend time, money, and good intentions on
efforts to build a more robust pipeline of upwardly mobile
women, and then not much happens. Organizations
inadvertently undermine this process when they advise
women to proactively seek leadership roles without also
addressing policies and practices that communicate a
mismatch between how women are seen and the qualities
and experiences people tend to associate with leaders. The
problem with these leaders’ approaches is that they don’t
address the often fragile process of coming to see oneself.
Onewaytomitigatesubconsciousbiasistosetwell-defined
metricsforinterviews,hiringprocesses,andperformance
reviews.Somecompanies,includingmajortechnology
companiesthathavehaddifficultyrecruitingandretaining
femaletalent,haveimplementednewinternalsystemsfor
assessingskillsandperformanceusingmetricsinanattempt
toeliminatepersonalbias.Ensuringthatwearedoingthe
necessaryleg-worktoidentifycandidatesforBoardofDirector
positions,speakeropportunities,awardprogramsand
participationincommunityinitiativesisanotherstepforward.
“The Central Florida tech community is starting to take an
honest look at the lack of gender diversity of expert panelists,
guest speakers and subject matter experts. At weVENTURE
we are getting more requests for referrals to insightful women
leading influential organizations in various industries for local
events. To truly see an unbiased representation of women
thought leaders, we need to keep up the intentional work and
of seeking out and inviting more women on stage at our local
tech events.”
Danya Shea Glenny
Redefine Our Conversation with Girls
We asked, “As a nation, do we do a good job encouraging
girls to consider futures in science or technology?” 70% of
our respondents said no, we could do a better job.
It is imperative to redefine what careers in science and
technology means to women. No longer should we view science
and technology in the stereotypical manner geek culture
perpetuates. Today’s girl desires to balance multiple interests.
Science and technology is no longer antisocial or an unusual
career choice for women. The people-oriented and socially
beneficial aspects will attract women, as it does in the medical
and social sciences. A meaningful career embracing creativity,
passion and problem solving contributes to the dissolution of
stereotypes.
Leslie Hielema
Programming class in high school got Elizabeth excited
about how computers worked. To encourage girls, she
would show them fulfilling and challenging careers and their
associated salaries, stressing the importance of being self-
sufficient as a woman.
Elizabeth Burch, Dignitas Technologies
BevSeay,whohasherdegreesincomputerscience,grew
SAICfrom12employeesto2,500and$640Minrevenue.Talking
togirlsabout“simulation”andtheabilitytocreatevirtualworlds
wouldbeagoodplacetostart.Thiswouldbeappealingtogirls
sincetheycaninteractwithfemaleavatars,solvemeaningful
problemsincreativeways,understandtheoutcomesof
decisionsandbepartofadiverse,inclusivegroup.Simulationis
atooltoexperimentandispartofeverythingwedo.
Bev Seay, former Senior VP, SAIC (Science Applications
International Corporation)

“In high school I thought I would be a linguist. Then I
realized that there are so many languages within the field
of computer science that are beautiful, and even if you go to
another country, they’re going to understand the computer
science languages because they’re in the field. I found
something really magical about that.”
Asia Hall, Neon Cowboys
CarolCraigdiscoveredherpassionin7thgradeinacomputer
scienceclass. ThatfirstcomputerclasshookedCarolonwriting
codewhilehercuriositywasfosteredbyhermother.Solving
problemsbywritingcodewastangibleandfulfilling.Togetagirl
inscienceortechnology,it’sallaboutnurturingpassion.Shesaid
“Iwasnevershotdown,Iwasalwaysencouraged.It’sallabout
rolemodelsineveryaspectofagirl’slife.”
Carol Craig, Craig Technologies
Prepare Women to Pursue Capital
Preparing women to access bank loans, working capital,
angel investments or venture capital funding will open up
new opportunities for business growth.
Studies from the National Women’s Business Council
indicate:
• If women-owned or -led companies were able to access
more outside capital, they would be more likely to survive
and grow because firms that use more outside capital have
higher survival rates and revenues.
• Undercapitalization limits enterprise growth by
constraining business investments in key assets such as
equipment, employees, or inventory necessary for growth;
the business does not have the funds it needs to meet
market demands.
• On average, men start their business with nearly twice as
much capital as women.
• Women received only 2% of total funding from outside
equity, compared to 18% for men.
“Envisioning a creative, meaningful, passionate and
problem-solving career is compelling to many girls as they
seek to imagine their futures. The horizon of possibilities
expands enormously when a young girl sees a woman she
can relate to solving a compelling problem using technology.
We can model new possibilities for our girls, and we must
change the language used with our girls if we wish to give them
unrestricted access to the economies of the near future.”
Leslie Hielema
Women account for only 4.4%
of the total dollar value of
conventional small business
loans. In other words, just $1 of
every $23 in conventional small
business loans goes to women-
owned businesses.
— Committee on Small Business &
Entrepreneurship Report, July 2014
“
”24

Helene taught herself to code when computers were
new on the scene. Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, pursued
and personally recruited Helene because of her expertise
in databases and accounting. She has founded multiple
companies and she had to meet with 77 Venture Capital
firms, before she eventually received $25M in venture
funding. Helene Abrams, eprentise
“Adequatefundingatlaunchandgrowthphasesis
importantforspeedtomarket,gainingmarketshare,acquiring
talentorcompetition,andforopeningnewmarkets.Giving
womenpreneursequalaccesstoallthefundingoptionsallows
themtheopportunitytocompetebasedonmeritinthe
marketplace,ultimatelygivingusallbetterchoicesthatalign
withthechangingvaluesetsofconsciousconsumerbehavior.”
Danya Shea Glenny
Harness Shared Leadership
and Collective Intelligence
The practice of shared leadership and collective intelligence
was apparent within the companies.
Shared Leadership: The practice of bringing out the greatest
capacity in everyone by empowering each individual to be
responsible for and engaged in the success of the whole.
Collective Intelligence: Group intelligence that emerges
from the collaboration and collective efforts of many
individuals.
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your
time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up
with mine, then let us work together.”
Australian Aboriginal artist, activist, and educator
Inarecentarticle“TheParadigmShifttoShared
Leadership”inConsciousCompanymagazine,itstatedthat
whenwereorientourselvestosharedleadership,wenaturally
risetogetherandopentowardeachother.Asleadershipadapts
tomeettheneedsofthetimes,itsimultaneouslyshapeshow
weseeourproblems,oursolutions,andourselves.Weareat
thebeginningofaparadigmshiftfromtop-down,positional
leadershiptomoresystemicandcollaborativewaysofleading,
generatedfromthewisdomthatourhumanity,equality,
wholeness,andcollectiveintelligencematterfirstandforemost.
As individuals and as a community, we inherently know
that if “you do better, we all do better.” By embracing the
philosophy of “a rising tide lifts all boats” in all that we do, we
empower and activate a community to achieve great things.
Leslie Hielema
Within the companies these women established, there
was the concept of collective intelligence baked into their
culture. Sharing intellectual and relationship capital was
part of their personal and business philosophy. Most were
involved with some form of mentoring or advising, sharing
their knowledge and connections with those inside and
outside their companies.
Tech 'preneurs camp for high school students developing business and tech savvy young women.

“First hand, I’ve seen weVENTURE clients consistently
prefer to learn in group settings in order to speed their growth
through the collective intelligence of their peers. The learning
environments we facilitate rapidly evolve into problem-solving
situations where the experiential knowledge attendees gain
becomes greater than the course material or exercises could
have intended.”
Danya Shea Glenny
Start a New Conversation
Thereisarenewedconversationaboutequalityinthe
workplaceandaboutworkplacesadaptingtothe“whole”
person.Thewayweworkandwhyweworkisshifting.
Cooperativebusinessmodels,crowdsourcingandthe
democratizationofinformationareexamplesofashifttoward
collectiveintelligenceandsharedpower.Inthisnewera,leaders
needtocultivatemutualtrust,compassionandrespect.The
hierarchicalmodelwon’tworkinthiseraofsharedleadership.
“Women are building innovative high growth companies,
shaping industries, and impacting our global economy. With
this influence, we are reshaping the conversation about
entrepreneurship, business models and supportive cultures.
Through collaborative leadership, women are able to cultivate
the genius of the group. We are redefining what it means to be
successful as women. We understand that our career paths are
not linear, but multidimensional and circuitous. We embrace
both grace and grit as part of the process.”
Leslie Hielema
“In 2015 there is already a new conversation underway
across our nation and the globe about what success is for
women and the way women do work. We invite you to an
elevated dialogue around the opportunities and possibilities
before us to build a future for our region that enriches the lives
of ourselves and our neighbors, and that expresses our unique
contribution to the global economy.”
Danya Shea Glenny
weVENTURE clients practicing their pitches for judges Diana LaTour and Michael Judith.

27
Newinitiatives
In response to the research findings, community partners,
weVENTURE, and Florida Institute of Technology, together,
are launching three new initiatives.
weLEAD
In order to harness the power of collective intelligence, we launched weLEAD, a
collaborative ecosystem for businesswomen and womenpreneurs. It symbolizes
the characteristics of the new economy and new power and is intended to improve
access to capital and address unconscious gender bias.
The weLEAD website provides an easy-to-navigate ecosystem where one can
find the right resource at the right time. It is a place where everyone can contribute
their relational capital to the ecosystem, a “big door” where we can better connect
with one another and a central hub that lists all of the resources we have found to
be beneficial for growth as leaders and entrepreneurs.
Resources include:
(1) Associations and Organizations
(2) Advisors and Mentors
(3) Meet-ups and Events
(4) Leadership Development
(5) Global Initiatives
(6) Leveraging Tech
(7) Awards and Recognition
(8) Start-ups and Entrepreneurs
(9) Policy and Politics
The ever-changing ecosystem is organic, holistic and dynamic, creating a
collective support system that is continuously evolving.
Special thanks to Appleton Creative for creating the weLEAD website.
To access weLEAD, go to weLEADOrlando.com
Contact: Leslie Hielema at lhielema@fit.edu.

Girls Who Code
In response to the need to redefine the conversation with
our girls regarding futures in technology and science, we
are launching the national program Girls Who Code. Since
beginning in 2012, Girls Who Code to date has served over
3,860 girls in 29 states. The vision of Girls Who Code is to reach
gender parity in computing fields based on the fact that more
girls exposed to computer science at a young age will lead to
more women in technology and engineering fields.
Together with leading educators, engineers, and
entrepreneurs, Girls Who Code has developed a new model
for computer science education, pairing intensive instruction
in robotics, web design, and mobile development with high-
touch mentorship and exposure led by the industry’s top
female engineers and entrepreneurs.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that by 2020,
there will be 1.4 million computer specialist job openings. To
reach gender parity by 2020, women must fill half of these
positions, or 700,000 computing jobs. Anecdotal data tells us
that an average of 30% of those students with exposure to
computer science will continue in the field. This means that
4.6M adolescent girls will require some form of exposure to
computer science education to realize gender parity in 2020.
With support from public and private partners and Girls
Who Code, together, we can educate, inspire, and equip
high school girls with the skills and resources to pursue
opportunities in computing field. By equipping girls with
21st century tools for innovation and social change, we can
ensure the economic prosperity for women, families and
communities across the globe.
Information is available at weVENTURE.org
Contact: Leslie Hielema at lhielema@fit.edu.
Women Who Drive Award Series
We want to recognize women who drive elements of the
new conversation around entrepreneurship and technology.
This new award series will showcase women who embody
the new power and the new economy. This may be through
revenue growth, innovative business models, accessing
capital, or harnessing shared leadership and collective
intelligence. The premier award program “Women Who
Drive” will be held in Orlando in 2016.
For more information, go to weVENTURE.org.
Contact: Shea Glenny at dglenny@fit.edu.

weVENTURE clients and
coaches focused on business
innovation and growth.
RENEG ADES AND REBELS, W OMEN AND T ECH IN CENTRAL FL ORIDA • DECEMBER, 2015 29

For more information about this
conference, please visit
http://weventure.org/welcome

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