DATE: Thursday – Friday, 22 – 23 April 2021
VENUE
- Thursday: Zoom and Facebook Live (CARICOM page); 10 am – 2pm
- Friday: Zoom; 10am – 12noon
- See also: ITU Girls in ICT
FEATURE SPEAKERS FOR THE EVENT
Moderator
Mrs. Erica Simmons, SMIEE, SME
Erica.Simmons@ieee.org
+1 876 819 3995
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIST / INNOVATOR / CATALYST / PHILANTHROPIST
A global technologist, innovator, catalyst and philanthropist with Fortune 100 business experience, Mrs. Erica Simmons’ professional career has included a successful 25 years in the enterprise software technology industry holding strategic roles for Siemens AG (Munich, Germany) and Oracle Corporation (Redwood City, CA). At Siemens AG, one of the world’s largest engineering companies, she accomplished patent applications for software products and let global teams in sales and technical product marketing. Today, she is the Executive Director for Jamaica’s first 4th Industrial Revolution technology R&D centre located at the Caribbean Maritime University in Kingston, Jamaica.
A published journal author, a recognized connector and change agent, Mrs. Simmons is a sought-after public speaker on innovation, digital transformation, product lifecycle development, STEM technology and the Future of Work.
Mrs. Simmons is the 2021 Chairwoman of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Jamaica Section. The IEEE is one of the world’s largest professional technical associations and standards bodies dedicated to advancing humanity thru the use of technology.
TIFFANI TEACHEY
Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, professional speaker, and international bestselling author of the children’s book What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z, available in Spanish & French, coloring & activity book, and women’s empowerment books Saving Lives While Fighting for Mine: Stories Empowering Women to Win and Pretty, Paid, and Powerful: 40 Days to Empowering the Woman Within. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Masters of Science degree in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
As an engineer with more than sixteen years of experience, Tiffani has a passion for inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Tiffani was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor.
Ingrid Riley
Ingrid Riley is an Award-Winning Caribbean Tech Industry TrailBlazer, Digital Media Entrepreneur, Syndicated Tech Blogger, Podcaster, Event Producer and has been. a Digital Nomad since 2007.
She’s behind SiliconCaribe -the trailblazing brand, that kickstarted the Tech Startup movement in Jamaica, and that’s been influencing the growth of the Caribbean Tech Startup Ecosystem and Digital Caribbean since 2007. For her work, she has received many awards including the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) 50Under50 Business Leader + TechLink Game Changer Caribbean Awards.
Dubbed the “Caribbean Tech Queen” by Caribbean media back in 2012 for her pioneering work in the Caribbean Tech Industry and Tech Startup Ecosystem-Ingrid is A big believer in #DigitalCaribbean and its limitless possibilities for the Region and has been featured in a SiliconValley TEDx Talk given by Futurist Gary Whitehill.
Ingrid has advised Government Ministers, Universities, and Development agencies on tech startups, innovation programmes, and startup ecosystems. She also served as Board Chairman of StartupJamaica; she has advised two past Jamaican Ministers of Science, Energy, and Technology via the National ICT Advisory Council and has been an SXSW Startup Accelerator Event Board Member.
Ingrid is the currently CEO of Rebel Grrl Media – A Women-First Digital Media Company. It creates digital content, community, commerce, and events that amplifies women-led businesses as well as development initiatives that target the needs and dreams of women. The company has a growing family of digital media brands, roster of events and and agency services for women-led businesses as well as governments, development organizations and businesses with women-focused initiatives.
Laura Alvarez Modernel
Laura is a Sr. Program Manager for Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector where she leads educational and community impact programs in the Southern Cone of Latin America. She is the Lead for AWS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts in Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean and is part of the Women@Amazon Global Board, representing Latin America. During her first year at Amazon, Laura co-founded the Latin America and Argentina Chapter for the Women@Amazon affinity group.
Laura focuses on driving digital talent creation strategies to help bridge the digital divide, connecting local talent with opportunities. She actively incorporates a diversity and inclusion perspective in all initiatives, which also seek to create a positive economic impact.
Laura has experience working in NGOs and technology companies where she led the strategy development and creation of Corporate Citizenship and sustainability practices in Latin America. She is also a co- founding member of the Alumni Network of Vital Voices in Argentina and is involved in nonprofit organizations that foster female leadership and gender equality.
Laura has a degree in International Studies from the University Torcuato Di Tella, with postgraduate studies on Local Development & Social Economy and CSR & sustainability.
See Also:
Web Adventures – April 23 2021
Simple Coding with Scratch