For International Women’s Day, BetaKit has highlighted of some of the many women in Canada’s tech community building strong companies, creating strong networks, and taking no bullshit. Amplify their voices.
Of course, this is not a definitive list! Share in the comments below the women in the Canadian tech community that you’re celebrating today.
Janelle Hinds, founder of Helping Hands App
@MobileAppQueen
Why you should follow: Hinds works with Equal Voice to help elect more women to political office, and is a #DaughtersoftheVote delegate, making recommendations on how the gov’t can encourage women into STEM.
Jeanette Stock, founder of VentureOut
@JeanetteStock
Why you should follow: Stock is creating an inclusive space for LGBTQ people and giving them the network to learn more about navigating the tech world.
Shyra Barberstock, Okwaho International founder
@ShyBarberstock
Why you should follow: Okwaho International is an advocate for Indigenous business in Canada and around the world, acting as a social network for entrepreneurs. Follow for highlights on Indigenous businesses and diversity.
Karen Schulman Dupuis, George Brown instructor
@karensd
Why you should follow: Self-described “shift disturber” Schulman Dupuis is a frequent public speaker on diversity, social justice, and entrepreneurship. She also sells amazing t-shirts.
Huda Idrees, founder at Dot Health
@hidrees
Why you should follow: Besides taking the lead on product at fast-growing Toronto companies like Wealthsimple, Idrees is a well-known advocate about issues related to women and people of colour in tech.
Melissa Sariffodeen, co-founder/CEO of Ladies Learning Code
@melsariffodeen
Why you should follow: Sariffodeen has grown LLC’s mission of more women in STEM into national initiatives like Canada Learning Code.
Melissa Nightingale, head of creators at Wattpad
@shappy
Why you should follow: Nightingale works across teams — from engineering to design — to make the Wattpad storyteller experience what it is. She’s also the co-editor of The Co-Pour, giving advice to all the startup managers who are figuring it out.
Nadia Hamilton, founder of Magnusmode
@Magnusmode
Why you should follow: While Hamilton doesn’t have Twitter, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow what Magnusmode is doing. Magnusmode develops apps that help adults living with autism become independent in their daily life by guiding them through tasks like shopping and cleaning.
Heather Anne Ritchie, co-founder of Repable
@HeatherAnne
Why you should follow: Named one of CIX’s top 20 startups in 2016, Repable provides analytics for entertainers in the video game industry. Ritchie has gone from a recovering publicist to a startup mentor in her own right.
Ashley Jane Lewis, programmer/diversity advocate
@AshleyJaneLewis
Why you should follow: Lewis spent a year leading development of Girls Learning Code, and has made diversity in tech education a key part of talks at forums like TEDx, FITC, and International Women’s Day.
Saadia Muzaffar, founder at TechGirls Canada
@ThisTechGirl
Why you should follow: TechGirls Canada supports women of colour, LGBTQ+, and Aboriginal women, and advocates for resources and public and private-sector partnerships on their behalf. Follow her if you love no-bullshit conversations around supporting marginalized people in tech.
Maayan Ziv, founder of AccessNow
@MaayanZiv
Why you should follow: AccessNow’s app allows users to pinpoint areas in their city that are accessible to people with disabilities, and Ziv, a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, is an outspoken advocate for creating a more accessible world.
Kylie Toh, founder of ChicGeek
@KylieToh
Why you should follow: Calgary-based Chic Geek is a non-profit that works to build a community for female entrepreneurs. In 2016, Toh represented Alberta in the prestigious International Visitors Leadership Program and was a voice for women in STEM on an international stage.
Shahrzad Rafati, founder and CEO of Broadband TV
@shahrzadrafati
Why you should follow: Rafiti is behind the largest multi-platform network in the world and was recognized as one of the 100 most creative people in business. She thought of the idea to help brands tackle the problem of piracy and turn it into a lucrative business opportunity.
Chakameh Shafii, founder and CEO of TranQool
@ChakamehShafii
Why you should follow: TranQool is a platform that makes accessing mental health services from licensed therapists easier and more affordable. In early February, TranQool donated 20 sessions for students at the University of Guelph after a high rate of suicides were reported.
Arlene Dickinson, CEO of Venture Communications
@ArleneDickinson
Why you should follow: The former Dragons’ Den star and Venture Communications CEO is on the way to closing her first fund, setting herself up to continue supporting Canada’s entrepreneur community.
Alyssa Atkins, marketing lead at CareGuide.com
@AlyssaAtkins
Why you should follow: A Next 36 alumni and leader of the marketing team at CareGuide, Atkins was key to launching HeartPayroll, the company’s payroll offering.
Sarah Stockdale, founder of Stockdale Consulting
@SkStock
Why you should follow: Following Tilt’s acquisition, Stockdale splits time between growth consulting and TEDx speeches. Follow for more feminism in your timeline.
Aisha Addo, founder of Power To Girls Foundation
@AishaAfua
Why you should follow: Power To Girls is a nonprofit that empowers Afro-diaspora girls in the GTA and across the world. Addo also developed the ridesharing Drive Her app, which connects women with female drivers.
Elena Yunusov, founder of Communicable
@communicable
Why you should follow: With experience as an editor at Yonge Street Media, StartUpHere, and BetaKit, Yunusov is in the know when it comes to Toronto’s startup scene. She also runs Communicable, a marketing agency specializing in startups.
Ria Lupton, founder of WomenWhoCodeTO, community manager at Rightsleeve
@RoastedKeyboard
Why you should follow:In addition to WomenWhoCodeTO, Lupton also organizes events like Startup Open House and Community Builders.
April Dunford, CEO at Sprintly
@aprildunford
Why you should follow: If you’ve ever seen Dunford speak at public events, she’s both hilarious, yet on-point when it comes to giving entrepreneurs advice on growing startups thanks to years of experience as a founder.
Emma Williams, director at Notman House
@emwilli
Why you should follow: Leading one of Montreal’s most popular startup hubs, Williams has a daily role developing the city’s startup ecosystem.
Avery Francis, director of people at Rangle.io
@AveryFrancis
Why you should follow: While the head of HR at Rangle, Francis is also outspoken about encouraging inclusion in all tech companies. Follow for conversations on combating bias in the workplace.
Eva Wong, COO of Borrowell
@eva_toronto
Why you should follow: Though she doesn’t come from a financial background, Wong is leading one of Toronto’s fast-growing FinTech startups. She’s also a frequent public speaker on behalf of the company thanks to Borrowell’s policy of not participating in all-male panels.
Heather Payne, CEO of HackerYou
@heatherpayne
Why you should follow: A co-founder of Ladies Learning Code, Payne’s reputation for fostering women in tech has followed her to her coding school, which enrolls 70 percent female students.
Eva Lau, co-founder of Two Small Fish Ventures
@MrsEvaLau
Why you should follow: Lau worked on Wattpad with husband Allen Lau since the beginning. Lau left the company in September 2013, and now supports early-stage internet companies in the Toronto and Waterloo region through Two Small Fish.
Malgosia Green, Chief Product Officer, TopHat
@HeyGosia
Why you should follow: Green leads product at one of Toronto’s fastest growing startups, which recently raised a $29.5 million Series C.
Vicki Saunders, founder of SheEO
@vickis
Why you should follow: Saunders’ SheEO works to get more funding for women-led companies, by asking 1,000 women to commit $1,000, which is pooled into a fund dedicated to investing in female entrepreneurs.
Nadya Khoja, director of marketing at Venngage
@NadyaKhoja
Why you should follow: Khoja started part-time at Venngage with a theatre and digital media background, and climbed up the ranks as marketing director. She now regularly speaks at conferences around the world on SEO.