Women Who Code Partners With Capital One to Open Local Richmond Network
Written by WWCode HQ
Global Nonprofit Works With Financial Leader to Support Next Generation of Tech Leadership
San Francisco, CA – September 14, 2016 — Women Who Code (WWCode), a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in technology, in partnership with Capital One, has announced the launch of a Network based out of Richmond, Virginia. This new Network will bring together leading tech professionals and the community to provide technical and leadership support. Women Who Code Richmond will lead a variety of events including hack nights, conferences, study groups, networking opportunities, and industry discussions.
The WWCode Richmond Network will be led by industry leaders and Network Directors, Michele Matthews and Briana Crabb, with critical launch support being provided by Renee Seaman. Network Director Michele Matthews, who is also Director of Software Engineering at Capital One, spoke about her motivations for leading Women Who Code’s presence in the area, saying, “When I started to attend Women Who Code events in DC with peers in that area, I was hooked on the excitement and energy being created by a large group of women engineers. I immediately wanted to bring that same dynamic to Richmond.”
On stage WWCode CEO Alaina Percival, WWCode VP of Business Development Jennifer Tacheff, and WWCode Richmond Director Michele Matthews
Capital One has been an important partner in helping bring Women Who Code to the Richmond area, providing both strategic and philanthropic leadership to the local Network and the overall organization. Jennifer Manry, Vice President of Technology at Capital One and Women Who Code Board Member shared, “Capital One is proud to be a founding sponsor of Women Who Code because we believe that their efforts are so important to the success of women technologists. We’re excited to bring a new Network to the Richmond area as a part of our continued commitment to supporting women in tech within our company and the community.”
Richmond is the first Network to launch in Women Who Code’s cohort system, which will batch new cities together into launch groups that will then work towards common goals in each of their locations. Joey Rosenberg, the Global Leadership Director for WWCode said, “Richmond is the perfect flagship for our first cohort. The Directors are passionate, the community is engaged, and they have valuable corporate support from Capital One. I believe they will be a great prototype for the entire practice.”
Women Who Code Richmond Network Director Briana Crabb, who is also a Software Engineer at Capital One, described her feelings about the launch, “I have experienced first-hand how having a supportive and inclusive group that I can connect with has inspired me to stay within the technology field, and I’m excited to lead a group that will replicate that for others in my community. I can't wait to bring my passion for diversity and technology to the Women Who Code Richmond Network!”
Rendition of computer scientist Margaret Hamilton presented to WWCode. Image by Ed Trask.
About Women Who Code
Women Who Code (WWCode) is an international nonprofit dedicated to inspiring women to excel in technology careers. WWCode is building a world where women are proportionally representative as technical leaders, executives, founders, VCs, board members and software engineers. The organization has executed more than 4,200 free events around the world, garnered a membership exceeding 80,000, and has a presence in 20 countries. Help empower even more women to advance in tech with the training and community they need to succeed by supporting WWCode. Learn more at womenwhocode.com.