Meridian Social Innovation Smarter Leaders Fellowship Fellowship Spring Spring 2015 2015 Cohort Cohort Cristina Aranda Gutierrez Independent Communications and Marketing Consultant SF International Women Entrepeneurs Forum Madrid Liaison Madrid, Spain Mujeres en la Tecnología “Despierta tu talento; Sorprende al mundo” Promoting the presence of women in tech PROJECT SUMMARY Mujeres en la Tecnología aims to build on the existing efforts of organizations and institutions across Spain. Throughout her career in marketing and advertising, Cristina has developed a network of passionate supporters of women in tech, among them representatives of Spain’s tech startups, women’s entrepreneurship groups, major companies, and public institutions. Mujeres en la Tecnología is the product of this alliance among representatives of Spain’s Girls in Tech, Agile Girls, Makers Madrid, Madrid IoT, Betabeers, Tetuan Valley, Tech&Girls, and LesWorking. Currently in its research phase, Mujeres en la Tecnología is invested in understanding the situation of women in Spain’s IT sector, publicizing its findings, and developing a plan of action that will result in a concrete and measurable impact on high school and university students, unemployed young women and emerging entrepreneurs. Mujeres en la Tecnología will offer its programs and activities to these target populations by coordinating with local schools, government agencies and institutions. GOALS My principal goals are to empower women and young girls, giving them resources and training to improve their self-esteem and motivate them to do great things in the technology sector. Our programs will foment the presence of women in tech companies and the creation of startups by women entrepreneurs. We also have a special interest in filling the void in IT education that currently exists in Spain’s educational system. WHAT’S NEXT? With her research complete, Cristina hopes to begin programs in high schools and colleges this summer, in targeted regions of Spain. Activities and workshops for young girls and emerging women entrepreneurs will serve as a pilot program, the impact of which will be tracked and publicized on social media. Meridian Social Innovation Fellows are problem-solvers with high potential to create sustainable solutions for critical social and economic challenges facing their communities. In support of this potential, the fellowship will prepare leaders who embrace this kind of problem solving by providing a vehicle to implement social innovation projects. @cris_aranda_; @SFIWEF https://www.linkedin.com/in/ cristinaaranda We have truly managed to work as a team to empower women by providing training, networking, and especially selfesteem.