Vancouver Tech Women to Watch in 2008
Techvibes posted a year-starting list of Vancouver tech-industry insiders to watch in 2008 - from those whose wild ideas are finally coming to fruition to others whose ship is coasting gently into port ~ if you catch my meaning.
The whole Raincity Studios clan was pleased to see three of us on the list of 10. The compact team of Scales and me (Dave calls us the Jagger and Richards of tech) share a slot and uber-evangelist Boris Mann gets his own line to stir up commotion about whats happening in his skunk-works. Thanks to Rob and the crew for the kind nods.
The list also includes many RCS pals plus some more folks we'd like to see more of around here for a bar-b-q of meet-up/camp of some kind (or stop by for a beverage and a podcast with Dave like Pacific IT's Robert Sanzalone did last week).
Glaringly missing from the list however was a mention of a single woman on the list of all gents. Are the women judged differently? Are there no techie women doing exemplary work in Vangroovy? Are there women working in tech who are more deserving of placement then the fellas populating the list?
These are big questions i daren't tackle here but suffice to say, {old man voice} I've been around this industry long enough to know that ... {/old man voice} collaboration with smart, inspired women increases the range of thought when making strategic decisions particularly on (in my experience) within information and communication focused-projects. Especially contrasted with the (ugh) prototypical "dude-fest" atmosphere of some tech companies, I find when women are involved, the conversation get better and the quality of work ultimately increases.
Along with the women we work with who have incredible communication skills (who'd have thunk it? ;-)), there are women working in Vancouver with the coding chops to roll with anyone and (like their geekboy counterparts) are passionate, informed and enthused about the nuances of code and the politics of open source.
So before I put my foot in my mouth ;-), here are our humble suggestions for some techie women we're watching and, of course, we'd love to hear your additions.
Vancouver Tech Women to Watch in 2008Alexandra Samuel - The hactivism PhD at Social Signal is strategically planning award winning for some big clients and spurning positive global change while doing it.
Susannah Gardner - Author of several "Dummies" books, she's a journalist, artist and writer, who also makes websites for Hop Studios and and regularly appears on Lab with Leo.
Megan Cole - Our old pal has grown into a "new media" public relations wiz as well as brewing up all sorts of social media across Canada and scored great exposure for Kinzin's Are you Normal app.
Lynda Brown - Recently handed over the reigns of New Media BC, she is now jumping into the burgeoning Vancouver start-up scene she helped nurture - with her savvy and connections, look for something special to emerge.
Sarah Pullman - This social activist just moved back to Vancouver, she's the Yoga for Geeks woman, part of the Web of Change movement, and a web community ringleader now working with the consciousness focused Communicopia.
Karen Fung - An up and coming community activist, this SFU communications major whipped up Vancouver's first TransitCamp to great public response and is researching ways to get Internet to remote BC communities
Linda Bustos - Now blogging about emerging tech for ecommerce software makers Elastic Path, she's an SEO pro and social media evangelist consistently sharing knowledge at camps and meet-ups.
Julie Szabo - Despite living in Malta, and now Morocco, she still basically works in Techcouver, and (along with 'the blogfather'), is setting a new high standard for public and media outreach. Check out her new book on Social Media and Online Marketing.
Rebecca Bollwitt - Podcaster, hyper-local blogger, new media outreach wiz, mainstream media pundit ~ Vancouver's new 'blogebrity,' Miss604 now uses her skills professionally to the great benefit of e-Xact Transactions.
Lauren Wood - An organizer of Northern Voice, member of the W3C Advisory Board and standards standard-bearer, with her solid tech chops Lauren now focuses on identity management projects Sun Microsystems.
Rochelle Grayson - With experience ranging from TV/radio production to software promotion to financial planning, she's using her business development moxie her moxie now at Donat Group.
Hey thanks for the mention
Hey thanks for the mention :-) Looking forward to meeting more of the above.
aw schucks!
*flattered*
thanks for being so supportive and welcoming of Vangroovy's web community!
Thanks!
You guys rock, what a great list - I'm honored to be mentioned among all these great women (hopefully I'll get to meet them all one day!)
Big ups to Romina Wendell as well
Romina's comment to KK (via Facebook) about the lack of women really kicked the list project making into gear.
~~
DaveO
Evangelizing Raincity Studios to the community
The problem with lists ...
The problem with lists is remembering all the people you forgot!
Several of us came in to the office this morning "I can't believe we forgot {insert notable woman's name here}!"
So, here are a few more we are watching:
Monique Trottier - Lit enthusiast knows the book publishing biz and how to speak to "non-internet-centric" groups ~ now working to revolutionize advertising as a partner in iWork Industries.
Maura Rodgers - ISP veteran, marketing maven, serial networker, and culinary ringer now building the mysterious Strutta and promoting the absurdly successful Launchparty work/party series.
Also ... hat-tips to the geekified women toiling here at Raincity Studios - don't think we aren't paying attention to you too ;-).
There are women to note so comment below to spread the word.
DaveO ~~ Evangelizing Raincity Studios to the world
Vangroovy Tech List
Thanks for the add-on!
This is a great way to start 2008. Good job posting this list.
Maura
Like to nominate Maura Rodgers
She almost single handedly organized Launch Party, and is kicking ass as a Founder and VP marketing at Strutta.
She can be found here:
http://www.strutta.com/about
and here:
http://www.launchpartyhq.com
i shall keep a close eye on
i shall keep a close eye on myself.
thanks for creating this list, you guys. i forget sometimes how few women there are in tech, and how few are actually regarded as being "of note." it's nice to be in such great company here.
Thanks!
Thanks, Kris! I'm truly flattered...maybe we need to arrange a gathering (aka Party) of the Vangroovy Tech Women...if we're there, you KNOW the men will follow ;-)
Ladies...when would be a good time?
Thanks again and I, too, look forward to meeting the others on the list, as well as all the other AWESOME local women who are equally deserving!
What great company to be in!
Thanks so much for the props, kk -- I'm really honored to be included in such a great group of women. Want to take a group photo? We'll supply the crantinis.
Thanks for including me!
Thanks for including me! I'm flattered, and I'd be thrilled to get together with other women techies.
Hats off to these women...
We live in an amazing city. I've lived/worked in Boston, MA and Palo Alto, CA (Silicon Valley) and I have never experienced a tech community as supportive as Vancouver. Really - you rock (and you can party! woot.). It's not about ME, ME, ME here. It's about - how can we kick ass together? And we are! I've met many of the women on this list and am looking forward to meeting the rest of you soon Perhaps @ LPV3?
Thanks Dave and Dan for the addition.
Thanks!
The Van tech community is a great one to be a part of, as this post illustrates! Thanks for including me on the list and especially for writing such a thoughtful post.
wow
I was somewhat stunned to see myself on this list – but what a welcome back to Vancouver! Thanks guys. :)
Here's to building community!
I didn't really do anything
I didn't really do anything monumental this year, but I think 2008 is gonna be rad, so hopefully I'll make the cut next time! :-)
You missed one!
sure, she's flying under the radar right now, but Angela over at Dabbler.ca is doing something no one else in BC is: She's publishing what could almost be a TV show all by herself on her blog. It's too bad the blogging community is so introverted it doesn't notice when someone from the "outside" comes along with something worth watching. This blog is the new shit!
http://www.dabbler.ca
just my two c
josh
phew
Finally! Thank-you Krug (and all other supporters), for instigating a list such as this one - it's long overdue! It's nice to have met most of the other women listed here; all intelligent, inspiring professionals, and looking forward to adding more to it.... this was really good of you to think of doing. And your comments about what women bring to tech events are stellar. And true :)
(small favour: can you link me up as dot org (not net) on my url please? danke!)
Love the new "open" feel and look to the site - Looking forward to hanging out with the much larger Raincity Explosion in 2008!
Catching up
Well this "Award" list has taken on a life of its own! A photo shoot is brewing and additional nominations flowing in .. a couple of notes to of followup.
@ Josh - i am now subscribed to Dabbler.ca and looks great. You and Angela are hereby invited to fly above the radar and get to know your classmates around town. I am a bit confused about your comment "blogging community is so introverted it doesn't notice when someone from the "outside" comes along with something worth watching" - me and everyone i know is constantly looking for new content to enjoy from Vancouver and anywhere else and 'round here, everyone is pretty friendly to new peeps making cool social media - i know i am
@ Arianne - you are doing some awesome stuff and are a key participant at what seems like every techie event going on - we are watching you too (but needed to save some women for next year's list)
@ Sarah - yes Welcome Back! now start teaching us geeks more yoga please ;-)
@ Maura - thanks for helping us take this to the next level and kudos for your professionalism and savvy, you are a great addition to our town
@ Meg - yeehaw, change made
@ everyone - thanks for chiming in and keep the suggestions and good vibes rolling in
Photo Shoot
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to follow-up on Dave O's comment about a photo shoot brewing. This is true. I have been in touch with a few of you already (and Dave may have too). Here's what's cooking:
LPV 3 (http://www.launchpartyhq.com) is on January 25 at the Lamplighter on Water Street in Gastown. Considering there was talk in this thread about getting together, I thought LPV3 might work out to gather all the ladies on this list (and gents on the Techvibes list) for a little photo op @ the Lamplighter around 5pm before the doors open at 5:30pm. Local technology blogger and photographer, Duane Storey (http://duanestorey.com) has agreed to come by and snap a shot or two of the group.
Email me if you can make it: maura@strutta.com
Looking forward to meeting you all.