Nashville’s leading ladies in tech discussed how technology can be used for societal betterment at the Girl Geek Dinner Wednesday night in Shamblin Theater.
The event, sponsored by local company Digital Reasoning, addressed causes evolving in the technological world, steps that can be taken to help the causes and the ethical use of hacking. Panelists included Holly Gardner, Sarah Brown, Katy Campen and Amber Adams.
Digital Reasoning CEO Tim Estes opened the night with Nashville’s recent progress and overall growth, and emphasized the importance of perseverance.
“You preserver because you believe you can do something,” Estes said.
The panel kicked off the discussion with Kiva, a non-profit organization that allows individuals to make microloans in order to start or expand businesses, afford school, build a house or similar causes.
According to Gardner, a Digital Reasoning research engineer, lenders typically receive at least a 90 percent repayment of their loans.
Education and community were also strong topics of discussion.
Campen told of her experiences working as an 100 Girls of Code instructor. 100 Girls of Code is a program which conducts workshops across Tennessee in order to raise awareness among girls ages 12 to 18 about a career in computer science. The program is currently touring eight states in the Southeast and will be opening a Nashville chapter next month.
For older members and students of the computer engineering community, developer meetings provide the opportunity for networking and outreach.
“I’m hoping to make some sort of connection,” sophomore Brianna Choy said.
The dinner provided Choy with the opportunity to meet women in the computing field, as she is the only female software engineering major in her year.
“I have three classes where I’m the only girl,” Choy said.
According to 100 Girls of Code, only 12 percent of computer science and engineering majors are women.
The College of Computing and Technology Enrollment Manager Finn Breland mentioned the growth of women in the field.
“We practically did jumping jacks when we got 25 percent,” Breland said.
The college offers nine undergraduate majors and three masters programs.