Former FBI Intelligence Agent Uncovers Scotland’s First Female IT Network
First ever IT social network for Scottish Women. Launch of new business support group in Aberdeen and Charity Fundraising Event.
New and innovative networking group for Aberdeen women with an interest in technology and IT takes off in style at the Enterprise Business Centre, Poynernook Road on the 19th March and the proceeds raised go to Breast Cancer Care.
There are other formal forums through which people can meet other people in business – business breakfasts, chamber of commerce and other formal networking functions but there are no informal events in Aberdeen, or indeed Scotland where like-minded women who share a passion for IT and technology can get together.
Frustrated at the lack of support specifically for women who work in IT or New Media, Sheryl Newman and Morag Duncan two ‘girly geeks’ from Easthaven decided to set up the Aberdeen Girl Geek Dinner event. Sharing an enthusiasm for IT is not the girls’ only passion, funds raised by the event will go to benefit Breast Cancer Care. Supporting charity is something the team believe in, but supporting this charity in particularly is close to our hearts as the effects of breast cancer have affected many of the teams close family members. If Easthaven’s plan works, North East Cancer sufferers and ‘girl’ technology geeks could benefit as a result of an innovative kind of technology event! .
Aberdeen Girl Geek Dinners is borne out of a concept originally launched in London in 2005, by Sarah Blow. This event co-ordinated by Easthaven Group is the first to launch in Scotland. Whilst the forum is essentially designed for women, men are most welcome; the only condition is that they accompany a ‘girly geek’.
“Our aim is to help support and encourage women in our industry. We hope this forum will be a step in the right direction, offering support not only to women currently working within the industry but entice future generations of girl geeks by convincing them that careers in technology is a great career option”, says Sheryl Newman, Director of Easthaven Group.
Social networking for likeminded individuals builds successful relationships and recent research on ‘Women’s Development’, carried out by ‘The Robert Gordon University’ stated that “networking has been identified as a key tool to assist women in developing their careers”. The report also acknowledged that “a number of real business benefits were identified in these schemes, such as; feedback on business matters, increased confidence and improved problem solving, areas which will support both business and employee development.”
The first event is scheduled for Thursday the 19th March and will be held at the Enterprise Business Centre, Poynernook Road, Aberdeen. We are pleased to have secured two passionate and entertaining speakers to get the pioneering meet off to a great start, Ed Gibson, Head of Cyber Security, Microsoft and Rosie O’Hara, NLP Highland.
Our members are in for a real treat at the first meeting as Ed Gibson is a celebrated speaker. Ed’s knowledge and experience was gained through a 20-year career as a Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He specialized in investigating economic espionage, complex money laundering and fraud schemes, and intellectual property theft. His focus on how criminals exploit the Internet and his investigative abilities have made him an ideal figurehead for Microsoft's efforts in secure computing. Before his appointment to the FBI, Mr Gibson served for 5-years as a Lawyer for a multi-national corporation based in the U.S. He is a qualified Solicitor in England and Wales, and completed a 2-year ‘computing’ program course at Oxford University. Since taking on his role with Microsoft UK, Ed has lectured widely on worldwide cyber-threats and Internet crime, social networks, and e-business & risk management. As Internet crime, in the UK, is now feared more than burglary, mugging or car theft, Ed’s expertise and ability as a gifted speaker are even more appreciated by Easthaven who are delighted to have him onboard.
The audience will be equally excited by the evenings other speaker Rosie O’Hara. Rosie a published author is passionate about her topic, NLP, (Neuro Linguistic Programming – the Art and Science of generating alterative and better behaviours)
NLP can be used to aid the generation of alternative behaviours, enabling people to understand themselves and others. Rosie considers the biggest challenge facing organisations today is communication, particularly large organisations, this along with the dependency on technology and the desire for diverse workforces, means that effective communication is needed more than ever and Rosie believes that NLP can truly assist.
This experience is all about connection, community, fun and supporting women, so find out more about this event log on to our website http://www.aberdeengirlgeekdinners.co.uk or by contacting Morag Duncan, morag@easthavengroup.com telephone 01224 289772 or 07825757222.