Women in Tech: A Panel Discussion
Join us for an engaging conversation as we explore the challenges and opportunities faced by women in Edmonton's tech industry. Our panel of women leaders will share their unique journeys, insights, and strategies for fostering growth and diversity in the tech space. Whether you're in tech, aspiring to enter the field, or an advocate for equity, this discussion offers valuable perspectives and inspiration for all.
Our panelists include:
Asha Elizabeth Gupta, Director of Product at Jobber.
Tammy Valgardson, Software Development Manager at Dotdash Meredith.
Sophia Hoosein, Director of eHealth Strategy and Governance with the Government of Alberta.
Mahtab Farrokh, Machine Learning Resident with Amii.
The event will be moderated by Kayla Baretta, Managing Director of Paper Leaf.
Refreshments and snacks will be served. After the event, we'll give tours of the ZGM office for those interested. You can view parking in the area here.
Panelist Bios:
Tammy Valgardson has dedicated two decades to the tech industry and is currently a software development manager leading a team at Dotdash Meredith through AI-focused projects. She is passionate about increasing digital literacy and advocating for women in tech. Outside of her professional work, she channels her creativity into sticker design and digital illustration. She blends her love for technology and art in everything she does.
Mahtab Farrokh is a Machine Learning Resident at Amii. She has worked on several machine learning applications in healthcare, including as an AI Developer with the startup Tebinja, and in a research position at the University of Alberta. Mahtab earned her Master’s degree in Computing Science from the University of Alberta, where she was supervised by Russ Greiner. Her research focused on medical imaging and cancer prognosis.
Sophia Hoosein is the Director of eHealth Strategy and Governance for the Government of Alberta, where she leads the development and management of Alberta's Provincial eHealth Strategy. Previously, she was the MyHealth Records Manager, overseeing communications, implementation, privacy, and user experience. Sophia has also worked with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a Lead Content Strategist, building user-centered design capacity.
She holds a Master of Arts in Humanities Computing, a Master of Library and Information Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta. Passionate about digital health, Sophia serves on the boards of Digital Health Canada and Alberta Network for Health Information Exchange (ANHIX).
Asha Elizabeth Gupta has over 15 years of experience in the tech industry, spanning roles from software developer to designer to product manager. She is currently the Director of Product at Jobber after finding her home in product. Her passion lies in understanding user needs to build smart, effective solutions, and she enjoys mentoring and building teams.
With a background in math and neuroscience, Asha transitioned into tech by teaching herself to code to land her first tech job. She has since worked for companies like Etsy, Squarespace, and Venmo in New York. Now based in her hometown of Edmonton, she spends her free time exploring hobbies. Her current favorites being watercolor painting and sewing.
Kayla Baretta has over 12 years of experience in the tech industry, leading projects, product development, and teams within the agency space. In her current role as Managing Director at Paper Leaf, she oversees company operations, business development, and the strategic direction of the company.
Kayla is passionate about mentorship, developing leaders, and working toward a more equitable future, both online and offline. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the garden with her daughter and engaging in a variety of nerdy activities.