✨CodeDiversity✨ by TechTank & 7shifts
✨CodeDiversity✨ is an ongoing event series centering women and non‑binary people in tech. For Toronto Tech Week 2025, we’re hosting an experience that blends reflection, learning, and connection — uplifting under‑represented voices while building community. We aim to provide meaningful takeaways and foster new relationships through parallel sessions including talks, workshops, and a panel discussion.
Expect:
• 🎤 Voices that resonate — lightning talks and a candid panel highlighting under‑represented leaders who are reshaping tech.
• 🌱 Hands‑on growth — bite‑sized workshops and interactive exercises designed to turn insights into action.
• 🤝 Genuine connection — plenty of unstructured mingle time, delicious bites, and a relaxed, judgment‑free vibe.
Schedule:
6:00–6:45 PM – Arrival, food & networking
→ Grab snacks, settle in, and sign up for 2 out of 4 available sessions
6:45–7:30 PM – Session 1
7:30–7:45 PM – Break
7:45–8:30 PM – Session 2
8:30–9:15 PM – Closing & more networking
Choose one session per time slot (mix & match across rooms!):
🕕 6:45–7:30 PM
• A Brief History of Women & Non-Binary Folks in Tech — presented by Thannia Blanchet, a dynamic talk celebrating overlooked contributions
• Goal-Setting Workshop — A reflective writing session focused on personal and professional growth
🕖 7:45–8:30 PM
• Panel + Q&A — Honest conversations and practical advice from diverse voices in tech, led by Chris Taeyoung Kim, with panelists Martina Rauert, Lily Leung, and Beatrice Yu.
• Your Story, Your Pitch — A guided activity to help you craft a memorable, authentic elevator pitch
Whether you’re new to the industry or ten years in, you’ll leave with fresh perspectives, concrete next steps, and a network that has your back. Final agenda and speaker lineup to drop soon. ⏳Capacity is limited to 60 seats, so reserve yours now!
Important Notes for RSVPs
To help us manage space and foster an inclusive environment, please review the following:
This is a space created to support people who are underrepresented in tech. We ask cisgender men (men who were assigned male at birth and identify as male) to respect this and not attend.
To manage limited space, we track no-shows for all Code Diversity events. If you RSVP and miss two events, you’ll be waitlisted for future events. Please update your RSVP at least 24 hours in advance if you can’t attend.
Photography & Video Disclaimer: By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken. These may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, websites, and other marketing materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event organizer upon arrival.
Organized by TechTank
Let’s continue fostering diversity, inclusion, and innovation in tech—this month and beyond!
Join our vibrant community for the latest updates and continued discussions:
We are officially part of Toronto Tech Week 2025, a weeklong citywide collection of events to connect and celebrate the builders. June 23 → June 27, 2025 | torontotechweek.com.
Meet the Speakers
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Talk: A Brief History of Women & Non-Binary Folks in Tech
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Thannia Blanchet (she/her)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thannia-blanchet
Thannia is a Front-End Engineer with over 10 years of experience, mostly in the travel industry. Passionate about both technology and social issues, she has been a speaker in several events in Mexico (Django Girls, NearsoftCon, Hacker House, Talent Land) before moving to Canada and joining TechTank, where she is very happy to be part of the conversation.
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Panel: Honest Conversations on Navigating led by Chris Taeyoung Kim
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Martina Rauert (she/her)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-rauert-50628234/
Martina Rauert is a Mobile Staff Software Engineer at 7shifts, bringing over 10 years of engineering experience. She excels in fostering alignment and coordination across the organization. Guided by her mantra, “Have the confidence to be wrong,” Martina promotes a culture of humility and continuous learning. She leads by example, and encourages teams to own their ideas and take charge of their growth through collaboration and experimentation. Martina is dedicated to finding the best solutions for complex problems while prioritizing the needs of end users without sacrificing quality.
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Lily Leung (she/her)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-leung-a087189a/
Lily is a seasoned software engineer with over 5 years of experience in full-stack development and 3-D computer graphics. She is currently a Senior Software Engineer at Leap Tools, where she has designed, implemented and launched numerous features and products, and seen the company grow from a small startup to a mid-sized company of over 300 people - not to mention, seen herself grow from an entry-level junior developer, to a senior engineer and leader.
As a transgender woman who has only recently begun her transition, and who has transitioned while on the job at her current employer, Lily offers a very unique perspective on diversity in tech - having had extensive experience in the highly male-dominated industry both before and after her transition. Having discovered a passion for leadership and advocacy for the rights of ethnic and gender minorities in tech, Lily strives to make tech safer and more equitable for under-recognized people while creating a culture of communication, sustainability and inclusiveness, both within and outside of her organization.
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Beatrice Yu (she/her)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-yu/
Beatrice Yu is a seasoned web engineer with over a decade of experience spanning web design, front-end and back-end development, and automated direct-to-customer marketing. She builds scalable, secure, and high-performance web applications that power data-driven, omnichannel customer experiences. Her expertise spans systems architecture, API integration, CI/CD pipelines, and performance optimization, with a strong focus on aligning technical execution with strategic marketing goals.
Currently Lead Web Developer at Docebo, she brings a well-rounded, hands-on approach shaped by diverse experience in agencies and multinational enterprises across industries. A recent immigrant from the Philippines, she offers a unique perspective as a female BIPOC professional committed to fostering greater diversity and representation within the tech industry through both her work and mentorship.