Weston Champions Women in Tech with the TechWomen Initiative

West Chester, PA — Weston Solutions, Inc. (Weston) is excited to announce our sponsorship and participation in the TechWomen Program for a second year (www.techwomen.org). This inspiring initiative connects seasoned professionals in the tech industry with female emerging leaders from 21 countries across Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

From September 18 through October 13, we are providing professional mentoring to three remarkable women: Munara Modobaeva from Kyrgyzstan, who holds a Master's degree in environmental engineering and a Bachelor's degree in information technology; Lisa Tinotenda Muchemwa from Zimbabwe, who has a Master's degree in renewable energy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering; and Winfred "Moira" Johnson-Williams from Sierra Leone, who earned a Bachelor's degree in mechanical and maintenance engineering.

This program, managed by the Institute of International Education on behalf of the U.S. State Department, aims to empower these emerging leaders to make a positive impact in their communities, promote cultural exchange and person-to-person diplomacy, and support collaboration among women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

During the 5-week mentorship program, the 100 emerging leaders (selected from more than 6,000 applicants) experience onboarding training, mentorship in either Chicago or San Francisco, and then visit Washington DC.

For the program, emerging leaders are supported by three types of mentors: Professional Mentors, who provide insights on the technical aspects aligned with each participant's interest and provide guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing; Cultural Mentors, who facilitate a cultural exchange and immersion experience; and Impact Coaches, who help the individuals identify a socioeconomic issue and develop a plan to address it. Toward the end of their visit, they pitch their solution to a panel of judges from TechWomen partner companies and other qualified evaluators and vie for seed funding to implement it once they return to their home country.

Professional Mentor and Weston Sales Director Leslie Lassi is working with recently-retired Westonite Pixie Newman, a Senior Environmental Strategist that served as a TechWomen Professional Mentor last year. Pixie shared, "It was an honor and a privilege to work with these very capable and talented emerging leaders, other mentors, and the TechWomen Program staff! The emerging leaders created amazing impact projects for implementation upon their return home. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable and contagious."

The TechWomen Program provides the participant's exposure to innovative tech ecosystems across the U.S. It also serves as a vital force in advancing gender diversity in STEM by providing women with the mentorship and resources they need to excel in their careers. In support of Weston's own commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the three emerging leaders spend time with the Weston Women's Network (WWN) and the Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Councils, sharing mutual experiences and ideas for nurturing greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.

"The strong, capable, and energized emerging leaders we are working with have so much good to share with the world," said Leslie Lassi, a member of the Weston Women's Network Council as well as TechWomen Professional Mentor. "The open exchange of ideas and culture has been profoundly inspirational and gives me a lot of hope about our collective future."

About Weston Solutions

Weston Solutions is a U.S.-based, 100% employee-owned environmental and infrastructure services firm committed to safety and client value, driven to be our clients' most effective and efficient service provider. For over 65 years, we have solved our clients' challenges with a passion to serve and a drive to make a difference.