MEET THE TECH WOMEN IN SIERRA LEONE – COHORT 2018

Technology firms led by women experience a 35% higher return on investment than those led by men, according to a paper by the venture capitalist firm Illuminate Ventures.

This report shows that it’s actually more beneficial for companies to hire women who have a tech- base than their male counterparts. If Africa is to become competitive as an emerging economy, we must lay more emphasis on fields related to technology. Raising our girls to become tech-savvy and interested in venturing into careers that are focused on STEM subjects.

Team SL having a relaxing time in the San Francisco Bay Area

This is why the Tech women program organized by the U.S Department of State brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics(STEM) from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East  together with their counterparts in the united states for a professional mentorship and exchange program. Ariana Diaries is proud to introduce to you the Tech Women representing Sierra Leone for the 2018 Cohort. These women are currently in the United States waving our flag higher and inspiring young girls in their home country Sierra Leone.

Team SL at the Action Plan Workshop 1 hosted at Synopsys

The Team has one unifying message; Technology is a girl’s best friend.

 

 

Meet Tech Woman: Sebay Momoh

Sebay Janet Momoh is extremely versatile and dynamic, with a thirst for knowledge in all areas especially within the Engineering discipline. She considers herself a free thinker who has the ability to coordinate human and other resources with the sole aim of achieving organizational goals. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Having worked in a private construction firm for a while, Sebay moved into the Petroleum Engineering industry and currently holds a Master of Science with Distinction in Petroleum and Environmental Technology from Coventry University, United Kingdom. She works as a Petroleum Engineer at Petroleum Directorate, which is the authority responsible for regulating the upstream oil and gas sector in Sierra Leone.

She is a registered member of the Society for Petroleum Engineers and she holds professional certificates from different international trainings on Petroleum Engineering practices.

Sebay serves as the Programme Coordinator for STEM Women SL, an organization which aims to improve science education and increase the percentage of women in the STEM Workforce in Sierra Leone.

 

Meet Tech Woman: Marian Conteh

Marian Conteh is a focused and committed individual with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships and influence at all levels. She is an expert on information technology (IT) and has demonstrated adaptability and design skills. Marian is a self-starter who prides herself on being able to master new concepts, ideas and practices. She graduated from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) at the University of Sierra Leone with a master’s degree in development management, a bachelor’s degree in information systems with honors and a diploma in data processing. Currently, Marian is an IT Manager at the National Telecommunications Commission and is in charge of implementing the Commission’s IT strategy, as well as participating in the installation, configuring and upgrading of computers, operating systems and applications. Additionally, she oversees the overall management of the Commission’s website, network and database, and prepares the annual IT budget.

 

Meet Tech Woman: Ernestine Dada Johnson

Ernestine Dada Johnson is currently a Superintendent of Police at the Sierra Leone Police Department and is a graduate of biological sciences from University of Sierra Leone, a diploma in forensic science from Ashworth University, in Atlanta and presently attached at the Transnational Crime Unit (TOCU). She has seven years’ working experience analyzing narcotic substances and pharmaceutical drugs for the Sierra Leone Police. Due to her extensive experience and expertise, Ernestine has been called on numerous occasions to present her findings in courts of law, and she has been part of police prosecution teams in cases involving illegal possession of narcotic drugs and their abuse. Ernestine has participated in many international and domestic trainings on leadership, drugs and precursor identification, investigation and trafficking. She aims to upgrade her skills in leadership and forensic toxicology for effective detection of narcotics and fake pharmaceutical products in addition, Ernestine is passionate about gender equality and wishes to impact and empower girls in the STEM fields.

 

Meet TechWoman: Bernadette Kargbo

Bernadette Kargbo is a civil engineer with a master’s degree in oil and gas management. She started working at the Sierra Leone Water Company in 2011 as a civil engineer and was promoted to a station manager in 2015. As a station manager, Bernadette is responsible for the overall supervision, operations, leadership and management of her station. She supervised the construction of over 200 solar powered boreholes in Sierra Leone, with each borehole providing water for 1,500 to 2,000 people. Bernadette is one of three female engineers certified as a geographic information system data administrator for the Salone Groundwater Resources Database. She is a member of the Sierra Leone Women Engineers, working with a team of female engineers mandated to mentor and encourage girls in STEM. Bernadette is aspiring to become the first female director in her company and make technical decisions that will affect Sierra Leone positively.

 

Meet Techwoman: Davephine Tholley

Davephine Tholley works with the Sierra Leone Water Company. She is a Graduate member of the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers. With her passion and love for the arts, she co-founded Afere SL, a Non-profit movement using the creative arts and media in various forms to tackle critical issues affecting society and bring about social change. As an aspiring writer, she is part of the Sierra Leone Writers Series where she has access to mentors who serve as an inspiration and motivation to her. She has been involved in the education, nurturing and protection of young girls and women, as a member of national and international organizations. Hence, she was recognized in June 2015 as one of Africa’s Most Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders by the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa. Demonstrating entrepreneurship potential, she was selected from an outstanding pool of applicants to participate in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Global Entrepreneurship boot camp in March2017. As pastime; Davephine enjoys reading a good book, watching an exciting movie, hiking, listening good music, swimming, writing, painting, doing “Do it yourself “art & crafts and singing in her church choir. She is a young Sierra Leonean, Civil Engineer and aspiring entrepreneur with the relentless drive to effect change, willingness to lead and commitment to serve.

 

 

Please Contact Tech Women for more details on the programme

TechWomen is an Initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

 

Written by: arianadiaries

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