Our Vision
As a part of our ongoing focus on STEM studies, IT Girls was created so that young female students who are interested in these fields have a structured extra-curricular program to explore and develop their interests and talents. We hope that this prepares them to have a competitive advantage in their academic and career interests and we want to start by targeting our 4th and 5th grade girls. This program is designed to guide them through project-based work, partner with businesses and involve guest speakers to provide insight, inspiration, and guidance, and to answer any questions the students may have on how these topics intersect.
Success for us would be to create more awareness and acceptance of females into STEM related careers, eventually making this topic a non-issue within our society. Our hope is that this and related programs are either not needed or we can offer it to students of all ages and genders.
Lasting Impact
Our initial launch of the IT Girls program began during the 2015-2016 school year. In 2022, a former IT Girl from the class of 2016 shared her testimonial of how IT Girls ignited a passion for her to delve into STEM topics. Today, this IT Girl graduate is studying computer science as a junior in high school. It is fantastic how the IT Girls Foundation has positively impacted girls' lives and future career paths years later!
School Program
As our world continues to evolve, the demand and need for technical skills and understanding becomes more and more important for members of society to be competitive in the marketplace and thrive as individuals.
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The focus on STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) disciplines in our education system help to address this growing trend. We owe it to all our students to provide access to opportunities for success and learning at an early age.
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Historically, there have been challenges in the number of women who participate in STEM related fields of study and employment due to a number of factors.
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We have an opportunity, Starting with Gwinnett County, to help improve on this phenomenon and create a program which will help distinguish schools and young ladies to provide a competitive advantage as they progress in their academic and eventual professional careers.
Program Benefit and Value
As our world continues to evolve, the demand and need for technical skills and understanding becomes more and more important for members of society to be competitive in the marketplace and thrive as individuals.
​
The focus on STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) disciplines in our education system help to address this growing trend. We owe it to all our students to provide access to opportunities for success and learning at an early age.
​
Historically, there have been challenges in the number of women who participate in STEM related fields of study and employment due to a number of factors.
​
We have an opportunity, Starting with Gwinnett County, to help improve on this phenomenon and create a program which will help distinguish schools and young ladies to provide a competitive advantage as they progress in their academic and eventual professional careers.
Commitment to DEI
Charitable Impact Statement
Board of Directors
Katie Tucker
Co-Founder, VP of Finance & Legal
Katie Tucker is an executive in the Atlanta technology community. Katie gives back to the community that she lives in through active volunteering. Katie is passionate about supporting females and founded IT Girls to provide young females with the coaching and foundation to be successful in school and in their careers with a focus on STEM.
Roxanne Seymour
President
Grant Shih
CEO & Founder
Grant Shih is a Senior Executive with a focus on technology. He was inspired by his daughter to found IT Girls to help bring STEM topics to her at an age when she and her peers were most receptive to candid messages. Grant believes this early education is key to evolving our world beyond the current challenges faced by women in STEM related careers.
Roxanne Seymour is a C-Suite executive with a long tenure in Information
Technology. She is passionate about mentoring young children and started
volunteering very early in her career. Roxanne's "why" for IT Girls is to
help girls understand STEM topics better and to grow passion around those
topics so they can understand that their futures are limitless.
Kelly Solomon
Board Member
Kelly Solomon is a seasoned Information Technology leader who actively contributes to her community. She is particularly dedicated to enhancing the learning and development opportunities for young people, nurturing their curiosity in IT. Kelly believes that early engagement, especially for girls, is crucial for fostering their future passion and success in the field.
Allison Shih
VP of Ambassador Program
Allison Shih is an accomplished and dynamic business leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and enabling high-performance teams in the competitive landscape of the technology industry. With an unwavering passion for results and commitment to excellence, she is a strategic visionary known for her ability to transform business and propel them to new heights.
As the Chief Revenue Officer at InterDev, Allison is at the forefront of the organization’s revenue strategy and execution. With an innate ability to identify opportunities and create innovative solutions, Shih is delivering outstanding results by optimizing revenue streams and increasing profitability. Prior to joining InterDev, Mrs. Shih served as the Head of Sales and Strategy at ImagineX Consulting and the Director of Sales and Strategy at Digital Realty.
Allison Shih actively blends her corporate career with a purpose-driven life. Shih serves on multiple non-profit Boards including Atlanta Technology Professionals, IT Girls Foundation, and New Hope Children’s Village. As a mother of 4 kids, you can also find Allison at various sporting activities either coaching on the field or cheering from the sidelines.
Allison has 18+ years of experience in the technology industry and holds a B.B.A Marketing degree from The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!
Ashley Russell
VP of Operations
Megna Sarma
Social Media & Communications Intern
Megna Sarma, a senior marketing major at UGA, is committed to fostering opportunities for young girls in areas where they are often overlooked. She is passionate about breaking down barriers and ensuring that all girls have the chance to explore and excel in STEM fields. This commitment is why she wholeheartedly supports IT Girls, whose mission is to empower and encourage young girls to pursue their interests in STEM, creating a more diverse and equitable future in these crucial industries.
Ashley Russell is passionate about job creation and educating the community about WOMEN and Girls in STEAM. She has been with Pyramid Consulting working as a Sales Leader for the last 6 years focusing on building relationships and on customer success. Ashley has been passionate about STEM for over 15 years. Along with volunteering with the IT Girls Foundation, she is also involved with WIT, InSpirEDU, ATP, and Techbridge. In her personal life, Ashley and her husband share their passion for movies and their two rowdy dogs, Hershey and Bandit.
Courtney Gillis
Board Member
As a working mom of two girls, I have spent my career navigating and succeeding in male-dominated industries. My journey has provided me with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities women face in these fields. In 2021, I began volunteering for the IT Girls Foundation, a decision that profoundly impacted me.
Living in Hall County, an area surrounded by large manufacturing companies, I recognized the crucial need for initiatives that empower young girls to pursue careers in STEM. Through my involvement with IT Girls, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of providing girls with the knowledge and confidence that they can excel in any field they choose, whether it be as an engineer, developer, scientist, etc!
I am passionate about bringing the IT Girls program to our local schools in Hall County, ensuring that every girl knows the sky is the limit. By fostering an environment of encouragement and support, we can inspire the next generation of female leaders and innovators.
