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!
July 2025
My name is Megan Shih and I am a rising sophomore at Clemson University. I’m an English major with a double minor in Equine Industries and Women’s Leadership. I was in the IT girls program when I was in 4th and 5th grade.
I have good memories of the IT Girl program. I had friends in the program and it was fun to hang out with them and do projects.
The most memorable moment from my IT Girls experience was getting to go to the CNN center in Atlanta. It was so fun to be able to take a field trip with a select group of girls and spend the day away from school. We got to get behind-the-scenes looks into what goes on in the world of CNN, which was something I would never have had the opportunity to do if I hadn’t been in IT Girls.
IT Girls helped show me that even if they weren’t my favorite, I could do STEM subjects. It helped build some confidence that I had been lacking in those areas by giving me hands on experience in a low stakes environment. It also showed me that there is so much room for women in the STEM world.
I learned how to think scientifically and mathematically and learned how to apply that to my schoolwork. I also learned how to work in teams with people.
It was fun to be able to come in to school early with my dad and see how the STEM world operates.
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 Gianguzzo
Co-Founder, VP of Finance & Legal
Katie Gianguzzo 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 & Co-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.
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
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.
Sugra Naqvi
Board Member
Sugra Naqvi is a results-driven technology executive and passionate STEM advocate who blends corporate leadership with community impact. As a volunteer and social media lead for IT Girls Foundation, she champions STEM education, hands-on learning, and mentorship to empower the next generation of innovators for young girls. Most recently, supporting STEM engagement at Level Creek Elementary in Suwanee. A proud mother and mentor, Sugra brings heart and hands-on leadership to inspiring the next generation of women in STEM. With over ten years of nonprofit service through TechBridge and Women in Technology (WIT), she remains committed to using technology as a force for equity, education, and empowerment. Her work reflects a deep belief in nurturing future leaders through visibility, mentorship, and real-world inspiration. When young girls see their future through you, it makes their STEM dreams become a STEM reality.
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.
Ai Okamoto
Board Member
Ai is a software engineer and systems architect who brings over a decade of experience in business operations, ERP systems, and process design, combined with deep technical expertise. After building her career across international business, manufacturing, and enterprise software, she transitioned into programming — driven by a passion for problem-solving, curiosity, and continuous learning.
Her passion lies in sharing the wonders of STEM with children. As a mother and lifelong learner, Ai believes early exposure to problem-solving, creativity, and technology can spark confidence and curiosity in young girls, helping them realize that their path into STEM can be as unique and joyful as their imagination allows.