In March 2023, Girls Leadership Academy Meetup and London Stock Exchange Group WINTech (Women Inspire Network) co-sponsored an engaging, online, two-hour program for girls aged 8 to 12. Over 40 LSEG volunteers and GLAM staff supported an International Women’s Day Coding Event for several dozens of girls from 13 different countries! This unique program focused on the International Women’s Day theme of 'embracing equity', as well as cybersecurity, financial education, and computer coding.
During Part One, girls learned some background information about GLAM, LSEG, and International Women’s Day. GLAM co-hosts Stephanie Luna Lopez and Apoorva Panidapu talked about the full GLAM STEAM and Leadership Program. They shared their top three Superpowers and encouraged the girls to take the anonymous, fun GLAM Superpower Survey for Girls. Apoorva also gave a brief overview of the global history of women’s rights. She explained that, although IWD is a time to celebrate the achievement of women, it’s also important to recognize the areas where there’s still unfairness toward women and the need for action!
The girls also heard from two inspiring Keynote Speakers from LSEG during Part One! Sandra Lee, Chief Information Security Officer of Cybersecurity at LSEG, shared her unique journey into leadership and finance. Sandra revealed her top three Superpowers that she learned from completing the GLAM Superpower Survey for Women and how she uses them in her role at LSEG. Sandra also explained some obstacles she has overcome and the strategies she used to do so. There was a brief Q&A session following Sandra’s presentation where girls asked insightful, thoughtful questions.
Sandra Lee, Chief Information Security Officer of Cybersecurity at LSEG
Keynote Triona O’Keeffe, Chief Information Officer of Data and Analytics at LSEG, explained what International Women’s Day means to her and the importance of making a positive difference for women. Triona also told us about one of her inspirational female role models - a childhood friend named Sinead. She also explained the importance of ‘financial literacy’ and shared some key concepts and LSEG resources. Triona encouraged the girls to begin building their financial base through saving. Who knows what their first purchases will be with their savings - a book like Girl Elevated by Ramita Anand, a piece of Apoorva’s empowering IWD artwork, or maybe some company stock?!
Triona O’Keeffe, Chief Information Officer of Data and Analytics at LSEG
Part Two was an AMAZE-ING, interactive coding session! Five leveled workshops for Beginners and Intermediates took place simultaneously online. Using the Scratch coding language, LSEG coding leads and co-leads brought girls through a GLAM-authored curriculum. Coding assistants from LSEG also provided group and individual support in virtual breakout rooms. The positive feedback from both the girls and the LSEG volunteers was incredible! Of the post-event survey responses we received, over 85% responded that they loved the coding session and will continue coding on their own!
Coding a maze using the Scratch coding language
Thank you, LSEG WINTech Network, for sponsoring this IWD Coding Event. Sincere appreciation to the LSEG Keynote Speakers, Sandra Lee and Triona O’Keeffe, for donating their time and sharing their wisdom with these young attendees. GLAM is thankful for all the LSEG volunteers and GLAM Ambassadors who supported the delivery of this important content. Akua Opong, LSEG WINTech Event Coordinator, shared, "We wanted to focus on a session like this to show the importance of visibility, community, and role models and highlight the need for these young girls to believe in their own abilities. It is important for young girls to see what they can become in the future. This is why all the girls were also provided a goodie bag that focuses on skills for their future careers and role models. As they say, ‘Little girls with dreams become women with vision’.”
Help Girls Leadership Academy Meetup (GLAM) empower more girls and help close the gender gap in STEAM and business! Learn more about GLAM programs through GLAMtv, encourage your company to sponsor a GLAM Event, or donate to GLAM. If you have any additional questions, please email Team GLAM. We appreciate your support!
#GLAMReadyToLead #LSEGWINTech #WomenInFinance #WomenInLeadership #CorporateVolunteering #GirlsInSTEM #Coding #FinancialLiteracy #FinancialEducation #DiversityEquityandInclusion #DEI #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2023