Hybrid: BCS Shropshire Women in Tech - Shropshire branch

Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating women in technology.

Agenda

6.30pm - Welcome food
7:00pm - Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Welcome: Kirsten Hollister
• Event Opening: Harpreet Panesar (Director of Membership, BCS)
  • Focus: Setting the stage for the evening, the mission of BCS WIT, and welcoming our Shropshire tech community.

7:15pm - Keynote Speaker

• Speaker: Michelle Smith, Founder & Principal Advisor, Life in the Lead – Culture & Leadership Advisory
  • Topic: Finding Your Voice, Owning Your Value: Navigating the Tech Landscape with Confidence
  • Format: 15-minute talk followed by a 10-minute audience questions and answers.
  • Focus: Moving past the technical capabilities to unlock your true potential. Michelle will share insights on overcoming self-doubt, understanding your organizational worth, and leveraging mentorship, allyship, and practical communication to thrive in complex workplace cultures.

7:50pm - Panel Discussion: Technology Careers Then, Now and Next

• Host: Tim East
  • Panelists: Nipa Soni, David Cooper, Lauren Dally*, Kirsten Hollister*
    • Format: 15-minute discussion followed by a 5-minute audience questions and answers.
    • Focus: Reflecting on how technology careers have evolved, the progress made in creating more inclusive opportunities, and the actions needed to support future generations entering technical and specialist roles. The discussion will explore career journeys, mentorship, allyship, emerging technologies such as AI and Cybersecurity, and how organisations can help attract, develop and retain diverse technical talent.

8:10pm - Audience Open Forum & Event Close

• Host: Kirstin Hollister
  • Focus: Final open floor for any lingering audience questions, community notices, and a wrap-up of the evening's core takeaways.

8.30pm - Networking
9:00pm - Close

Synopsis

The event will explore career journeys, challenges, opportunities, innovation, leadership and the future of technology, with opportunities for audience questions and discussion throughout.

Whether you are already working in tech, considering a career in the industry, or simply interested in the experiences of women shaping the digital world, this event offers valuable insight, practical advice and networking opportunities.

Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.

This meeting is conducted in accordance with the BCS Code of Conduct for Meetings.

BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today

Please note, if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via groups@bcs.uk, and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.

BCS privacy notice: your data will be processed by BCS in accordance with our data privacy notice.

Photography: by attending this event, you may be photographed or filmed. Please speak to a member of staff if you do not wish to be included.

For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.

This event is brought to you by: Shropshire branch