Marily Mondejar (front row, eighth from left) with 2016 FWN awardees. Photo by FWN.
From October 25th to 29th, the 14th annual Filipina Leadership Global Summit will be held in Toronto.
Organized by the San Francisco-based Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), the event is more than a celebration of the world’s 100 most influential Filipina leaders— it is an opportunity to bring free coding and mentorship opportunities to Toronto.
“We don’t want to just come in and leave,” said founder and CEO Marily Mondejar. “We want to give back to the community that hosts us.”
Musical Coding by Music Notes
Facilitators from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will be teaching Filipinas aged 9-12 a lesson in coding with an artistic twist.
“Because we want to focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) instead of just STEM, we want the girls to learn coding through hip-hop,” said Mondejar.
“At the end of the day, they will be able to modify or code a song that they will present at graduation.”
Although the cost is $100 USD per child, the FWN is offering the workshop for free to 50 girls.
“We want them to apply soon so we can give them the scholarship,” said Mondejar. “The research we’ve seen says that it’s the most neglected age group.”
“All of the experts are flying in on their own money. This group, Music Notes, their mission is to teach coding to young girls. They’re investing in this. We need to find the girls.”
Participants must bring their own smartphone and laptop with Windows 8 or 10. The program will be on October 25th from 8:00-5:30 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre.
Wonder-Full Adventures with Robots: Dash and Dot
Teams from ten GTA high schools can apply to send two to four Filipina teens and one adult to learn coding with Wonder Workshop's award-winning robots, Dash and Dot.
After the workshop, teams can bring a robot back to their high schools.
Although the cost is $500 USD per person, the FWN is offering this workshop for free.
Successful teams who apply will be notified by October 15th. Team members must bring their own tablet and smartphone (contact FWN for brand specifications). The program will be October 25th, from 8:00-5:30 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre.
Power MeetUp With Amazing Filipina and Canadian Women
FWN members will meet Filipina and Canadian professionals at this free social networking event with a focus on women in international trade.
“We want to seat them in groups of five for a more intimate gathering,” said Mondejar. “As a ‘No Host’ event, this will be an informal evening for us to meet local women.”
The Power MeetUp will take place on October 25 at 6:00pm at the Marché in Brookfield Place. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided, and participants must pre-register online.
Pinay Speed FEMtoring with Global FWN100™ Awardees
FEMtors are female mentors who have received the Global FWN100™ award for outstanding Filipina leadership.
“Awardees must join the FWN, attend the summit, pay their own way, and give back by advising mentees,” said Mondejar. “It’s a working award.”
This mentoring event is geared towards new professionals with only one to five years of experience in any profession.
“We want to connect Filipina doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, people in the military, and more,” said Mondejar.
Last year, the summit was at the University of Cebu.
“We opened FEMtoring to students, but the president of the university said that the professors requested the session be for them, too. They were teachers, doctors, lawyers. They actually closed the school for the day— they were so interested.”
The event will take place on October 28 at 3:15 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre. Participants must fill out an application under the “Engage” tab on the FWN summit homepage.
Nominations Still Open: The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World
The FWN is still seeking Global FWN100™ nominations for Filipina-Canadian leaders.
Nominees must be a “#FilipinaDisrupter”— someone who is “fearless, purpose-driven, and socially conscious” in any economic sector.
“Our goal is to have a Filipina woman leader in every sector of the economy by 2020,” said Mondejar.
Canadian nominations must be received as soon as possible.
“She has to be vetted and interviewed for approval,” said Mondejar. “Then there’s another process for featuring her on FWN Magazine and ordering her award, if approved.”
“There are currently eight Canadian awardees, and we’d like to increase that eight.”
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Mondejar hopes that this summit will connect more Filipina leaders worldwide.
“When someone says, ‘I’m the first,’ my question is, ‘Who did you bring along? Who will be next?’ You’ll always be first, but I’m sure there’s another influential Filipina in your area.”
“This is the culture of FWN,” said Mondejar. “They’re not just coming to get an award. It’s a working award. We say, ‘You need to give back.’”
Participants must pre-register online for all events. For schedules, nominations, and registrations, see www.filipinasummit.org or contact filipina@ffwn.org.