Girls In Tech Guyana is a chapter of the global non-profit, Girls in Tech, which is dedicated to eliminating the gender gap in tech. In this a new episode in our conversations with tech-based social enterprises, we speak with Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran, the Managing Director of Girls In Tech Guyana, on among other things: her journey to lead a tech non-profit; the sustainability of Girls in Tech Guyana, and what it will take to truly move the needle on eliminating the gender gap in tech.

 

This episode is also available in Apple iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify and on Stitcher!

Historically, and in the first half of the year, there is heightened attention on fostering greater involvement of girls in ICT. Usually within the months of April or May, and over a two-month period, there are lots of activities and campaigns focussed on school-aged girls to potentially see themselves in tech-related careers. However, once the dust settles, the movement is not as visible until April and May of the following year.

Although those initiatives are worthy of praise, it is perhaps even more important that we highlight the organisations and initiatives that exist in the trenches and are trying to move the needle year-round. Hence in this podcast episode, we are discussing the social enterprise, Girls in Tech Guyana, with its Managing Director, Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran.

Girls in Tech Guyana is a chapter of the global non-profit, Girls in Tech, which is focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of girls and women who are passionate about technology. Girls in Tech has over 60,000 members in more than 50 chapters worldwide, and in addition to eliminating the gender gap in tech, the organisation seeks to foster diversity and inclusivity, cognisant that tech today requires people of all skills and backgrounds.

 

Introducing our guest

Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran

Serial entrepreneur, Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran is Chief Executive Officer and Business Analyst at Gurchuran Investments Inc. in Guyana, where she leads the portfolio for Digital Content Development Strategy and Digital Public Relations on various technology, public health, and entrepreneurship projects for both private and public sector agencies.

A native and resident of Guyana, Evie is recognized both nationally and internationally for her mentorship of women and youth and for her extensive work in the field of technology for business. That includes her voluntary work with Girls in Tech where she holds the position of Managing Director of the Guyana chapter. Girls in Tech is one of the largest, global, non-profits for the support of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Evie has a keen interest in empowering entrepreneurs through e-commerce and in leveraging technology for growth and global market access. As a multi-award winning social and innovation-conscious woman, she uses her platform to mentor and encourage other young women in career goals and growth through various programmes, many of which she has created.

In addition to her voluntary work with Girls In Tech, Evie is the Current Past Vice Chairman of the Small Business Board, Small Business Bureau of Guyana’s Ministry of Business. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Guyana Chamber Commerce and Industry’s Entrepreneurship Committee and is Co-Founder of the non-profit Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

 

Insights into our conversation

From a quick glance at Evie’s résumé, one realises that she has A LOT going on. She runs several businesses, and in addition to leading Girls In Tech Guyana, she spends quite a bit of time doing volunteer work, such as sitting on boards that promote women and/or business in Guyana.

Girls In Tech Guyana is still quite young, having launched in 2019, and so significant achievements have not yet been realised. It is still in the process of gaining traction among its segment of focus, which is primarily among university students, and so uses the interest generated in its activities as a key measure of success.

Having said this, Evie is aware that in order to have girls embrace tech in considerably greater numbers than they currently are, requires a sustained effort that starts when girls are much younger, which also involves the community at large. However, through Girls In Tech Guyana, a foundation is being built, which it may be possible to leverage in the future.

Below are the key questions posed to Evie during our conversation.

  1. Can you give us more details about Girls In Tech Guyana, the services it offers and how individuals can access those services?
  2. Tell us a bit of your story, and what drove you to set up the Guyana Chapter of Girls In Tech?
  3. Do you think of Girls In Tech Guyana as a social enterprise? How would you describe the social good or social impact Girls In Tech Guyana is pursuing?
  4. How do you balance the social impact versus the  sustainability/profitability imperatives you might have for Girls In Tech Guyana?
  5. What are some of the Key Performance Indicators or markers of success that are important to Girls In Tech Guyana?
  6. What has been some of the successes Girls In Tech Guyana has been able to realise to date?
  7. How would you describe yourself as a manager, as the leader of your organisation? What do you consider your greatest strength?
  8. What has been the biggest lesson you have had to learn in running Girls In Tech Guyana?
  9. Where would you like to see Girls In Tech Guyana in the next 3 to 5 years?
  10. What is the best piece of advice you would give a tech start-up that wants to start a social enterprise?

 

We would love to hear from you!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Image credits: E. Kanhai-Gurchuran; E. Kanhai-Gurchuran; Girls in Tech Guyana (Facebook); ITU Pictures (flickr); CityofStPete (flickr)

Music credit: Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez