Women Of MENA In Technology, a non-profit organization with a mission to connect, mentor, support, and elevate Middle Eastern and North African women in technology, recently held its kick-off event in Arizona.

With growing chapters in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Seattle, London, NYC, Berlin, Paris, Orange County, Vienna, and Washington D.C., the organization’s Arizona launch marks the group’s 20th city.

At the kickoff event, participants learned about Women Of MENA In Technology’s initiatives, connected with MENA women in the Arizona tech community, and heard from a panel on ‘Why diverse Women should be a part of innovation leadership in Arizona.'

The panel included Azin Radsan van Alebeek, co-founder & managing director-Emmeline Ventures; Firasat Hussain, chief technology officer of Arrivia, Jennifer Strauel, chief people & diversity officer and co-chair of Arriva's DEI Committee; Monica Aleman, manager, applications engineering, North America - Universal Electronics Inc.; Ramzi Ammari, senior vice president, corporate planning and strategy, Universal Electronics Inc.; Sepideh Nasiri, founder & CEO of Women of MENA In Technology, and Tannaz Harirchian, area manager - Intel.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of Women Of MENA In Technology in Scottsdale, Arizona to elevate the profile of Middle Eastern & North African women working in technology and foster networking connections to ensure that these women’s incredible talents are elevated in the tech and STEM world,” said Sepideh Nasiri, founder & CEO of Women Of MENA In Technology.

“In an industry that is still coming to terms with its ubiquitous culture of sexism and lack of diversity, it is important now more than ever for women and people of color to be given access to opportunities that showcase their talent and entrepreneurial spirit. MENA women across the world are starting successful companies and creating innovative technologies that are quite literally changing the tech industry—challenging negative stereotypes about their community and bringing their own seat to the table.“

Universal Electronics sponsored the launch of the Women of the Middle East and North Africa in Technology Arizona chapter "to support the goals and mission of this organization to help close the diversity and gender gap in STEM,” said Ramzi Ammari, senior vice president for global product planning and strategy.

Women Of MENA In Technology was established in Silicon Valley in 2015. The organization serves over 50,000 community members, 90% of whom identify as technical and self-reported as engineers, data scientists, researchers, founders, intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors.