Dr Mahsa McCauley is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Women in Tech in AUT’s School of Computer, Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences. She is a well-recognised leader in AI and machine learning. She is also the founder of the charitable trust She Sharp, a women’s technology networking and learning group, where she works to encourage young New Zealand girls to consider what a career in technology offers. She founded She# in the hope of bringing about the much-needed change in the gender split in tech and believes that we must work together to solve this!

In 2019 she was the Champion Award winner of the YWCA Equal Pay awards, and in 2020 presented the Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award.”

Mike is a civil engineer, and currently works as an IT Project Manager for Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ. Involved with She# since its inception in 2014, Mike will often be seen at our events with camera in one hand and daughter in the other. He is passionate about encouraging more women to consider careers in tech since he sees the tremendous benefit diversity brings to the tech development space.

Outside of work and professional life, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, and cooking.

Cece specialises in creating and executing marketing strategies focusing on demand generation, go-to-market strategies, building brand and thought leadership, growing and activating communities, email marketing, lead nurturing, content creation, and storytelling. You might be thinking, “hey, that’s almost everything to do with marketing!” That’s what working in startups has grown her to do, and it’s made her a great T-shaped marketer.

She's the type of marketer that can plan strategically and at the same time, execute on the work and get stuff done. She also has an interest in international development, advocacy and is looking for an opportunity to join a non-profit board

Maria is currently studying at AUT majoring in Software Development. Drawing upon her passion for coding and technology, she spends her days immersed in the world of programming languages and algorithms. While her academic pursuits keep her engaged, Maria's ambitions extend beyond the classroom.

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Maria found She Sharp through events that they were running through in AUT. Her values and aspirations are aligned with She Sharp's mission of promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.

Mel currently works at ASB, as a digital experience analyst. She graduated at UoA in 2018 with a Bcom, but joining the tech industry happened to fall into her lap and she decided she loved working there! She has had experience as a business analyst in other corporate roles, as well as having the pleasure of working for non-profit organisations in the marketing space too. She has been nominated for many leadership programs in each company she has worked for, which is clearly proven in her strengths of leading with purpose, for cross-functional collaboration, between teams.

She loves empowering other women who are also in the technology space, and loves being involved in creating a supportive, safe network for those that need it.

Iuliia is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in IT Project Management at AUT, having shifted from Financial Analytics to the Product Development team at a bank. With the aim of enhancing the experience of making data-driven decisions in product management, she furthered her skills by obtaining a certificate in Data Analysis. She is inspired by the She# team and is thrilled to dedicate her time to connecting talented and enthusiastic people.

Monika's professional journey spans two continents: Europe and New Zealand. From piloting professional drones, she is now exploring the challenges present within the manufacturing industry. Drawing from her migrant experience, she underscores the significance of continuous self-development to succeed in diverse environments. With a keen interest in technology and AI, Monika is captivated by the relationship between humans and machines. Beyond her work, she's committed to helping others and champions the empowerment of communities through knowledge. She believes education is the key to brighter futures and is an advocate for more women taking the lead in digital transformation. Personally, she is also into fitness and motorbikes.

With a diverse background in product marketing, public relations, copywriting and now tech, Shae’s experience spans continents as well as disciplines. A self-proclaimed generalist, Shae is currently studying Postgraduate Computer Science, complementing her Business and Communication Studies undergraduate degrees. Shae likes to think of herself as at the intersection of the creative and the technical. She’s passionate about bringing tech to underrepresented industries and groups. 

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In 2014, Shae represented New Zealand winning a Flying Kiwis Scholarship and again in 2019, representing AUT for the International Internship Scholarship programme run by AUT Internz.

Sara is an electrical engineering graduate currently pursuing a master's in computer information sciences, effectively bridging insights from both domains. With experience in monitoring telecom sites and analyzing technical reports, she nurtures a profound interest in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, which drives her academic pursuit. A SheSharp ambassador, she actively furthers the organization's mission of empowering women in technology.

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Sara's thirst for learning finds solace in leisurely walks and the therapeutic embrace of music, perfectly complementing her dedication to expanding her knowledge horizons.

Tanvee is an international student in New Zealand, pursuing her Master's degree in Computer and Information Sciences. Her aspirations encompass completing her studies, gaining international exposure, and ultimately returning to her home country to establish herself. Before arriving in NZ, Tanvee obtained her Bachelor's degree in IT in India and then spent two years in IT consultancy. Beyond her professional endeavors, she harbors a deep passion for reading, particularly fictional literature, and takes pleasure in diving into a range of drama shows. For leisure and well-being, Tanvee is keen on swimming, nature walks, and yoga. Exploring varied cuisines and culinary delights is one of her personal joys. She has a fervent wish to delve into the cultures and cuisines of Asian and European countries through travel. Tanvee also derives immense satisfaction from contributing to charitable causes and has recently devoted herself to a weekly program for children in need. Her long-term ambition is to enhance the literacy rate in rural areas of her homeland.

Isha is pursuing her Master of Computer and Information Sciences degree at AUT, focusing on expanding her expertise in the field. With a background as a DevOps engineer at Persistent Systems in India, she brings real-world experience and technical insight to her academic journey.

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Isha's introduction to She Sharp came through her participation in various events organised at AUT by Dr. Mahsa. Sharing a common mission with She Sharp, Isha is dedicated to promoting gender balance within the tech industry.

Richu is a Tech enthusiast and always eager to learn and grow. Completed her Post graduate in 2019 from AUT in Computer and Information Science. A shesharp ambassador with similar believe for empowering women from our future generation in Tech. Mother of a athletic and curious boy, finding a balanced life for the family where Technology and traditions both have an equipoise.

Amy is employed at a crown entity and draws inspiration from Mahsa's leadership in bringing women into the STEM field. With a background in working for Big4 and private enterprises in risk and compliance, she possesses an insatiable appetite for learning and seeks to engage with influential minds. Her journey into cybersecurity commenced with Google Certificates. She aspires for her narrative to empower other women to recognize their potential in STEM, firmly believing that a collaborative endeavour will narrow the gender gap and foster greater female success in the technology workforce. Amy nurtures a passion for travel, having pursued European studies via a scholarship from the University of Waikato.