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.

Raquel is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with a master’s degree in IT Project Management from AUT and over 12 years of experience in the IT industry. She has led network infrastructure, software development, and ERP projects across diverse industries in Europe, UK, US, and Philippines. Known for her adaptability, she strives for project excellence and fosters a collaborative, inclusive work environment. As an event manager at She Sharp, Raquel leverages her project management expertise to plan and organise She-Sharp-led conferences & events. Inspired by She Sharp’s mission, she’s passionate about creating a diverse environment where women can grow, learn, and overcome challenges in STEM.

Sabrina is a product development engineer at FPH, known for her passion for learning and self-improvement. She thrives on diverse experiences, from leading agile sprints, operating metal machinery, and soldering circuit boards to completing her first software merge request. These varied challenges have shaped her into a well-rounded professional who values teamwork, collaboration, and guiding conversations to meaningful outcomes.

Outside of work, Sabrina stays active physically and mentally through Pilates, badminton, and learning Korean and software skills. She is deeply committed to empowering women in tech, encouraging others to explore and thrive in the industry.

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.

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.

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.

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 holds a Master's in Computer and Information Sciences from New Zealand and aims to gain international experience before returning to her home country to make a meaningful impact. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor's in Information Technology in India and gained two years of IT consultancy experience. Tanvee enjoys reading fiction, swimming, nature walks, and yoga. She has a passion for exploring diverse cuisines and cultures, particularly South Asia and Europe. Her long-term goal is to improve literacy rates in rural areas of her homeland, contributing to community development through education.

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.

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.

Alyssa is a first class BE (Hons) software engineering graduate from Auckland University of Technology, passionate about empowering more women in tech. With internship experiences and as an upcoming graduate software engineer, she is proficient in various programming languages, frameworks, and tech stacks. Beyond her studies, Alyssa enjoys creative pursuits like designing websites and exploring interior design, which balance her technical skills and inspire her. Her involvement with She Sharp began through a mentorship program led by Dr. Mahsa, igniting her enthusiasm for encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM.

Dr. Meeta Patel is an experienced scientist with over 20 years of research expertise. As a Senior Scientist and Sustainability Lead at NanoLayr, she developed and implemented the company's sustainability strategy, including eco-friendly packaging. Her PhD in science and background in biopolymers have been invaluable. Dr. Patel has built strong relationships with councils, universities, research institutes, community groups, and organizations, showcasing her collaboration skills. She is active in volunteering, organizing community sports, and promoting STEM education. As an industry lead ambassador for SHE Sharp, she leverages her experience in professional and volunteer roles to foster collaboration.

Neda is currently in the final year of studies at AUT, working towards completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Driven by curiosity and a strong desire to excel in a professional career, she continually seeks new challenges and opportunities for up-skilling and learning something new. As an active participant in conservation projects dedicated to fostering environmental sustainability and regenerating native biodiversity, Neda is able to grow her passion for sustainability and motivation to achieve positive social and environmental impacts.

With a significant passion for environmental and sustainable practices, Neda is particularly interested in bioremediation to solve complex environmental issues.

Meet Gowri! After spending two dedicated years as a quality analyst in network security, Gowri realized that her true passion wasn’t just in codes and ciphers. Art had always been close to her heart, so she took a leap of faith and transitioned from the logical world of tech to the creative world of design. Now, Gowri is blending her love for art with technology as a passionate UX Designer.

Beyond design, Gowri loves hiking, painting, and biking—activities that keep her grounded and inspired. The She Sharp event played a huge role in building her confidence as a woman in tech, and it has been a privilege for Gowri to volunteer and contribute what she’s learned.