Women Innovators Fellowship
Do Space, Neb.
Innovation Synopsis
The Do Space Women Innovators Fellowship was a competitive, six-month experience that challenged three Fellows to develop new resources and tools to promote the advancement of women in technology and tech entrepreneurship in Omaha. Each Fellow received expert mentorship from local female leaders, a $10,000 stipend and additional resources.
Challenge/Opportunity
Not only are Omaha women underrepresented in technical roles, but they are also underrepresented in business. Women hold less than a quarter of our city’s tech jobs. Nationally, only one in five C-suite level leaders is a woman; fewer than one in 30 is a woman of color. Do Space was proud to offer three Fellows the opportunity to develop projects that address these community challenges while facilitating conversations about equity and representation.
Key Elements of Innovation
As the nation’s first technology library, Do Space works to achieve equity in our community by ensuring all Omahans have free access to technology and innovative learning experiences. Through unique initiatives like the Fellowship, Do Space leads the local conversation about race and social equity in technology, elevating the voices and contributions of women innovators working to address inequities in Omaha. Access to advice, connections and mentorship further magnified the impact of all three projects.
Achieved Outcomes
- April Goettle developed remoter.tech, a resource website and job board that promotes remote work to tech talent and employers in Omaha and nearby rural areas.
- Bianca Zongrone Jefferson conducted a research study exploring why women choose to stay in or leave tech majors and careers, aiming to help Omaha retain diverse tech talent.
- Carina Glover launched HerHeadquarters, a mobile app that empowers Omaha women entrepreneurs to collaborate with peers in L.A., NYC and beyond.
