Ladies Learning Code

It’s back. Intro to HTML/CSS. Meet Your Mentors Here.

By popular request, we are excited to bring back our Introduction to HTML/CSS workshop this Sunday. I am excited to announce our dedicated Mentors, led by the smart and cool Mark Reale.

Mark will be joined by some fabulous people. A big thanks to them all.

Lead Instructor: Mark Reale(@markreale | http://markreale.net)
Chief Culture Officer at BNOTIONS / Founder of Yorkville Media Centre / Professor at Seneca College

What are you passionate about?  “My passion for communication and story-telling are what led me to the tech industry. Technology is providing new ways to communicate, and it is a blast to have an opportunity to be on the front-lines as things get pushed forward. Equally, I have a passion for helping people empower themselves through making learning resources as open and available as possible. The Internet is making information easier to find than ever, but it still helps to build a community and resources where people can learn to navigate through all of this information.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Everything about Ladies Learning Code resonates with the goals of all our Yorkville Media Centre initiatives. Introduce ambitious, curious people to new technologies, and help equip them with tools to build and explore. I love the presence of Ladies Learning Code in the city, and we are more than happy to do whatever we can to help the group flourish.”

Co-Lead Instructor: Aaron Ritchie (@vsmantise )
Senior Developer at BNOTIONS / Instructor at Yorkville Media Centre / President of Harth Records

What are you passionate about?  “My passions are fourfold. #1: I have a passion for building cool things, be it a website, application API, or even an interface. Though my role at BNOTIONS is as a back-end programmer, I do consider myself a front-end programmer as well. I love working with CSS and making things look pretty. #2: I have a passion for music. I love playing, composing, and producing a wide range of styles. #3: I have a passion for languages. I’m not talking about PHP, Objective-C, etc., but rather international languages. I have been studying Japanese for the past eleven years, and I have recently begun studying Korean. #4: I have a passion for working with others who share my passions.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I’ve been an instructor at the Yorkville Media Centre since it’s inception several years ago. I felt that bringing what I have to offer at the YMC to a new environment such as Ladies Learning Code will give me the opportunity to work and share knowledge with new people that I would not have had the chance to otherwise.”

Co-Lead Instructor: Jonathan Levstein (@jlevstein)
Front End Web Developer at BNOTIONS / “I get to play around with HTML, CSS and a bit of javascript. On a typical project I am the one who lays out the HTML architecture and the CSS layout”

What are you passionate about?  “Life | I’m always down to learn something new. Currently, I am also passionate about teaching Naginata at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I decided to become involved with LLC because I wanted to show that anyone can learn HTML and CSS; regardless of gender. More developers means that the web will grow faster and into a better experience for everyone.”

Richard Gould (@u2622)
Keyboard-wielding code-monkey at GaggleUp

What are you passionate about?  “Writing clean, terse code, hunting down the toughest bugs, and developing awesome things. Also: noisy electronic music, cycling, and languages.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Why not? Previously I’ve found myself being mentored by others. Now is my chance to return the favour.”

Yang Yu (@Mryangyu)
Product development, business development at wishhaha inc.

What are you passionate about?  “I’m passionate about creating value in society through innovative and user friendly social technologies.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Women are really great coders and most just dont realize it to be part of this movement and add value back to the community is an opportunity I can’t miss. Plus sharing what I have learned through my journey in this space to better others is just an awesome thing.”

Al Davis (www.wpteach.com)
TELUS, George Brown College, Freelance

What are you passionate about?  “In no particular order: The Web, WordPress and Teaching. Combining the three of them has allowed me to realize many goals personally. Being able to share those things with others is very fulfilling for me.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I first heard about the group through one of my co-organizers of WordCamp Toronto. I do some sponsoring of a similar group in Montreal (Montreal Girl Geeks) through my day job and wanted to do something more hands on where I live!”

Greg Sullivan (http://toronto.justshows.com/)
Principal at Swivel Base

What are you passionate about?  “Web design and development, one-page recipes and productivity books I don’t have time to read.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Women are underrepresented in the development community, and events like these help to demystify a field that should be accessible to everyone.”

Carissa Rousseau (@Carissarousseau | http://carissarousseau.com)
Student at Humber College for Multimedia Design and Production Technician | Intern with shoplocket doing front end work such as customizing blog theme.

What are you passionate about?  “Front-End Web development.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I love what Ladies Learning Code is trying to do and I want to support them any way I can!”

Gavin Lobo (http://www.rabidgeek.net)
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, grad student, research assistant, tutorial instructor

What are you passionate about?  “Teaching, Science, Mathematics and Programming”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Coding is so much fun! More women should get involved!”

Gavin Smith (@gavinsmith | http://gavinsmith.me )
Front End Developer, responsable for bringing interactions into the picture during and after the design process at Jet Cooper

What are you passionate about?  “Building interfaces and functional user experiences. Nothing like bringing a project/product from sketches to something users can experience.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “LLC is a fantastic opportunity to ‘give back’ while having a great time.”

Sylvia Prowse (@ProwseSM | PeopleWiseWebSolutions.com )
At People Wise Web Solutions I design and develop websites for small business that are searchable, usable and accessible. That helps businesses to be found more easily on the web, when their future clients are searching for someone to help them. A website is your best business card – unless your website is hard to use.

What are you passionate about?  “I’m passionate about creating Web sites that meet or exceed International Web Standards, which allow all people, regardless of capabilities or limitations, can access the web, and helping business owners get their message online effectively. I’m also passionate about learning, travelling and nature. ”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I love learning and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and helping others learn too. As well, it’s a great opportunity to give back to the community.”

Brendan Seabrook
Web Developer for TorStar Digital (Toronto Star / Rogers)

What are you passionate about?  “Teaching!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I have female friends who want to start programming, but lack a proper support network. I also enjoy teaching.”

Peter Iskandar (@bassingitup)
Agile Engineer, Mobile Application Development at Xtreme Labs Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Music, Computers, Art”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I decided to get involved with Ladies Learning Code because I wanted to help people further their knowledge in computers/coding. I think it’s a great cause and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Laurie MacDougall Sookraj (@lmds)
Senior Analyst @ University Health Network

This is Laurie’s second time instructing Ladies Learning Code!

What are you passionate about?  “Taking broken software and making it work, building stuff that’s useful to people and helps them to do their work more effectively. Also hammocks, cupcakes, and martinis.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Seemed like a good way to encourage people to get involved with technology, which can sometimes be intimidating, especially for women in a world where the gender imbalance in computer science often looks like 10 men to every 1 woman. It’s fun to see the satisfaction of making something work that you built yourself, and of learning something new, especially for people who have never done this sort of thing before!”

Peter Newhook (@p337er  | http://peternewhook.com)
Business Analyst at Cineplex Entertainment “I split my time between automating forms and workflows using SharePoint and designing reports and visualizations that provide new ways to look at numbers.”

What are you passionate about?  “Making enterprise software usable and enjoyable. When I’m not in front of a monitor, I’m finding a way to get on a bike.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Women are going to look at problems differently than men will, and come up with different solutions. As an industry we need more well trained women writing code.”

Avery Swartz (@AverySwartz | http://averyswartz.com/ )
Independent Web Designer and Front-End Developer

What are you passionate about?  “Professionally, I’m most passionate about helping my clients understand the web. And making kickass websites for them. Personally, I’m most passionate about my family (including my baby girl!) and travel.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I want to see more women in technology! I’m often lonely as the only girl in the room. I’ve also heard that the Ladies Learning Code events are lots of fun, so I want to join in and meet new people.”

Kandirra Wilson (@kandirra  | http://www.kandirra.com)
Program Coordinator: Web design, project coordination, communications, multi-media production in support of professional development programs at the Centre for the Support of Teaching, York University.

What are you passionate about?  “Creative means of communication. I’m an ideas person.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I decided to get involved because of my love for making connections, networking, and creating community support that facilitates learning and knowledge sharing; something we are most in need of in an industry where women are under-represented.”

Ivonne Karamoy (@ivonnekn  | http://ivonnekaramoy.com)
Freelance Designer and Developer (art direction, graphic design, web/interactive/UI/UX design & development, illustration)

What are you passionate about?  “Great design in any shape or form, using technology and design to enrich a person’s experience, collaboration and learning in technology and creativity in all forms. I’m also passionate about travelling, good food, and my relationship with others, especially my family and friends.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I stumbled upon Ladies Learning Code and thought it was such a great idea, I bookmarked it. Shortly after I read some articles about the shortage of females in technology programs and positions and I thought that was unfortunate. I remember being one of a handful of women in my Computer Science program but I thought things had progressed since. That’s when I knew I had to get involved with LLC. I also like that at it’s core, it’s about people in the industry (male or female) helping women who are willing to learn and have a craving for it. I think it is a great initiative that enables more women to learn about technology in a safe, collaborative and non-intimidating way. At it’s core, it’s about people in the industry helping others who are willing to learn and have a craving for it. I enjoy helping others and I get to meet all sorts of amazing people along the way.”

Linn Øyen Farley (@Linndelicate | http://drollic.net)
Freelance web designer – Building websites from scratch for a variety of fellow freelancers, small businesses and arts workers

What are you passionate about?  “Empowering website owners to get their hands dirty with their own sites (and I often use WordPress as a means to that end!). Coding by hand & technical theatre. Also, to-do lists.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Learning about Ruby was a blast and mentoring at January’s WordPress workshop was even more fun. I was lucky enough to have a couple fantastic friends teach me HTML and CSS back in the day – I’m so grateful that LLC exists to give me a chance to pay it forward, once again.”

Conrad Muad (@radicalradical | http://www.radicalradical.com/)
Independent Contractor – Web Developer, front end and server side

What are you passionate about?  “Usability, user experience, ease of use.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “It is awesome ”

Jenny Zhang (@phirephoenix | http://www.phirephoenix.com )
Auditor at Big Accounting Firm

What are you passionate about?  “Writing about everything and anything that interests me – this includes silly stories, attempts at novels, and most recently, lengthy blog posts about social issues and the role of technology in our lives.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I dabble in web development beceause I find coding and building a page from scratch to be really rewarding, and I’d like to help bring that experience to other women who may not have thought to get involved in something like this otherwise. Also, I would really like to meet other likeminded geeks who could help me along in my attempts to learn more code myself.”

Emir Hasanbegovic (@PhiGammEmir | http://www.emirweb.com)
Agile Engineer at Xtreme Labs Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “I am all about developing core infrastructures that can be used as tools over and over again. Building stronger application cores allows for better end-user experience and development tools. I love to look at technology from the inside out.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I strongly believe in the power of learning. Learning is super, super fun and I want to help others have the same experience with learning technology as I have.”

Zakir Hemraj (@zakirh)
Senior Software Engineer at Achievers

What are you passionate about?  “Disruptive technologies and start-ups.”

Christina Almeida
Web Developer at Flight Centre Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Reading, Watching great movies and coding ”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I thought this would be a great way to help movtivate and mentor woman so that there will be more of us in this industry.”

James Halpern
Agile Engineer at Xtreme Labs Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Technology in general. Tech is cool.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I have some free time, and so I figured I should spend it volunteering and trying to help out. Would be nice to have fun and help people learn code.”

Gerry Power (@gerrypower)
ZooTech Keeper for zoocasa.com and homerenovationguide.com at Rogers Ventures

What are you passionate about?  “Technology, continuous learning, motorcycles, sailing and passionate people.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “So happy to support people in our community that want to learn and experience technology!”

 

YAY! Sunday is almost here. I can’t wait! ~Fun~

For more info about Ladies Learning Code, follow us on Twitter or check out our Facebook Page. If you’d like to join our email list, click here or to volunteer as a Mentor, join our developer email list