Ladies Learning Code

WordPress Workshop: Meet The Mentors!

Our WordPress workshop with Wes Bos is back by popular demand this Saturday. We’re so thrilled to have Wes return as our lead instructor and welcome all our mentors – some returning, but many new to the Ladies Learning Code Community. Thank you for spending part of your long weekend with us, we couldn’t do it without you!

Lead Instructor: Wes Bos (@wesbos | http://www.wesbos.com)
Self Employed Web Designer and Developer

What are you passionate about?  “From a high level, I’m super passionate about design, development, and business. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do all three as a career. From a technical standpoint, I spend most of my time working with JavaScript, PHP, and HTML5. I’ve been a WordPress developer for 5 years now and over the past year have been working a lot with HTML5, NodeJS and sprinkles of CSS3. New and open sources web technologies make me super excited and I can’t wait to see whats to come of the web in the next few years.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “All of the best things in my life are because of the community that surrounds them. With a group of people that are passionate about a certain topic, it fosters a community that allows for learning, sharing of knowledge and growth. I believe that sharing what you know with others is one of the best way to not only improve the community but also improve upon your skills. I’ve never taken a formal web development or design course and I haven’t read very many books. Everything I’ve learned comes from seemingly total strangers who offer up their time to help others learn. Passing this knowledge on is the obvious next step.”

Chris Tindal (@christindal | http://www.christindal.ca/)
Postmedia Network Inc. – I’m Director of Project Development for a startup-style business division, working within Postmedia to experiment with new kinds of journalism.

What are you passionate about?  “Democracy. Music. Firefly.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “LLC is an exciting and important initiative. I believe coding is the new literacy, so it’s important that everyone has equal access.”

Darren Puscas (@darrenpuscas | http://www.reworkit.net)
reWORKit.net – Freelance web communications for unions and social justice organizations. Includes design, development, content strategy, and implementation.

What are you passionate about?  “Social change, over-analyzing the news, building web communications for people, baseball.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I was asked last week to get involved and have only just now heard of LLC, but I think it’s a fantastic idea and sounds like a great organization!”

Shelley Williams (@flaskalicious)
Jr Graphic Designer at 12thirteen Design

What are you passionate about?  “Attaining the exact balance between form and function, Canadian music, and trashy British television.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “To get involved with the community, and contribute with the skills I have.”

Peter Newhook (@p337er | http://peternewhook.com)
Business Analyst at Cineplex Entertainment

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.”

Ameena Philips (@ameenaphilips | http://ameenaphilips.com)
Freelance Web Developer – Contract position at York University (Moodle, WordPress, HTML, CSS, PHP)

What are you passionate about?  “Web development and badminton.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I’m enthusiastic about helping LLC learners who are eager to code.”

Ivonne Karamoy (@ivonnekn | http://www.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.”

Michael Cranston (@cranstongivesin | http://www.teamcoding.ca)
Managing Accounts and Clients at a marketing company

What are you passionate about?  “New and innovative way to teach people coding.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I began learning code this past December and know how tough it can be at first. Since then, I’ve learnt various languages and currently am currently building on WordPress for my first web dev clients.”

Ankur Jain (@ankurjain185 | http://www.symmetricsolutions.ca)
Front-end Developer at National Post

What are you passionate about?  “User experience, web performance and technology. I believe a memorable user experience works hand in hand with highly optimized websites. No one likes to wait.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Having more women within our industry will provide a fresh perspective as both genders approach and solve problems differently. LLC looks like a great opportunity where I can share my knowledge while helping promote greater diversity within the industry.”

Eleanor Batchelder (@twelea)
Retired – Volunteer Webmaster at http://olderwomensnetwork.org

What are you passionate about?  “Income inequality.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Curiosity. Also, my son is part of a similar project in Boston.”

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.”

Simon Grossman (@simonlamp | http://www.lamplands.com)
Front-End Web Developer / Web Designer at Lamplands Design & Solutions

What are you passionate about?  “Web Design.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I enjoy working with WordPress and I am looking forward to helping others learn to enjoy it too.”

Uzo Olisemeka (@designbymobius | www.facebook.com/designbymobius)
Graphic Designer and Web Developer at designbymobius

What are you passionate about?  “Empowering small businesses.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I was helped a whole lot along my journey; it would be extremely selfish not to pay it forward.”

Sylvia Prowse (@dProwseSM | http://peoplewisewebsolutions.com/)
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, to 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.”

Danielle Sanford (@d_sanford | http://www.daniellesanford.com/)
Client Success Manager at gShift Labs – Deliver managed services for SEO software clients to enhance their web presence, including technical onsite optimization and social media management (ie. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, etc)

What are you passionate about?  “Turning good websites into great websites.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “The web-dev world tends to be very male-dominated. A chance to meet like-minded ladies with similar interests as my own seemed like a great opportunity.”

Alfred Ayache (@notrswebmaster | http://www.notoriouswebmaster.com/)
Independent Web Application Architect/Developer

What are you passionate about?  “Technology serving society.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Helping people learn technology.”

Stuart Starr (@stueynet | http://stuey.net & http://newbox.ca)
Owner at Newbox Solutions

What are you passionate about?  “Apps.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Like code. Love ladies.”

Yang Yu (@Mryangyu)
Product development and 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.”

Katherine Muir Grant (@kategrant | http://www.kategrant.ca/)
AV Services at Seneca@York and Garage Studios – tech help (editing suits) and video editing

What are you passionate about?  “Design and intertwining it with code.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “LLC is such a great way to encourage young and old people that digital media arts is so much fun and that anyone can be involved in the learning process. It’s awesome!”

Jonathan Levstein (@jlevstein)
Front End Web Developer at BNOTIONS

What are you passionate about?  “Life.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “More developers means that the web will grow faster and into a better experience for everyone.”

Amanda Wood (@amandahwood | http://www.amandahwood.com)
Freelance Web and Print Design at Amandah Wood Web Services and Wendell Motors

What are you passionate about?  “As a third year New Media student I’ve found my passion in user experience design and social interaction online. While some fantastic technologies currently exist I’m interested in exploring technology that truly utilizes the fact that we are humans and have a full body to interact with the world around us. Making things easy to use and human is what I strive to do!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I know Carly (LLC’s new intern) from the New Media program at Ryerson and when she approached me to help mentor this workshop I jumped at the chance to get involved. After reading Program Or Be Programmed by Douglas Rushkoff it really hit me how little I knew about computers before university and just how important it is that the younger generations understand how the technology they are consumed with works.”

Andrew Stevens (@andrewstevens | http://www.andxyz.com)
Software Developer at Orbis Communications

What are you passionate about?  “UX and webframeworks.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “The energy and aura of learning environments are great for everyone involved. Volunteering and the act of attempting to explain something with clarity is a reward in and of itself, makes me think of “talking to the rubber duck”. Getting in touch with the co-founder Laura and other mentors are side motives too.”

Jon Gauthier (@JonGauthier | http://www.wordpressblogcreation.com/)
Office & Courier Operations and Co-Founder at GoodFoot Delivery/ Freelance WordPress developer

What are you passionate about?  “Helping people learn new tech and web skills.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Because I want to share my knowledge & skills.”

Nadine Lessio (http://nadinelessio.com/)
Freelancer Designing websites for mostly independent creatives

What are you passionate about?  “Cycling and traveling.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Its fun, you meet a lot of interesting people, and its nice to give back to the tech community.”

Norman Valdez (@nmwarrior | http://www.newmediawarrior.net/)
Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) – provides planning, management, execution and coordination for all CERIC’s web and social media assets

What are you passionate about?  “New media, technology, politics, culture, social media, and science.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I think the intention to have a way to bring new media literacy into the professional community is great and I want become part of it.”

 

Please join us in giving these mentors a big round of applause!

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