Ladies Learning Code

Mentors in 3D

It’s time for something new at Ladies Learning Code. We’ll be having fun in 3D on July 14th with our first ever 3D Modelling and Printing workshop. We couldn’t do this workshop without these amazing mentors alongside their Makerbots, Repraps and Pandabots so please join us in giving them a warm welcome!

Lead Instructor: Ryan Schmidt (http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~rms/)

Ryan is a Research Scientist at Autodesk Research in Toronto, Canada. Ryan’s research focuses on interactive 3D design tools, with the goal of making them more expressive and efficient. As an undergraduate at the University of Calgary, he worked on a spinal surgery simulator and designed the MADBoxes display wall. In his graduate work (MSc UCalgary 2006, PhD UToronto 2010) he created ShapeShop, an easy-to-use sketch-based 3D modeling tool, and started the meshmixer project, which was acquired by Autodesk in 2011. Currently he is continuing to develop meshmixer and exploring new design interfaces in the context of emerging personal 3D fabrication workflows.

Lead Instructor: Gabby Resch (http://losingtime.ca/)

Gabby is a graduate student at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information and a member of both the ENCORE Lab research group at OISE and the Mobile and Pervasive Computing Cluster at the Inclusive Design Institute. He studies the development of digital media tools for educational purposes, and is especially interested in those that blur the lines between the virtual world and the authentic material world.

Bi-Ying Miao (@BiyingMeow | http://www.bmiao.com/hotpop)
Junior Architect at Levitt Goodman Architects – design, visualizations, coordination

What are you passionate about?  “Textiles and architecture.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “To be inspired!”

Graeme Hein (@graemehein | http://pandarobotics.com)
Product Management at Panda Robotics

What are you passionate about?  “Unlocking the opportunities for designers to deliver their concepts to consumers directly and instantaneously.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I wanted to highlight the possibilities in 3D printing. It’s really, really not like model trains, despite its current appearance.”

Andre Tiemann (http://printmyhouse.com)
Production at Entire Imaging Solutions

What are you passionate about?  “3D Printing.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I have a few 3D printers. Plus I like anything 3D Printer related.”

Suzanne Corriveau (@saeruaisu)
Systems Administrator at Teksmart

What are you passionate about?  “Technology and the way it shapes lives.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Because it’s hard to meet other ladies interested in tech!”

Kelly John Rose (@kjrose | http://kjro.se)
CEO at Panda Rose Consulting Studios, Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Bleeding edge technologies, improving everyone’s life.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “It was a great way for Suzanne and I to meet similarly minded individuals in Toronto.”

Paulo Bittencourt (@elpbitty)
Web Developer at Glendon College, York University – Responsible for developing and maintaining internal web applications, constantly trying to make better software.

What are you passionate about?  “1. Learning to make software that is actually good. (It’s hard!) 2. Learning how things work.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I’ve been following Ladies Learning Code events for the last few months, but have had trouble making time to go to the events that I’ve been interested in. When 3D printing came into the mix, I had to make it work. It seems like a very positive environment and I’m curious to see how the mentor format works!”

Matthew Compeau (@MattCompeau | http://emergentforms.com)
Computational Designer at Emergent Forms

What are you passionate about?  “The way culture is being transformed by disruptive technologies like the internet and how the virtual world is shaping physical space.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I want to help empower people to shape their world by teaching them about the tools new technology provides.”

Ben Unsworth (@bunswo | http://www.globacore.com)
President, Co-Founder at Globacore Interactive Technologies

What are you passionate about?  “Art, design, technology, physical computing, pints, and oxford commas.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Not enough lady developers out there.”

Ashley Lewis (@AshleyJaneLewis | http://ashleyjanelewis.ca)
Independent new media artist

What are you passionate about?  “Children’s education through multimedia platforms.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “They are an up beat, positive environment who are leaving a reputable mark on the female involvement in the programming/coding industry.”

Kathryn Meisner (@KathrynMeisner)
I do many things! Educational consulting, event planning, and social media strategy to name a few. I’m currently working with a few organizations including Mozilla, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, and EcoSchools.

What are you passionate about?  “Helping people to play and learn through technology!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I am a Lady Learning Code myself. This initiative is like no other and I am ecstatic to be a part of giving women more entry points into tech.”

Marie-Eve Belanger (@wrongposture | http://www.marieevebelanger.com)
Design and Research Coordinator at the ThingTank Lab, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

What are you passionate about?  “I’m all about good design, clean typography, qualitative research & ethnography, people, DIY & the maker movement, collaboration, running, good food, good wine, good craft beer & silly cat pictures.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I attended one of the first workshops on Javascript, fell in love with the people & the concept and wanted to give back to this pretty rad community. I also love meeting new people!”

Renae MacLeod (@Renae27 | http://renae.ca)
iT Director at Blammo Worldwide – Lone support for 20-40 people

What are you passionate about?  “Technology.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I enjoy helping others especially when they are eager to learn about technology.”

Kate Murphy (@kategeek | http://www.kategeek.com)
Software Developer at Konrad Group

What are you passionate about?  “Education outside the classroom.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Learning and teaching is super fun and rewarding. Also, selfishness! I want more ladies in the industry.”

Chris Olah (@ch402 | http://colah.ca)
I’m a Thiel Fellow. I also help run hacklab.to.

What are you passionate about?  “Mathematics, functional programming, language design, and 3D printing.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Sexism in technology culture is deeply problematic. Also, 3D printing is awesome!”

Ozana Gherman (@OzanaGherman | http://www.textilemuseum.ca/)
Communication + Marketing + Design at Textile Museum of Canada

What are you passionate about?  “Architecture + Textiles.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Love 3D!”

Derek Quenneville (@techknight | http://www.techknight.com)
Communications officer at Site 3, writer at Ponoko, developer and 3D printing evangelist at techknight.com

What are you passionate about?  “I’m passionate about sharing the awesomeness of 3D printing, and all of the changes to society and manufacturing that come with it. I’m also a strong proponent of videogame preservation, and understanding game design/mechanics/UX.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Because at least ten people forwarded Laura’s call for 3D printers to me. As you can see on my events page, I jump at just about any chance to get people excited about making: http://www.techknight.com/3d-printing-events-appearances/”

Sara Zokaei (@SaraZnotes | http://www.coroflot.com/sarazokaei)
User Experience Designer at Autodesk

What are you passionate about?  “I am passionate about designing, making and creating a well thought through user interface, a good code or a good product that works like magic!!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I recently learned about ladies learning code. My first thought was if this community was around when I was a computer math student, I probably would have benefited from the support and continued to finish the degree instead of switching paths. I was more than excited when the opportunity presented itself for me to participate and give back. Having come around full circle, this time I intend to stay.”

Jacob Botden (@jacobbiljo)
Controls Designer – Designing, programming and wiring industrial machines – at Athena Automation

What are you passionate about?  “Electronics design, 3d printing and the Open Source Harware community.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I always look forward to opportunities to expand the 3D printing community.”

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.