Ladies Learning Code

Kathryn Barrett (@kathryn_barrett | http://kathrynbarrett.ca)
User Experience Web Designer at Bora New Ventures

What are you passionate about?  “Simplistic interface design and overall user experience within web, mobile and physical environments. The development of technology and its corresponding experience has always been about taking risks and learning until something wonderful is created and I think now is the perfect time for more people to get involved and become creators. We live in such a fascinating world with such fascinating tools!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? ”First and foremost, to share information and knowledge. Would also love to see more women in the industry ”

Jonathan Hernandez (@jono_hernandez | http://jonohernandez.com)
Developer at SASCEA

What are you passionate about?  “Videogames. Also learning new things, creating amazing applications that are simple to use.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a team of great people and learn a lot along the way from them. Ladies Learning Code is a great initiative that wants to do away with the preconceived notion that programming can be difficult to get into. It’d be great to be able to give back to the community and get more people introduced to some useful and very important tech.”

Ethan Clarke (http://ethanclarke.ca)
Organizer, Facilitator, & Communicator

What are you passionate about?  “I have been a union organizer for several years and really enjoy watching people learn they have more power than they thought they did. I also have a technical knack and enjoy learning new ways to use technology to communicate with people.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I’m interested in seeing the pedagogy in action. I’ve done a lot of popular education but mostly around social issues. I’m interested in seeing how teaching tech stuff can happen in an alternative fashion.”

Calvin Tennant (@calvintennant | http://calvintennant.com)
Front-end Developer

What are you passionate about?  “Building products that enable people to work, learn and play more efficiently.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I feel that it is important to introduce new people to the web development community.”

Rene Vega
Senior Web Developer – Team Lead at Torstar Digital

What are you passionate about?  “Supporting high profile businesses using web technologies to improve their brand presence and revenue.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “It’s key for new people that want to be successful in the Web Development field to get hands on experience with real life working situations as soon as possible. Now that I have such experience I want to give back the favor to enthusiasts eager to learn.”

Kevin Lee (@livekeen | http://livekeen.com)
Freelance Web Designer

What are you passionate about?  “Web Design, Interesting Startups and Great Conversations.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I believe the more you teach the more you learn.”

Aleksandar Micovic (@aleksmicovic | http://aleksandarmicovic.com)
Senior software developer at Good World Games. In addition, I do everything from front-end design (usually HTML/CSS/Javascript) to back-end development (Python/PostgreSQL/couchbase, etc). Being a startup, I honestly do a bit of everything here, but most of my responsibilities lie with development.

What are you passionate about?  “I’m really passionate about the free software movement (GPL, fsf.org, etc). With technology becoming such a cornerstone of our lives, it’s important that the things we depend upon respect our freedom and privacy.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I’m passionate about teaching and after having been a TA for 3 years at UofT teaching undergrads to program, I’d like to get back to doing something similar.”

Connie Leung (@firstandshadow| http://firstandshadow.com)
R&D, site design and development.

What are you passionate about?  “A/R, wearable technologies, responsive architecture and biomimicry Oh cycling!!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I love what you guys do and help demystify technology in language and in spirit. I wish you guys were around when I was going up. What sparked my interest when I was a kid was the BBS and being a Sys/Op.”

Tessa Thornton (@tessthornton| http://tessathornton.com)
Freelance designer and developer

What are you passionate about? ”I’m passionate about technology and all things web-related, but I’m also very interested and involved in issues of gender equality and politics.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? “I first got involved by mentoring at the Girls Learning Code summer camp, which allowed me to combine my loves for coding, teaching, working with kids, and getting girls involved in the tech industry.”

Ben Fox (@benjaminefox| http://www.jauntmedia.com)
Owner, business development, and lead project manager at Jaunt Media

What are you passionate about? ”Education,the web, helping small business and individuals get online by simplifying the process”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? “I’ve always been the “go to” guy when it came to tech or web support at home and at work and I really enjoy it. I was looking for a way to get involved in doing the same in the community and LLC presented that option.”

Max Barkley (http://www.scratchvox.ca)
Math and Computer Science student + spare time webmaster for ScratchVox

What are you passionate about? ”I’m in school right now, and I love my program. But when I need a break from that, I like to play guitar. Sometimes playing a song can undo the stress of a long day.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? “A friend on Facebook posted a link about Ladies Learning Code, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the service they were providing. In the past I’ve enjoyed tutoring people, so I was excited about getting involved somehow.”

Ana Grullon
Trade Floor Technology Consultant at Scotiabank

What are you passionate about?  “I am passionate about getting more women interested in Computer Science and related fields. Because of this I have gotten involved with both the Gr8 Designs for Gr8 Girls program and my university campus’ Mathematical and Computational Sciences society, in which I help organize social events in order to help first year students get acquainted with upper year students and faculty members.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Because we need more women in technology. I also believe that the skills obtained in these workshops are a great addition to anyone’s skill set, regardless of their career.”

Cynthia Ng (@TheRealArty| http://about.me/cynthiang)
Innovative Technologies Librarian. Basically, I review and implement whatever technology projects are needed or are useful for the Ryerson University community

What are you passionate about?  “Teaching, learning, and empowering others.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I think it’s a great cause, and involves great people.”

Pearl Chen (@pearlchen | Google+)
From LEDs to HTML, Android hacking to micro-controllers — Pearl Chen takes on a cross-disciplinary approach to her work.

What are you passionate about? “Making technology friendly and accessible for everyone.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? “As the first ever LLC lead instructor, I am constantly blown away from the energy coming from the organizers and students even after a year. Attendees crave learning and I’m happy to make sure they reach their goals.”

Gabe Sawhney (@gggg)
I’m a strategist and a creative technologist — I help my clients recognize how they’re affected by change, and help them design and prototype ways of responding.

What are you passionate about?  “Demystifying technology, and using it in community-positive ways.”

Garth Gutenberg (http://grinninggecko.com/)
Mobile, Video and WordPress team/technical lead at Postmedia

What are you passionate about?  “Technology! The progress of technology, building things (out of code), the impact of technology on our lives.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “My sister attended one of the sessions and spoke very highly of it. I enjoy giving back and using my expertise to help others.”

David Wolever (@wolever | http://blog.codekills.net)
Lead developer at Luminautics Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Python, software correctness, and motorcycles.”
Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code? “Because Laura voluntold me But, seriously: I like Python and I like teaching.”