ThinkFest Snapshot: Tracey Welson-Rossman

We’re rounding up the reasons Philly Mag readers should not miss ThinkFest, our week-long event connecting the brightest minds and most innovative ideas in Philadelphia. 

“As a gender, [women] are not economically participating in a field [technology] that provides a good living,” says Tracey Welson-Rossman.

According to Welson-Rossman, a founder of TechGirlz and chief marketing officer for Chariot Solutions, there is a severe shortage of qualified technologists across the nation, with a lack of participation from women.

Welson-Rossman is also one of the founding board members of PhillyStartup Leaders and was recently named one of the 40 Women To Watch Over 40. She is recognized for her role in helping to raise the tech profile of women and Philadelphia. The Philly-native claims change can occur by “[looking] at younger women as means for filing the pipeline,” starting with the city’s “committed community.”

To futher promote change, Welson-Rossman is currently creating an “operational playbook” that will share TechGirlz’s curriculum with other organizations. Welson-Rossman, who lives, breathes and eats technology, is also searching for more instructors for TechShopz, free tech workshops rendered toward middle school girls.

You can catch Welson-Rossman’s talk, “Why Women Are The Future of Tech,” one of 17 idea-speaking sessions during ThinkFest’s Main Event, on Saturday, November 9th, at The Kimmel Center.

Learn more about ThinkFest (featuring keynote speaker Chris Matthews) and buy your tickets now.