Women Talk Tech

Reducing Income Inequality through Tech Education with Liz McGlennen

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On this week's episode of Women Talk Tech, Marie Wiese is joined by Liz McGlennen, Executive Director at TechFluent and the Co-Host of the Dynamics Hotdish Podcast. Tune in to hear Marie and Liz dicuss the exciting work being done at TechFluent, how to embrace discomfort, and the importance of filling your cup!

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Website: Womentalktech.co

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Connect with Liz: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mcglennen/

TechFluent: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techfluentacademy/

The Dynamics Hotdish Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75644826

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About the Episode 🎙️

In this episode of Women Talk Tech, host Marie Weiss interviews Liz McGlennen, founder of Tech Fluent, to discuss Liz's journey into the tech sector, her commitment to reducing income inequality through tech education, and the challenges and motivations of being a trailblazer in the industry. They explore Liz's background, the inception of Tech Fluent, and the importance of diversity and mentorship in tech.

Key Takeaways 💡
  • Liz McGlennen founded Tech Fluent to address income inequality by providing mentorship and training in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, despite not initially seeing herself in a tech career due to her background in fine arts and extracurricular activities.
  • Becoming a Microsoft MVP and co-hosting the podcast 'Hot Dish Dynamics' with Ashley Steiner, Liz has expanded her influence within the tech community.
  • Liz's motivation to start Tech Fluent stemmed from observing a lack of diversity in the tech industry and the challenges of finding diverse talent as a hiring manager.
  • Despite the challenges of starting and running a nonprofit, including managing volunteers and maintaining work-life balance, Liz remains committed to her mission of bringing more diverse voices into tech.
  • Liz's experience as a virtual teacher and consultant highlighted the challenges of student engagement and interaction, influencing her approach to creating more inclusive and engaging training opportunities.
  • The birth of Tech Fluent and the 'Hot Dish Dynamics' podcast during the pandemic showcases Liz's ability to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Liz's involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement reflects her commitment to creating training opportunities for underrepresented demographics in the tech industry.
  • Liz aims to enroll 100 people in Tech Fluent's program and offer specialized tracks for different areas of expertise, highlighting her goals for the future and the expansion of the organization.
  • Being a trailblazer involves starting something new, addressing unsolved problems, embracing discomfort, and balancing personal needs with the commitment to solving a problem.
  • Listeners can support Tech Fluent's mission by providing job opportunities for program participants, making financial contributions for certification vouchers and equipment, and volunteering in various roles.
  • Liz encourages others to follow their passion and take risks, emphasizing that the worst outcome is simply returning to the starting point, which underscores the importance of trying.
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    Women Talk TechBy Marie Wiese

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