Persian Women In Tech

03/30/2026

03/23/2026

We hope everyone enjoyed joining us this past Friday March 20th to observe & celebrate Nowruz at San Francisco City Hall. We are honored, our founder & CEO receive the official Proclamation from the Mayor of San Francisco , declaring March 20th as Nowruz Day in the City of San Francisco.

This moment represents more than recognition—it is a reflection of our community’s resilience, cultural richness, and enduring contributions.

For over two decades, Nowruz has been observed at San Francisco City Hall, and it is a privilege to continue this tradition—elevating and honoring a 3,000-year-old celebration shared by over 300 million people around the world.

A meaningful step forward in ensuring our heritage is seen, acknowledged, and celebrated at the heart of this city. #2026

03/10/2026

We look forward to hosting our Toronto STEM community tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11th co-hosted in partnership with Deloitte Canada from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Deloitte HQ in Toronto.

RSVP: https://womenaitmarch2026toronto.eventbrite.com

Meet our panelist: Neima Shahidy, Vice President of Product and Partnerships - Jerry

Neima Shahidy is the Vice President of Product and Partnerships at Jerry, an AI-driven insurtech startup transforming how consumers access and experience insurance. She leads product strategy and strategic partnerships that accelerate growth, deepen customer value, and expand Jerry’s ecosystem across technology and insurance.

With a proven track record of building high-impact collaborations across leading technology organizations - including Microsoft and Amazon - as well as OEMs and retailers, Neima now focuses on partnerships with technology innovators and insurance carriers to drive the next wave of digital transformation in the industry.

Neima believes the future of technology depends on who gets to build it. She is committed to mentoring women in leadership and championing environments where diverse voices shape the next wave of innovation.

03/09/2026

Toronto, T-minus 2days to our event this Wednesday, March 11th co-hosted in partnership with Deloitte Canada from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Deloitte HQ in Toronto.

RSVP: https://womenaitmarch2026toronto.eventbrite.com

Meet our panelist: Dina Kamal, Field CTO - DataBahn.ai

Dina Kamal is the field CTO at DataBahn.ai. Dina has more than 25 years of experience consulting, implementing and driving large scale technology transformations, with focus on artificial intelligence and cyber security at fortune 500 organizations and large public sector organizations across the world.

Before joining Data Bahn, Dina was a senior partner at Deloitte Canada, where she led the AI product and data science teams, in addition to leading Deloitte’s global threat management team and many large-scale cyber AI and tech transformations.

Dina is an active speaker in conferences on industry trends and best practices on cyber security and artificial intelligence.
WoMENAIT

03/06/2026

Toronto, Happy Women’s History Month! We can’t wait to host you next week Wednesday March 11th co-hosted in partnership with Deloitte Canada from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Deloitte HQ in Toronto.

RSVP: https://womenaitmarch2026toronto.eventbrite.com

Meet our panelist: Roshanak (Ro) Houmanfar, Sr. Director - CIBC

Ro Houmanfar leads CIBC’s Operations AI team, driving innovative initiatives such as the DocuMind projects. With over 10 years of experience in advanced analytics and data-driven strategy, Ro specializes in implementing innovative AI solutions and products that unlock measurable business value.

Prior to joining CIBC, she was a Senior Technology Strategist at Microsoft, where she aligned customer priorities with emerging technologies to accelerate digital transformation. She also served as VP of Product at Integrate.ai, focusing on building enterprise products powered by privacy-preserving machine learning.

Ro is passionate about experimentation—both in technology and in life—and brings a dynamic, hands-on approach to AI leadership.

03/06/2026

Toronto mark your calendar! In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we would like to invite you to our next in-person event, co-hosted in partnership with Deloitte Canada, on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Deloitte HQ in Toronto.

This special event is presented in collaboration with the MENA Network and Women’s Impact Network, two of Deloitte Canada’s Employee Resource Groups, and will feature a Fireside Chat and a compelling panel discussion on “GenAI Unleashed: Re-Imagining Industry Impact.”

RSVP: https://womenaitmarch2026toronto.eventbrite.com

Meet our panelist: Azin Dehmoobad Sharifabadi, Partner - Deloitte

An Engineering Partner at Deloitte, Azin leads technology delivery for clients in the Government of Canada and the Financial Services Industry (FSI).

With a strong foundation in software engineering, she has guided multi-year, multi-million dollar digital and core transformation projects, helping organizations modernize business critical systems and improve service delivery with meaningful impact on Canadian Citizens lives.

Her hands-on technical expertise, combined with strategic leadership, has enabled her to drive complex initiatives from inception to successful implementation.

Passionate about the advancement of women in technology, Azin is committed to mentoring emerging leaders and fostering an inclusive environment within the industry.

She believes in the power of technology to create positive change and is dedicated to empowering diverse teams to innovate and excel.

03/02/2026

Happy Women’s History Month! Toronto we are heading your way! 🎉

In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we would like to invite you to our next in-person event, co-hosted in partnership with Deloitte Canada, on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Deloitte HQ in Toronto.

📍 Co-hosted in partnership w/ Deloitte Canada
📅 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Deloitte HQ, Toronto

RSVP: https://womenaitmarch2026toronto.eventbrite.com

Meet our moderator: Tina Hessami, General Counsel - SAP

Tina is a general counsel within Global Regulatory Legal office of SAP. In her current role, she advises on cybersecurity and AI regulation and its impact to her organization.

Tina also provided in-house advisory services on global cyber security, privacy and data protection in her previous roles at the City of Toronto, Deloitte Risk Advisory, and the government of Ontario (Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement).

She advises on emerging laws in cybersecurity and AI and helps her clients establish solutions that mitigate their exposure to risk and liability.

Tina was a speaker at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Canadian Privacy Symposium in 2019 where she spoke on emerging international privacy laws and how they impact Canadian organizations. In February 2018 Tina was awarded the rising star leadership award by the Iranian Canadian Congress for making outstanding contributions to the Iranian-Canadian Community.

She also spearheaded the 1st award ceremony initiative as part of Irian Women’s Organization of Ontario 2017 White Dove fundraising gala.

Tina was also a Board Member of the Iranian-Canadian Legal Professional in 2016.

Tina holds a JD from the University of Windsor Law, a Masters in Management and Innovation from University of Toronto, and a Bachelors in Health Science from McMaster University.

She is a licensed Ontario lawyer, called to the Bar in 2015.

03/02/2026

T-minus 10Days Toronto! 🎉
In celebration of Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day in March, we invite you to an inspiring evening of conversation and connection in Toronto. As AI reshapes industries and economies at unprecedented speed, we will explore how inclusive leadership, access to capital, and innovation ecosystems must evolve to ensure diverse founders and communities are not left behind — but positioned to lead.

Join us for a powerful fireside chat: “AI & Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Redefining Access, Leadership & Innovation”

Meet our speaker: Fatiha Senhaji (PL.Fin), Vice President, Inclusive Entrepreneurship – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC):

Fatiha Senhaji is Vice President, Inclusive Entrepreneurship at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Trilingual and award-winning, Fatiha is
recognized for her expertise in business development, risk management, and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Since joining BDC in June 2023, she has led the bank’s national strategy to break down barriers and support underserved and diverse entrepreneurs.

Her team works across Canada to address challenges such as unconscious bias, discrimination, and lack of access to funding and networks.

Previously, Fatiha held senior roles at BMO Financial Group, including National Director, Industry and Zero Barriers to Business Programs, and Vice President, Treasury and Payment Solutions. As a first-generation Canadian of Moroccan descent, she brings a unique perspective on bias and the experiences of underrepresented groups.

Fatiha is deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in Canada’s entrepreneurial communities, ensuring equal access to financing, resources, and advice.

Her passion is helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses and thrive. Fatiha believes that by working together, we can create opportunities for all, empower women and diverse leaders, and drive meaningful change in the business landscape.

📍 Co-hosted in partnership w/ Deloitte Canada
📅 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Deloitte HQ, Toronto

RSVP: https://womenaitmarch2026toronto.eventbrite.com

03/02/2026

Dear Toronto PWIT Community,
In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we would like to invite you to our next in-person event, co-hosted in partnership with Deloitte Canada, on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Deloitte HQ in Toronto.

This special event is presented in collaboration with the MENA Network and Women’s Impact Network, two of Deloitte Canada’s Employee Resource Groups, and will feature a Fireside Chat and a compelling panel discussion on “GenAI Unleashed: Re-Imagining Industry Impact.”

As we honor the achievements and leadership of women across industries, this discussion will spotlight how Generative AI is transforming the future of work, innovation, and opportunity—and how women leaders are shaping this evolution.

Join us for an inspiring evening of conversation, learning, and community as trailblazing women in tech share their journeys, insights, and visions for the future.

✨ Speaker lineup ✨
Fireside chat: Sepideh Nasiri, Founder & CEO of WoMENAIT in conversation with Fatiha Senhaji (PL.Fin), Vice President of Inclusive Entrepreneurship - BDC

Panel discussion on: “GenAI Unleashed: Re-Imagining Industry Impact.”
moderated by: Tina Hessami, Counsel General - SAP
Panelists:
Azin Dehmoobad, Partner - Deloitte Canada
Dina Kamal, Field CTP - DataBahn.ai
Neima Shahidy, Vice President - Jerry
Roshanak Houmanfar, Senior Director - CIBC

Who should attend:
This event is ideal for anyone eager to gain insights, inspiration, and professional connections within the tech and innovation space. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate, connect, and engage with leaders driving meaningful change.

Our events are gender-inclusive and open to all in Tech (STEM). All programming will be conducted in English.

*For any inquiries, please email our Toronto Team via [email protected]

03/01/2026

Women’s History Month begins today.

At PWIT, we recognize that this is more than a moment of reflection — it is a call to leadership.

We are living through a pivotal chapter in history. Climate change. Economic insecurity. Healthcare disparities. Threats to democratic participation. These challenges are deeply interconnected — and women, particularly those from marginalized communities, experience their impacts most acutely.

And yet — women are not only navigating these systems.
We are redesigning them.

This year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” expands sustainability beyond environmental conversations. Sustainability means:

• Financial sustainability
• Community resilience
• Leadership succession
• Intergenerational equity
• Systems that support both people and planet

From advancing green technologies to driving inclusive entrepreneurship, from strengthening education systems to building civic power — women are creating the blueprint for lasting transformation.

At PWIT, our commitment this month is clear:

✨ Honor the women leading across industries and movements
✨ Educate on the historic and present-day impact of women shaping sustainable change
✨ Inspire action toward equity, innovation, and justice
✨ Connect across generations and geographies
✨ Envision a future where women’s leadership is central to thriving communities

The future is not something we wait for.
It is something we build.

And women are leading the way.

InclusiveLeadership