Breaking Barriers: Women in Tech and Venture Capital

Key Discussion Points:

Current State of Gender Diversity in Tech and Venture Capital

During this virtual fireside chat with Vera Futorjanski, Sameer will introduce Vera and start by providing an overview of the latest statistics and trends concerning gender diversity in the Tech & VC fields. We'll look at areas where we've seen improvement and places where significant disparities still exist.

Impact of Diversity on Innovation

We'll explore how diversity directly influences innovation and the performance of companies. It's crucial to understand the value that varied perspectives bring to the table.

Vera's Personal Experiences and Challenges

Vera will share her personal journey and the unique challenges she has faced as a woman in tech and venture capital. From dealing with biases to overcoming networking hurdles, she will discuss the obstacles that often come her way and the lessons learned in navigating them.

Strategies for Fostering Greater Inclusion and Support

Vera will also offer practical advice for other women aiming to enter and excel in these industries. She will highlight effective initiatives and programs that support women, discuss the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and a supportive community, with her own Beyond Global Community initiative, and examine actionable steps that companies and investors can take to foster inclusive environments.

Future Outlook and Call to Action

Lastly, Vera will share her vision for the future roles of women in tech and venture capital by defining key actions that both individuals and organizations can undertake to promote gender diversity to engage, advocate, and help build a more inclusive industry.

About Vera Futorjanski:

Vera is a foresight strategist, innovator, and investor with over a decade of experience building entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Middle East. Started at Rocket Internet, founded a successful venture in the UAE, quickly gained expertise in investor relations and fundraising. Transitioned to the Dubai Government, where she was in charge of multi stakeholder engagement globally at the Dubai Future Foundation, Vera led pioneering innovation initiatives, supporting the city of Dubai in the transition from an oil-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. Later, as a Venture Capitalist and Innovation Director at 500 Global, Vera established robust relations with Venture Capital and Sovereign Wealth Funds in the Middle East and led initiatives including launching the first international accelerator in Saudi Arabia and integrating Stanford's VC investor education locally. 

Presently, she heads her innovation advisory firm, offering strategic insights on navigating the current uncertainty and complex landscapes. And in addition to that, Vera runs a global community for women called Beyond, to bring together diverse women over curated dinner conversations. Vera has lived in 10 countries and is fluent in five languages.

Co-Host and Moderator

Audrey R. Hametner - CEO The Bedrock Program | COO Upstrive | Speaker| 2023 MENA 40 over 40 | Adjunct Lecturer | Board Member | Award-winning Coach | Operations, Governance, Risk, ESG & DEI Strategic Advisor

Audrey, a visionary leader dedicated to profoundly impacting the world of work and inspiring the next generation through values-driven engagement. With over 25 years of experience in leading and managing global teams, Audrey has consistently driven operational excellence and strategic business growth across various organizations. She is an expert in organizational wellbeing, a master NLP practitioner, an associate certified coach, and holds a diploma in CSR strategy and implementation.

Audrey’s passion for fostering significant change in individuals' lives, particularly in boosting self-confidence, enhancing mental agility, and future planning, inspired her to create The Bedrock Program. This initiative specializes in career and confidence development for teens and young adults. Audrey also imparts her extensive knowledge and insights as a visiting, guest, and adjunct lecturer.

In addition to her educational roles, Audrey serves as a Non-Executive Director (NED) for several organizations, advising on operations, governance, risk, ESG, and DEI issues. An award-winning coach, dynamic speaker, and strategic advisor, Audrey thrives on tackling and solving exciting challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain from her remarkable expertise and experience!