We’re thrilled to have partnered with Triangirls for #SMRmay23 and can’t wait for you to meet the inspiring women behind the platform on Saturday 13 May! We caught up with the team to find out a little more about what they’re all about.
What is Triangirls all about?
We’re all about bringing together women and non-binary folks in the tech scene. We host all sorts of events, like panels, workshops, and fireside chats, where we talk about things that matter to us – from imposter syndrome and confidence to public speaking, negotiating pay, and being great leaders.
We’ve come a long way over the past five years. What started as just a few friends hanging out, growing into meetups with 20 people in a cafe to a well-known group in the industry with well over 100 people at our sold-out events. It’s been an amazing journey, and we’re excited to see what’s next!
Who are the faces behind Triangirls + what’s your background?
Triangirls is run by a team of passionate volunteers, including Rachael Grocott, Liz Hamburger, Katrina Dargel, and Liv Denyer. We’re a diverse group made up of designers, product managers, and UX researchers, but we all share the same goal: empowering women in tech to have fulfilling careers and making sure they get paid what they truly deserve!
The lovely Triangirls team
What made you get into tech? And why did you pick the job that you do?
Rach: I studied interaction design at uni after always being artistic but wanting to apply my creativity to a fun field.
Liz: Getting into tech happened by accident. I was originally focused on graphic and web design. Early in my career I had the chance to help out on a project for Barclay’s, where we were creating a new digital service. That experience made me realise how much I enjoyed digital product design. I found it fascinating to learn about people, businesses, and how technology could be used to improve their lives.
Katrina: Unexpectedly, I stumbled upon the world of tech. After I graduated from university, I wasn’t certain which career path to follow. I worked a few internships and marketing positions, and eventually landed a job at General Assembly, a tech school. It was great to see the tech events they held for the public, and the atmosphere was so much more open compared to other, more traditional industries. After being a user tester for the products created by the students, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in UX Design and signed up for the program. I’ve been doing it ever since.
Liv: My Dad works in tech and taught me to program and encouraged me to take an interest in the industry while I was growing up. At school I was always most interested in languages and literature – I did my degree in linguistics – and so when I found product management it was the perfect blend of communication, writing, and tech.
Can you tell us about some of the ways you help people through the Triangirls community?
We’ve built a community that supports and empowers women and non-binary folks in the tech world to make sure our community members feel welcome and inspired to grow.
We’re a place where women in tech can see what’s possible for them and share their experiences with each other. It’s all about learning and growing together. We love connecting people. We help match up those who are looking for work with companies that are hiring, creating new opportunities for our members.
We are always here to listen, offer advice and help navigate things like money matters (and how to negotiate a well-deserved pay rise!)
In the end, Triangirls is all about creating a space where women and non-binary people can feel confident and ready to take on the tech industry.
Why + how can people join your community or get involved?
If you’re looking to connect with like-minded women and non-binary individuals in tech, learn from one another, and be part of a supportive and empowering environment then there are lots of ways that people can get involved and join our community.
The best way to stay informed about our events and the latest news is to sign up for our newsletter. You’ll receive updates on upcoming activities and other relevant information directly in your inbox. Just head over to our website and subscribe or join directly via SubStack.
If newsletters aren’t your thing then follow us on social media. We’re active on platforms like Twitter and Instagram as @triangirlsocial, where we share updates, news, and highlights from our events. It’s a fantastic way to engage with the community and join the conversation with fellow tech enthusiasts.
Although women in tech have made important strides in recent years, there’s still a way to go to achieve gender equality in the industry. Are there any companies or initiatives you’ve come across who are leading the way in particular?
Any companies who take the initiative to sponsor a community for underrepresented folk in tech are already doing more than most. By putting money where their mouth is, it should show that they actually support and care about DE&I rather than just paying lip service. We’ve partnered with some great companies in the past, such as Beamery, Samsara, Compare the Market, BrainStation, Cleo to name a few.
There are several initiatives specifically dedicated to empowering women and other underrepresented groups in tech. Programs like Coding Black Females, Women Who Code, BrainStation’s Women in Technology Scholarship and Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship focus on providing education, mentorship, and networking opportunities to foster a diverse talent pipeline. Organisations like AnitaB.org also work to celebrate and highlight the achievements of women in technology, while simultaneously advocating for greater inclusivity in the industry.
What can we expect from you at SMR?
You can count on the Triangirls team to be there with smiles and friendly faces, ready to chat and answer any questions you’ve got about our community. We’re also more than happy to share some career advice for women and non-binary folks in tech, too. Our team has a bunch of different experiences in the industry, so we’ve got plenty of tips and insights to help you figure out your career path.
Oh, and we’ll have some awesome swag for you! Swing by our booth, say hi, and grab some cool Triangirls merch to show your support for what we’re all about.
What can we expect from you in the future?
You can expect even more exciting events and initiatives from Triangirls. We’re committed to continually growing and evolving to better serve our community. This includes organising a variety of events like panels, workshops, and individual talks, all designed to help empower and support women and non-binary individuals in tech.
At the end of the day, our community is at the heart of everything we do. We’re always open to suggestions and new ideas for events or topics that address the needs and interests of our members. So, if you have an idea for a talk, workshop, or would like to host an event, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’d love to collaborate and make it happen!
We can’t wait to meet you at SMR and share everything Triangirls has to offer. So come on over for a chat, some helpful advice, and a bit of fun swag!