About us
Michigan Council of Women in Technology
Our vision is simple
Every day we work toward our mission to inspire and grow women in technology. A diverse tech workforce is a vital part of Michigan's transformation, and we strive to engage and retain female professionals here.
Make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology. At MCWT, we spark students' technology interest through robotics, website design competitions, virtual camps, and more.
In our network, you'll meet executives, students, business owners, entrepreneurs, and others dedicated to a thriving technology community. Through mentoring, leadership development, networking, and technology experiences for all career cycles — from youth summer camps, to college and graduate school scholarships, to professional networking events — we are inspiring and nurturing technologically oriented women. What began in 2000 as a career-focused group for women in the field has since evolved into a multi-faceted philanthropic organization committed to engaging current and future technology leaders.
Inspiring the women of tomorrow, today
An energetic and forward-thinking team powers us — primarily volunteers working full-time jobs and raising families, united by a passion for improving the state of women in technology in Michigan. Our board of directors provides strategic decision-making, our advisory board and chief mission officers provide oversight and sponsorship, and our executive director and staff ensure quality and impact in all we do.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets the vision and strategy for the council and its foundation, and creates and executes the plans and programs that ensure we achieve our objectives.
Anita Klopfenstein
President — Little Caesars
Christine Shook
Vice President — Consumers Energy
Ellece Campbell
Secretary — Workday
Susan Boyd
Treasurer — ChangeCanvas Partners
Beckie Riss
Member at Large — Ford Motor Company
Loretta Alexander
Director — MCWT Foundation
Feei Ang
Director — University of Michigan Credit Union
Andre Arbelaez
Director — HC3
Jill Bowen
Director — Dow
Priya Gurumurthy
Director — Tenneco
Patrece Hamblin
Director — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Bhavani Koneru
Director — Oakland University
Amy Palazzolo
Director — KLA Services
Diane Smith
Director — ChoiceTel
Cortney Ventrone
Director — AHEAD
Noha White
Director — Daimler Truck
Loretta Yakima
Director — AlixPartners
Foundation Team
Our executive director and staff support our work to ensure quality and impact in all we do.
Loretta Alexander
Interim Executive Director
Stacey DeRoche
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Tammy Doroshewitz
Program Specialist
Brittany Jackson
Finance & Administration Lead
Gina Kolarchick
Event Manager
Jill Kummer
Marketing & Communications Manager
Carmela McTyre
Program Manager, K-12
Chris Parker
Technology Operations Manager
Karen Rasche
Program Manager, Geographic Expansion
Nikki Ventimiglia
Office Operations
Nicola White
K-12 Program Manager
Guidance from across Michigan's tech industry
The Advisory Board provides strategic oversight and supports sponsorship of the organization — as well as events and membership — from within their own organizations. They represent a range of business interests from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies.
- Marcy FarrellCo-Lead — Vast Data
- Chelsea HurstCo-Lead — Dow
- Grace HansenPast President
- Melanie KalmarPast President
- Chris RydzewskiPast Executive Director
- Jen TrammellAdvizex
- Dennis CallaghanAHEAD
- Andrea KappeliAlixPartners
- Jessica GruenbergAlly
- Tiffany JonesAlly
- Jane SydlowskiAMI Strategies
- Smiti MajumdarAmway
- Robert MorgnerArista
- Vijaya NeelaaThingz
- Amy KrauseBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Shruthi RaghuprakashBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Angela WilburnBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Juman Doleh-AlomaryBorgWarner
- Laura SanchezBorgWarner
- Joe LuginskiChoiceTel
- Dan CachiaCMK Resources
- Stacey FolsomConsumers Energy
- Chris DebenhamConsumers Energy
- Tom DoaneCXO Exchange
- Andrea SiudaraDana
- James WhiteData Intensity
- Amy PetersDow
- Rebecca BrayEpitec / Past President
- Jackie KnittelFastek
- Carey PachlaFastTek Global / Past President
- Lisa SpeaksFastTek
- Karen SchankinFlagstar Bank
- Paula StolarFlagstar Bank
- Leena DeshpandeFord Motor Company
- Cynthia GumbsFord Motor Company
- Carla HernandezFord Motor Company
- Sharmishta RoyFord Motor Company
- Rehka WunnavaFord Motor Company
- Jan RishoiFortinet
- Rachel CurryGeneral Motors
- Petic LaneGeneral Motors
- Jennifer SzkatulskiImmersive Labs
- Jay ModhIntuitive.AI
- Melinda Ann O'NeillIsland
- Mona DeliwalaJackson
- Jennifer ChartersLincoln Financial / Past President
- Callie KimbleLittle Caesars Enterprises
- Stephanie KuczynskiLittle Caesars Enterprises
- Tondria CantyMasco
- Judy AsherMcKesson / Past President
- Joey PaulNWN Carousel
- Stephanie GehaPure Storage
- Rajani SinhaSalesforce / Past President
- Kiran SekhriSIM Detroit
- Lori TirpakSIM Detroit
- Cindy SwiantekSofttek
- Jennifer KwapisSlalom
- Kristen SchweitzerSlalom
- Tiauna RossStryker Corporation
- Andrew RennakerTanium
- Rob ForceTorq
- Shatesha CarterUnited Wholesale Mortgage
- Erika KindlimannUnited Wholesale Mortgage
- Mike HemmingsenVervint
- Sarah BerendsenWhirlpool Corporation
- Lakshmi GudimellaWhirlpool Corporation
- Pooja PuranikWhirlpool Corporation
- Connie ComeauWorkday
- Jill TurpinWorkday / Past President
- Janette BarrettoYazaki
- George FishYoung Basile
- Ryan McClearyYoung Basile
- Jeff JonesZscaler
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