Ladies Learning Code

Here are our Intro to WordPress (#2) Workshop Mentors

Well, here we are again. 2012 is off to a roaring start. Whoa. It is going to be a fun year.

To launch this exciting year, this coming Saturday marks the first “back by popular demand” workshop – Introduction to WordPress, with Wes Bos, and we are excited!

So, without further adieu, here are our mentors A big thanks to them all.

Lead Instructor: Wes Bos(@wes_bos | http://www.wesbos.com)
Self Employed Web Designer and Developer

What are you passionate about?  “From a high level, I’m super passionate about design, development, and business. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do all three as a career. From a technical standpoint, I spend most of my time working with JavaScript, PHP, and HTML5. I’ve been a WordPress developer for 5 years now and over the past year have been working a lot with HTML5, NodeJS and sprinkles of CSS3. New and open sources web technologies make me super excited and I can’t wait to see whats to come of the web in the next few years.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “All of the best things in my life are because of the community that surrounds them. With a group of people that are passionate about a certain topic, it fosters a community that allows for learning, sharing of knowledge and growth. I believe that sharing what you know with others is one of the best way to not only improve the community but also improve upon your skills. I’ve never taken a formal web development or design course and I haven’t read very many books. Everything I’ve learned comes from seemingly total strangers who offer up their time to help others learn. Passing this knowledge on is the obvious next step.”

Gavin Smith (@gavinsmith | http://gavinsmith.me )
Lead Front End Developer at Jet Cooper

What are you passionate about?  “Building interfaces and functional user experiences.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Heather attended one of Jet Cooper’s Show and Tell sessions – Kept an eye on it since then!”

Avery Swartz (@AverySwartz | http://averyswartz.com/ )
Independent Web Designer and Front-End Developer

What are you passionate about?  “Professionally, I’m most passionate about helping my clients understand the web. And making kickass websites for them. Personally, I’m most passionate about my family (including my baby girl!) and travel.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I want to see more women in technology! I’m often lonely as the only girl in the room. I’ve also heard that the Ladies Learning Code events are lots of fun, so I want to join in and meet new people.”

Mohammad Jangda (@mjangdar | http://digitalize.ca )
I wrangle code and provide support for VIP developers on WordPress.com at Automattic

What are you passionate about?  “Finding new challenges and finding ways to overcome them.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “We need more women in tech. Without them, we miss out on much. Plus, coding is fun. Teaching people to code is even more fun!”

Jenny Zhang (@phirephoenix | http://www.phirephoenix.com )
Auditor at Big Accounting Firm

What are you passionate about?  “Writing about everything and anything that interests me – this includes silly stories, attempts at novels, and most recently, lengthy blog posts about social issues and the role of technology in our lives.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I dabble in web development beceause I find coding and building a page from scratch to be really rewarding, and I’d like to help bring that experience to other women who may not have thought to get involved in something like this otherwise. Also, I would really like to meet other likeminded geeks who could help me along in my attempts to learn more code myself.”

Damyan Petkov (@damyanmp | www.damyanpetkov.com | www.damyanphotography.com)
Software Developer at Ryerson Digital Media Zone

What are you passionate about?  “Beautiful design and Photography.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I decided to help out because I believe that there is an existing gap between software developers and other industries. There is a certain stigma associated with developers and I would like to change that.”

Kandirra Wilson (@kandirra  | http://www.kandirra.com)
Program Coordinator: Web design, project coordination, communications, multi-media production in support of professional development programs at the Centre for the Support of Teaching, York University.

What are you passionate about?  “Creative means of communication. I’m an ideas person.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I decided to get involved because of my love for making connections, networking, and creating community support that facilitates learning and knowledge sharing; something we are most in need of in an industry where women are under-represented.”

Peter Newhook (@p337er  | http://peternewhook.com)
Business Analyst at Cineplex Entertainment “I split my time between automating forms and workflows using SharePoint and designing reports and visualizations that provide new ways to look at numbers.”

What are you passionate about?  “Making enterprise software usable and enjoyable. When I’m not in front of a monitor, I’m finding a way to get on a bike.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Women are going to look at problems differently than men will, and come up with different solutions. As an industry we need more well trained women writing code.”

Vanda Marasan (@vandamar  | http://vandamar.com)
Graphic Designer & Art Direction

What are you passionate about? ”I have many loves, including design, development and business. I am always excited to meet good people and have interesting conversations.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I feel there is a lack of women leaders and mentors in the web design and tech industries, and I would like to help close the gap.”

Nadine Lessio (http://nadinelessio.com/)
Freelancer – Designing websites for mostly independent creatives

What are you passionate about? ”Cycling / Architecture / Travel”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I wanted to give something back and help people get started.”

Gabriel Mansour (@gabrielmansour | http://gabrielmansour.com/ )
Freelance Web Designer & Developer

What are you passionate about?  “Web Standards. Ruby is also pretty darn fun. And Improv (not technology-related, but hey).”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I think LLC’s a fantastic initiative and I want to see more ladies getting involved in the tech space, or at least learning how to write program, and it’s not as daunting as it may appear.”

Dwayne Forde (@dwayneforde )
Software Architect at Xtreme Labs

What are you passionate about?  “Coding Creating innovative software that pushes technology past its limits and encourages innovation.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I like teaching people who are willing to learn. I usually take any chance I can get to teach/learn someone something new.”

Ivonne Karamoy (@ivonnekn  | http://ivonnekaramoy.com)
Freelance Designer and Developer (art direction, graphic design, web/interactive/UI/UX design & development, illustration)

What are you passionate about?  “Great design in any shape or form, using technology and design to enrich a person’s experience, collaboration and learning in technology and creativity in all forms. I’m also passionate about travelling, good food, and my relationship with others, especially my family and friends.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I stumbled upon Ladies Learning Code and thought it was such a great idea, I bookmarked it. Shortly after I read some articles about the shortage of females in technology programs and positions and I thought that was unfortunate. I remember being one of a handful of women in my Computer Science program but I thought things had progressed since. That’s when I knew I had to get involved with LLC. I also like that at it’s core, it’s about people in the industry (male or female) helping women who are willing to learn and have a craving for it.”

Anne Thomas (@AlfalfaAnne | annethomasdesign.com)
Front-End Web Developer at Grip Limited

What are you passionate about?  “UX Design / WordPress / Horses.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Love the idea / Love to help / Love to meet awesome people.”

Linn Øyen Farley (@Linndelicate | http://drollic.net)
Freelance web designer – Building websites from scratch for a variety of fellow freelancers, small businesses and arts workers

What are you passionate about?  “Empowering website owners to get their hands dirty with their own sites (and I often use WordPress as a means to that end!). On my free time: theatre tech of all kinds.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I had a fantastic time at the Ruby workshop as a learner, and jumped at the chance to help out with a subject I work with on a daily basis. I’m entirely self-taught and owe a lot to the amazing web community for that, so I’m excited for the opportunity to start paying it forward.”

Conrad Muad (@radicalradical | http://www.radicalradical.com/)
Independent Contractor – Web Developer, front end and server side

What are you passionate about?  “Usability, user experience, ease of use.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “It is awesome ”

Ameena Philips (@ameenaphilips | ameenaphilips.com)
Php Web Developer (html emails, landing pages, blogs) at WebCanada Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Web development and yes, WordPress!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Being the only female web developer at my company, I’m lonely and would love to see more women out there. Also, I’m very excited about helping someone else have fun with web development.”

Andy McIlwain (@andymci | http://www.andymci.com)
In-house Web Specialist at Quartet Service Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “Entrepreneurship!”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I love WordPress, and I love introducing others to WordPress. It’s an amazing tool.”

Cristina Graci (@Cryssi996 | http://www.obsessivecompulsive.me)
Project Manager at TPM Communications – Managing the production of websites and multimedia projects for Toyota Canada Inc.

What are you passionate about?  “I am passionate about technology and figuring out how things work. I love learning new things and it amazes me that a simple google search can be the greatest teacher. Over the last year I’ve also mixed in crafts/fashion into my passion, and I’ve recently become a little obsessive over nail art.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I originally wanted to attend the WordPress session because it seemed like a great way to meet people with similar interests and motivate me to start developing as a hobby again. Once I found out that I was better suited as a mentor, I jumped at the opportunity. With mentoring I get the added bonus of helping people become passionate about the web, and facing their development fears.”

Emir Hasanbegovic (@PhiGammEmir | http://www.emirweb.com)
Agile Engineer at Xtreme Labs Inc.

This is Emir’s 3rd time instructing Ladies Learning Code!

What are you passionate about?  “I am all about developing core infrastructures that can be used as tools over and over again. Building stronger application cores allows for better end-user experience and development tools. I love to look at technology from the inside out.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I strongly believe in the power of learning. Learning is super, super fun and I want to help others have the same experience with learning technology as I have.”

Gavin Lobo (http://www.rabidgeek.net)
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, grad student, research assistant, tutorial instructor

This is Gavin’s 3rd time instructing Ladies Learning Code!

What are you passionate about?  “Teaching, Science, Mathematics and Programming”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “Coding is so much fun! More women should get involved!”

Laurie M. Rauch (@lauriemrauch | http://www.lauriemrauch.com)
Owner and Chief Code Nerd at Elle Media

This is Laurie’s 2nd time instructing Ladies Learning Code!

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?

What are you passionate about?  “I am passionate about good, semantic, valid code. There’s something just so awesome about how a couple of lines of code can so dramatically transform a site and make it come together the way you want it to. Though I’ve also been known to get a little passionate about my TV, a cute purse, or the perfect pair of shoes. ”

Ibrahim Muhammad (@ibrahimm | http://www.ibslab.me)
Ruby on Rails Developer at StokFridge

What are you passionate about?  “It is fun to teach and meet people who like technology.”

Why did you get involved with Ladies Learning Code?  “I am really passionate about building things, whether its robots, aircrafts, websites or applications.”

 

These people make us so very happy

We are excited to see some of our Ladies Learning Code friends this Saturday.

For more info about Ladies Learning Code, follow us on Twitter or check out our Facebook Page. If you’d like to join our email list, click here or to volunteer as a Mentor, join our developer email list