Dear PDXWIT, I love you!
Shoutout to the nonprofit that brightens my life, continuously teaches me, and has expanded my community and friend group, all while doing the work to dismantle inequities in the tech sector!
PDXWIT relies on sponsorship and donations to do the incredible work of helping create a more inclusive, equitable tech industry, and this year has been a tough one. If you’re able, please consider donating today. If you cannot donate, please nominate us for this grant, and share this article with your networks! Thank you!
Dear PDXWIT,
I never believed in love at first sight, but as I reflect on my immediate connection with you, this may be what it was! 🥰
I remember being skeptical about yet another networking event, especially feeling hesitant about a networking event specifically for people in tech. My experience with other tech-sector networking events usually made me cringe.
Pleasantly surprised, I found PDXWIT’s event SO WELCOMING, filled with awesome people who made me feel like I was in the right place. By the time I left, I’d made new acquaintances — who eventually became friends — and I knew I wanted to take things to the next level and get involved with the nonprofit.
Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of quality time together! I have emceed events, been a guest speaker, and been a mentor in the mentoring program, which involved matching me and my skillset with a fabulous mentee. I was interviewed on the PDXWIT podcast to talk about my unconventional path into tech, and a few years ago, I joined the board as the treasurer. I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious!
I am writing this gushy love note and posting it publicly to the internet to express my heartfelt admiration and deep-seated love for PDXWIT for all to see! You’re an organization that has touched my life and so many others in hard-to-articulate ways.
As a longtime member and current board treasurer, I have witnessed the relentless work that PDXWIT has undertaken to achieve its mission of building a better tech industry by dismantling inequities, creating access, and fueling belonging. I marvel at the commitment to this mission and see it at every touchpoint. PDXWIT, you inspire me!
The commitment to nurturing talent and fostering connections has profoundly impacted the lives of so many, and I am genuinely grateful to be a part of this journey. My mentee and I are celebrating 3+ years of working together and many outstanding achievements accomplished!
Partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations demonstrate your dedication to a collective, community-centered approach. These collaborations showcase the power of unity in effecting positive change. It’s encouraging to see PDXWIT working hand in hand with other organizations to create a more inclusive and equitable tech industry.
What makes my association with PDXWIT even more special are the incredible people I have met through virtual and in-person events and programming. Your gatherings have introduced me to a diverse and passionate community of individuals who share a common goal: to make the tech industry better, fairer, and more welcoming to everyone. The relationships I’ve formed with these fantastic humans are invaluable, and my life is richer because of them!
My love for PDXWIT reflects the significant impact the organization has had on my life and the lives of countless others. The work, the mentorship, the communities served, and the cultivated partnerships all contribute to building a tech industry that welcomes everyone. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences you’ve given me, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful journey together.
PDXWIT, you have given me so much, and I want to give back. I know you rely on sponsorship to do all your remarkable things, so I will help spread the word and make it easy for others who love you and the mission to donate. I love you, PDXWIT, and I am excited about our future!
With so much love and hope for the future,
Natalie Ruiz
PDXWIT Board Treasurer and forever PDXWIT Enthusiast💚💚💚
PDXWIT relies on the generous sponsorship of people like you and the organizations you’re part of.
Please consider donating today!
Financial support from our sponsors has helped PDXWIT in many ways this year, and here’s a snapshot of where the sponsor dollars have gone:
The reach and impact are significant.
I recognize that budgets may have changed, but the priority to positively impact our communities by building a better tech industry has not.
Thank you for your continued support of me, as well as PDX Women in Tech (PDXWIT)
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
