HUNTSVILLE – A new initiative will assist women in career success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM.

The Invention to Innovation Center or I2C at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is launching Women in Tech or WIT // HSV, an Alabama-focused community platform aimed at educating, encouraging and empowering women. Participants can reach the necessary expertise and connections to succeed in STEM career fields.

“WIT // HSV’s mission is to support women who aim high and want to make an impact through technology, leadership and inspiration,” Rigved P. Joshi said. Joshi is Director of I2C.

“The three pillars of WIT // HSV are to ‘Encourage, Empower and Educate’ women working in the business and technical sides of technology. WIT // HSV was established to help women transform their communities, fast forward their businesses and careers and effectively move through challenges using the tools, connections and resources WIT // HSV provides,” Joshi said.

A committee of strong and influential women in Huntsville and Madison companies founded WIT // HSV:

* Saleemah Ahamed – Adherence

* Dr. Kuan Collins – SAIC

* Jackie Fendrock – Accenture

* Valentina Iscaro — Alabama A&M University

* Alice Lessmann – Signalink

* Lisa Davis Mays – Catalyst

* Angie Sandritter – Rippleworx

* Vergenia Shelton — Intuitive Research and Technology

The WIT // HSV operations team is led by Valentina Iscaro, Creative Director, and supported by Juliana Denes, I2C Lead of Events; Gracie Davidson, I2C Lead Digital and Social Media; and Madison Travis, Intuitive Research and Technology, Lead of Programming.

WIT // HSV will host their launch event at I2C on March 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The launch event will feature numerous networking opportunities, an exciting lineup of speakers from Accenture and the FBI, complimentary drinks and savory food from Good Company Cafe.

The launch event will combine WIT // HSV’s three pillars by offering space to connect strong women in STEM career fields and hear valuable insights. The atmosphere will break down personal and professional barriers, allow individuals to own their brands and increase the impact of women in technology.

The event is free and open to women of all ages. Sponsors are Accenture, Innovate Huntsville, Intuitive Research and Technology, Maynard Cooper SAIC and Warren Averett. Attendees must RSVP with Eventbrite. Masks are mandatory.

For more information, visit wit-hsv.org.