Grow with Google: International Women’s Day 2019

The moment

For International Women’s Day 2019, Google Kenya brought together women entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals under its Grow with Google banner and the Women Will initiative, with the theme Lead, Create, Inspire. The aim was a day of digital skills, honest career stories and new connections, helping to close the gender gap in digital adoption and economic opportunity.

A welcome worth arriving for

Guests were welcomed with makeovers and photo shoots before the sessions began, so the day felt like a celebration from the first moment. Farzana Khubchandani opened with a keynote on the economic impact of women in technology, followed by a panel moderated by Regina on the paths and obstacles women face in corporate and entrepreneurial careers.

Three tracks, one community

The room then split into three breakout tracks: Women in Leadership, on executive decision-making and board representation; Women in Entrepreneurship, on using Google’s tools to grow a business and reach capital; and Women in the Workplace, on career transitions, personal branding and equity at work.

In the afternoon, Muthoni Drummer Queen led a fireside conversation on creative resilience, awards recognised standout participants and advocates, and the day closed with lunch and a live performance by Fena Gitu.

One of many with Google

Waridi managed the event: concept and space design at Mövenpick, venue and vendor management, branding and stage design, guest registration and staffing, and coordination of the programme on the day, so that Google’s team and 159 guests could focus on the content and the conversations.

It is one of many events we have delivered for Google Kenya over more than five years of working together.