Empowering Immigrant Women in Tech
Girls on Firewalls is dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent immigrant women from entering the tech industry. Through tailored mentorship and training, we empower women to overcome challenges such as language barriers, lack of confidence, and limited local experience, thereby enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in Information Technology.
Creating Opportunities in the IT Industry
Our approach focuses on creating a supportive and nurturing environment for immigrant women to develop their technical skills and gain the confidence to pursue IT careers. We believe in sharing success stories and providing a platform for these women to showcase their achievements.
Building Versatile Skills
At Girls on Firewalls, we emphasize the importance of versatility in the IT field. Our programs are designed to equip immigrant women with a diverse skill set, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in various roles within the tech industry.
Accelerating Access to IT Careers
We are committed to accelerating the entry of immigrant women into the tech workforce. Through strategic partnerships and dedicated support, we facilitate internships, mentorship, and career opportunities, enabling these women to take significant strides in their IT careers.
Comprehensive Customer Support
We provide comprehensive support to immigrant women as they navigate their journey into the IT industry. From mentorship to career guidance, we are committed to ensuring that these women receive the assistance they need to succeed.
Mission
To equip, mentor, and place Brazilian immigrant women into IT careers in the United States through community, education, and direct industry partnerships.
Impact Goals
1. International Expansion of Mentorship Programs
Goal: Expand our impact by launching our mentorship model in at least three additional countries by 2028.
Purpose: By bringing our proven mentorship approach to new regions, we aim to empower women in underserved communities to access education, career guidance, and professional opportunities in IT.
Impact Measure: Local partnerships established, number of mentees enrolled per country, and employment outcomes tracked regionally.
2. Corporate Partnerships for Age-Inclusive Hiring
Goal: Build strategic partnerships with a minimum of 10 companies to co-develop inclusive hiring and upskilling programs specifically targeting women aged 30 and above.
Purpose: This initiative aims to address the dual challenges of gender and age discrimination in tech hiring, enabling mid-career women to successfully transition into IT roles.
Impact Measure: Number of women hired through partnered programs, retention rates, and participant satisfaction surveys.
3. Mentor 500 Women by 2028
Goal: Provide structured mentorship, skills development, and job-readiness support to at least 500 women by the end of 2028.
Purpose: Through our evidence-based mentorship program, we will equip women with technical skills, certifications, and the confidence needed to thrive in IT careers.
Impact Measure: Number of active mentees, certifications earned, and post-program employment outcomes.
Target Audience
Our mentorship program is designed to support immigrant women residing in the U.S. and Canada, aged 25 and older, who are seeking to transition into a career in Information Technology (IT). This includes:
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Women with no prior experience in IT but a strong interest in entering the field
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Those who are looking to relaunch or redirect their careers within the tech industry
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Individuals facing barriers to access, including lack of local professional networks, or limited exposure to tech career pathways
By focusing on this underserved and often overlooked demographic, our program aims to create equitable opportunities for career mobility, economic empowerment, and long-term success in the digital workforce.
Solution: Girls on Firewalls
Program Pillars
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Career Transition Mentorship
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One-on-one coaching from bilingual mentors with industry experience
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Confidence-building and mindset work
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Hands-on Labs and Simulations Across Key IT Domains:
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Our program offers practical, immersive experiences through labs and simulations in various IT fields, including networking, cybersecurity, software development, IT governance, and more.
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Job Market Integration
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Partnership with companies for internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level placements
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Networking opportunities with tech professionals
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LinkedIn profile building and job application support
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Community Support
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Peer group accountability
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Mental health and emotional resilience workshops
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Family-friendly structure: flexible training schedules for moms
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Partnership
We are seeking strategic partnerships with leading companies to:
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Provide internship and apprenticeship opportunities for our program graduate
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Support our training efforts through donations of equipment, access to lab environments, or licensing for certification preparation
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Engage company professionals as mentors, guest instructors, or career speakers
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Collaborate on recruitment initiatives focused on entry-level roles for diverse, skilled candidate
Together, we can create a more diverse, skilled, and inclusive tech workforce.
Why Partner With Us
Access to diverse, bilingual, and driven talent
Strengthen corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts
Be recognized as a leader in inclusive hiring and global equity
Help close the diversity gap in tech while filling real workforce needs
Founder's Note
My name is Magda Almeida, and I founded Girls on Firewalls after seeing firsthand the potential and pain of countless capable immigrant women who were stuck in survival jobs. With a background in tech and a deep belief in transformation through opportunity,
I knew we could do more—together.
