Tech week Leiden: women shaping the future of tech and entrepreneurship
On Wednesday, November 12, the Municipality of Leiden and Equals are organizing the launch of the Tech Week campaign .
An afternoon highlighting female role models from Leiden, featuring inspiring stories, science, and connections between education, business, and policy.
Program:
14:00 – Arrival & registration
14:30 – Welcome by moderator Debbie Helaha and alderman Wietske Veltman
14:45 – Keynote by Mariska Kret: Women in Leadership Positions
15:00 – Panel discussion with role models from Leiden:
Charlotte Poot, Yvonne Gallagher en Rocio Ramirez Crisotomo
15:45 – Closing remarks & conversation starter
16:00 – Networking drinks
On Wednesday, November 12, the Municipality of Leiden and Equals are launching the Tech Week campaign.
An afternoon dedicated to visibility, inspiration, and equal opportunities. In the foyer of Leiden’s City Hall, education, science, entrepreneurship, and technology come together to celebrate female role models who make a difference as professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Even today, only 18 percent of people working in the tech sector are women. In entrepreneurship, representation is also limited: fewer than one-third of all entrepreneurs in the Netherlands are women. This means that a large share of talent remains untapped. Through the Role Model Campaign, we aim to make that talent visible. We highlight women from Leiden and the surrounding area who work or run businesses in diverse technical, scientific, and innovative sectors. Their stories show that there is not just one path to success there are many possible routes.
Leiden was named Education City of the Year, a title that reflects the city’s character: curious, research driven, and entrepreneurial. From primary schools to universities, from start-ups to international laboratories, Leiden offers space to grow and experiment. The city also actively promotes equal opportunities, for example through the Equal Opportunities Action Plan and the Meidentop (Girls’ Summit).
This collaboration with Equals aligns with Leiden’s ambition to highlight women who make a difference in education, tech, and entrepreneurship, so that other girls and women can see themselves reflected and feel inspired.
During the launch event on November 12, the moderator will open the program, followed by an introduction and opening speech by alderman Wietske Veltman.
Together with Mariska Kret, we will then explore themes such as behavior, emotion, and leadership topics that touch on the ways women navigate their paths in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Next, female role models from Leiden will share their personal experiences in a panel discussion, led by the moderator Debbie Helaha. They will discuss opportunities, obstacles, and the importance of visibility, with room for reflection and audience dialogue.
The afternoon will conclude with a conversation starter and networking drinks, offering participants a chance to meet and exchange ideas.
The Tech Week campaign featuring Leiden’s role models runs from November 10 to 17 and will be visible throughout the city during that period. The campaign serves as an activator , a call to action for employers, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs to help build a gender-inclusive future.
Participation is free of charge, but registration helps us prevent food waste.