She Sharp

Bridging the gender gap in STEM

She Sharp event
She Sharp community
She Sharp workshop
She Sharp networking

"As the Director of She Sharp, I am proud to lead an organization dedicated to empowering women in tech. Despite women making up over half of the population, they represent only 20% of roles in STEM fields.

At She Sharp, we strive to connect women with female role models, host workshops, and dispel misconceptions about the industry. We aim to create an inclusive environment that empowers women to pursue their passions in tech. We provide a platform for women in STEM to network and develop skills, breaking down barriers and creating a more diverse industry.

Join us in changing the face of tech!"

Dr. Mahsa McCauley

She Sharp — Founder and Director

Dr. Mahsa McCauley, Founder and Director of She Sharp

A Deep Dive into Our Journey

From a small launch event in 2014 to a thriving community of 2200+ members across New Zealand

2014

She# Launch Event

She Sharp was founded with a mission to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields. Our inaugural launch event with Orion Health marked the beginning of a movement to create a supportive community for women in technology across New Zealand.

✦ Partnership with Orion Health
✦ Auckland launch

2015

Wellington Launch with Xero

Expanded our reach beyond Auckland with the Wellington launch, partnering with Xero to bring She Sharp's mission to the capital city. This expansion marked our commitment to supporting women in tech nationwide.

✦ Partnership with Xero
✦ First regional expansion

2016

First 100-Attendee Event with Google

A major milestone as we hosted our first event reaching 100 attendees, in partnership with Google. This growth demonstrated the strong demand for community and support among women in New Zealand's tech sector.

✦ Partnership with Google
✦ 100 attendees milestone

2017

Auckland Tech Grand Tour

An ambitious 6.5-hour tour showcasing some of New Zealand's biggest tech companies. Participants got exclusive behind-the-scenes access to leading organisations, gaining insights into diverse career paths and company cultures in the tech industry.

✦ 6.5 hours of exclusive access
✦ Multiple top tech companies
✦ Behind-the-scenes experience

2020

Going Virtual During COVID-19

Adapted to the global pandemic by pivoting to virtual events, dramatically expanding our reach and accessibility. Despite the challenges, we hosted 12 events throughout the year—10 of which were online—keeping our community connected and engaged.

✦ 12 events during COVID year
✦ 10 online events
✦ Community stayed connected

2022

First Female-Led Hackathon

Made history by hosting New Zealand's first female-led hackathon, creating a space where women could lead, innovate, and showcase their technical skills. This groundbreaking event set a new standard for inclusive tech events in the country.

✦ First female-led hackathon in NZ
✦ Women-led innovation
✦ Technical skills showcase

2023

Expanding Horizons

A transformative year with multiple landmark initiatives. Partnered with Google for an Educator Conference, launched "Inspire Her" to empower Māori and Pasifika school students, and expanded to Hamilton with HCLTech—bringing She Sharp's mission to more communities than ever.

✦ Google Educator Conference
✦ Inspire Her: Māori & Pasifika students
✦ Hamilton launch with HCLTech

2024

A Decade of Impact

Celebrating 10 years of bridging the gender gap in STEM. Hosted another successful hackathon with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and launched our flagship mentoring programme—connecting aspiring women in tech with experienced industry professionals.

✦ Hackathon with F&P Healthcare
✦ Mentoring programme launched
✦ 10 years of impact

2025

Building Momentum

An incredible year of growth with 6 major events reaching over 500 registered attendees from 135 unique companies. From celebrating International Women's Day at AcademyEX to hosting AI Hackathon Festival with AI Forum NZ—each event strengthened our community and advanced our mission.

✦ March: AcademyEX — International Women's Day
✦ April: #IAmRemarkable Workshop
✦ May: MYOB — Tech That Matches Your Vibe
✦ July: HPE — THRIVE: Your Career, Your Story
✦ August: AI Forum — AI Hackathon Festival
✦ September: Fonterra — Business & Tech Transformation

Meet Our People

The passionate team of leaders, innovators, and advocates driving change in the tech industry

Mahsa McCauley, Trustee | Ambassador | Founder and Chair

Mahsa McCauley

Trustee | Ambassador | Founder and Chair

Dr. Mahsa McCauley is the founder and the director of She Sharp, an Associate Professor in the School of Computer, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Auckland University of Technology and Chair of the AI Forum New Zealand. An internationally recognised leader in AI and machine learning, Dr. McCauley also serves on the boards of NZTech, EdTechNZ and the AI Research Association, where she contributes to shaping the future of AI policy and research in New Zealand. Internationally, she has engaged as a Fulbright Scholar at North Carolina A&T State University, applying AI to agriculture and cybersecurity challenges. Her leadership and impact have earned numerous recognitions, including the YWCA Equal Pay Champion Award, Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Unsung Hero Award at the Women in Security Awards.

Mike McCauley, Trustee | Ambassador | Assets Manager

Mike McCauley

Trustee | Ambassador | Assets Manager

Mike is a Digital Delivery Manager on the ICT Leadership team at Metlifecare, where he oversees the strategy and delivery of ICT solutions for new builds and property redevelopments. A dedicated advocate for women in tech, Mike has been a member of She Sharp since its inception in 2014. He oversees the charity's finances and physical assets, and is often seen taking photos at She Sharp events. Outside of his professional life, Mike enjoys time with his family, playing guitar, and has a passion for cooking and all things coffee.

Raquel Anne Maderazo, Ambassador | Event Manager

Raquel Anne Maderazo

Ambassador | Event Manager

Raquel is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with a master’s degree in IT Project Management from AUT and over 12 years of experience in the IT industry. She has led network infrastructure, software development, and ERP projects across diverse industries in Europe, UK, US, and Philippines. Known for her adaptability, she strives for project excellence and fosters a collaborative, inclusive work environment. As an event manager at She Sharp, Raquel leverages her project management expertise to plan and organise She Sharp-led conferences & events. Inspired by She Sharp’s mission, she’s passionate about creating a diverse environment where women can grow, learn, and overcome challenges in STEM.

Sabrina Teoh, Ambassador | Event Manager

Sabrina Teoh

Ambassador | Event Manager

Sabrina is a product development engineer at FPH, known for her passion for learning and self-improvement. She thrives on diverse experiences, from leading agile sprints, operating metal machinery, and soldering circuit boards to completing her first software merge request. These varied challenges have shaped her into a well-rounded professional who values teamwork, collaboration, and guiding conversations to meaningful outcomes. Outside of work, Sabrina stays active physically and mentally through Pilates, badminton, and learning Korean and software skills. She is deeply committed to empowering women in tech, encouraging others to explore and thrive in the industry.

Isha Sangrolkar, Ambassador | Website Lead

Isha Sangrolkar

Ambassador | Website Lead

Isha is pursuing her Master of Computer and Information Sciences degree at AUT, focusing on expanding her expertise in the field. With a background as a DevOps engineer at Persistent Systems in India, she brings real-world experience and technical insight to her academic journey. Isha's introduction to She Sharp came through her participation in various events organised at AUT by Dr. Mahsa. Sharing a common mission with She Sharp, Isha is dedicated to promoting gender balance within the tech industry.

Alyssa Pausanos, Ambassador | Mentoring Program Lead

Alyssa Pausanos

Ambassador | Mentoring Program Lead

Alyssa is a Graduate Software Engineer at Vista Group and a first-class honours Software Engineering graduate from Auckland University of Technology. She’s skilled in a variety of programming languages, frameworks, and tech stacks. Outside of work, she enjoys creative pursuits like web design and interior styling, which balance and inspire her technical side. Her journey with She Sharp began through a mentorship programme led by Dr. Mahsa, sparking her passion for supporting more women in STEM

She Sharp - Connecting Women in Technology