The Indy Women in Tech, Inc. (IWiT) Foundation is announcing today the hire of Jody Dedon as the Executive Director. Jody is joining IWiT to manage core aspects of the organization, including workforce development, mentorship, STEM education, and fundraising in support of Indiana’s state-wide robotics initiative, IWiT’s education and training scholarship program, Ignite Your Superpower! STEM day, and the Indy Women in Tech LPGA Championship.

As a fundraising executive, Jody was previously with Leadership Indianapolis, Conner Prairie and Noble of Indiana where she led Advancement teams to notable success by instituting systems and processes to grow, sustain and retain donors while building relationships to inspire giving and deepening donors’ commitment to the mission. Jody graduated Summa Cum Laude at Indiana Wesleyan University where she was voted Class President and received the Outstanding Professional Award. She earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive accreditation in 2016.

IWiT’s mission is to inspire women and girls of all ages to pursue STEM related employment in Indiana by exposing them to experiences and career opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as well as provide the necessary financial support, mentoring, training, and education. Specifically, through strategic partnerships with allied organizations, IWiT provides scholarships to women to study and pursue careers in technology-related fields. Read more about the foundation’s impact in 2017 here.

“As we look to extend the impact of IWiT’s initiatives, it became a priority to hire an executive director,” said Karen Maginn, Chair of Indy Women in Tech. “We are thrilled to have Jody join our team. Her experience and passion for IWiT’s mission will be instrumental in fostering relationships with corporate, educational and non-profit leaders as we successfully position women for tech careers in Indiana. Jody will also serve as an inspiration to girls of all ages as they engage in STEM education and opportunities.”

This new role created by the IWiT Board of Directors allows for one central point of contact amongst all IWiT initiatives. The IWiT Program Manager position previously held at TechPoint to run the workforce development initiative portion of IWiT concluded at the end January 2018, and the new IWiT Executive Director will assume those responsibilities for workforce development alongside the other core components of the foundation.   

Planning committees are beginning to meet and discuss the Indy Women in Tech LPGA Championship, which will occur August 13-18, 2018 at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. Learn more about the convergence of golf, tech and women in STEM careers through IWiT in our story here or visit indywit.com.