Dr Ghazaleh Samandari, the founder of 9Paths Development, is hosting the Women in IT -Summit UK 2023 on 18 May – a woman on a mission to disrupt the status quo for good and elevate women.

Dr Ghazaleh Samandari (Ghaz) was born in Iran and immigrated to the US as a war refugee in the early 80s. Coming from a country where women’s rights are massively curtailed, she’s always felt a sense of urgency in helping women reclaim their power.

Ghaz’s background, which includes working in 30 countries, has proven over and over again that the most efficient way to advance entire systems is to invest in women. From government ministers to tribal elders, she’s sat down with all kinds of leaders to understand their aspirations and help cultivate and nurture their communities.

Ghaz, inspired you to join and host the Women in IT UK Summit on 18 May?

I met Cheryl Cole, the editor of DiversityQ, through my PR person for what was meant to be a short interview. Instead, over the course of 30 minutes, we connected deeply on our mutual commitment to creating more equity, agency and space for women’s voices in IT and tech in general. That shared aspiration that more women (and intersectional women in particular) be given a platform for change in the tech world drew me to this event. 

What session are you most looking forward to and why?

The Great Resignations to Great Reinventions panel, which will talk about the power of aligned communities in supporting individuals and groups to push back on the wider, broken systems that currently rule. The world does not have to work how we think, and the Great Resignation era proves that. 

What do you hope delegates will leave with on the day as a consequence of attending?

I hope delegates will understand that the strength, power and creativity required to make big shifts in IT already reside within them. That they can start to make changes today and that they are in the company of others who echo their hopes and vision. 

Why should someone attend the Summit this year?

This year represents the first year where we are operating outside the bounds of covid fear. It’s the perfect moment to reconnect with ourselves and others around the issues we care about and forge a new way forward.

I’m so excited about this opportunity!!

Hear more from Ghaz at the Women in IT Summit UK 2023 on 18 May. To find out more and register for a place, please click here.