Shape the future of Tech!Subscribe to our newsletter
Montreal, September 6th, 2023 - QueerTech has grown so much over the past year, and we couldn’t be more proud.
Our mission:
QueerTech strives to queer the tech ecosystem by breaking down barriers, creating spaces, and connecting communities to support and empower 2SLGBTQ+ people to thrive. We value inclusivity, helpfulness, accessibility, and pride; we believe that for Queer people to thrive as their authentic selves, we must build resilience, encourage self-empowerment and create a sense of belonging!
"I am excited to join an organization that provides members with opportunities to connect, grow and progress in their careers. We need to advance LGBTQ+ representation in tech leadership roles and create the inclusive workforce of the future." -
Lara Shewchuk
Clea Arrieta (She/Her), is a big sister, a first-generation Canadian, a queer woman of colour, an HR Consultant at Bright + Early, and a new Board Member. Clea partners with Out In Schools to share Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity training within schools and businesses across BC and has advocated and supported mentorship through Young Women in Business Vancouver and Out In Tech programs.
Nicolas Liénart (He/Him) is a Senior Director of Talent Management at La Tête Chercheuse and a newly appointed QueerTech Board Member. He is responsible for recruiting top talent for his teams in Canada and India. Nicolas strives to get to know the individuals behind the resumes to truly understand their uniqueness.
Lisa Gibson (She/Her) has over 28 years of experience leading communications at Microsoft Canada, Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Target. Currently, Lisa serves as the Head of Strategy & Operations for Global Communications at Microsoft. We are delighted to announce that Lisa has joined QueerTech as a Board Member.
Sam Naylor (He/Him), Deloitte Digital’s Chief of Staff, is a trans man who is incredibly passionate about entrepreneurship, DEI and all things real estate. As a new Board Member, Sam wants to support QueerTech in improving 2SLGBTQ+ founder access to funding, quality mentorship and incubation. Amazing, Sam! We’re so excited.
Paul Nezaum Saiedi (He/Him) is the Global Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Uber. Before his time at Uber, Paul had been creating more equitable business and culture change for 13+ years at Unity Technologies, Twitter, Leadership Mountain View, and the University of Maryland College Park. He has robust experience in change management, intersectionality, DEI data solutions, and coaching leaders and organizations to become more inclusive. His own positionality at the intersections of being interracial, queer, and first-generation college student fuels him to create systematic changes wherever he can.
Lara Shewchuk, (She/Her, They/Them) COO & CFO of Architech, is an experienced global leader, business strategist, board director, and sustainability professional whose purpose and work is driven towards the empowerment and equity of women and marginalized populations. Lara actively supports organizations like the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment and Pride At Work Canada and has been recognized on Involve’s global Outstanding Executive 2SLGBTQ+ Role Model Lists.
"Our queer communities are big, bold, and diverse and we need ambitious and innovative organizations to support us in all forms; Queertech is answering that call! I could not be more humbled and excited to support Queertech and its ambitious mission to empower Queer people to claim their space within the tech community and have their voices heard." -
Paul Nezaum Saiedi
QueerTech’s President of the Board, Jean-François Ouellet (He/Him), started out as an entrepreneur before entering an academic career as a professor of marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship at HEC Montréal. His research has focused on entrepreneurial marketing, strategy, finance, and the impacts of racism, heterosexism (homophobia), sexism and ageism on consumer and investor behaviour. He has published in leading academic journals such as the Journal of Marketing and spoken at some of the world’s most impactful conferences, such as Advances in Consumer Research.
QueerTech’s Treasurer, Laura B. MacDonald (She/Her, They/Them), is an artist, podcaster and professional accountant. Previously an auditor at PwC, Laura is currently the Director of Accounting at Local Logic, a fast-scaling proptech startup. Laura was a founding board member of QueerTech at the time of incorporation in 2017 and has served as our Treasurer ever since.
Marlon Thompson (He/Him) is an angel investor, startup founder and experienced advocate for diversity in business. He has spent the past four years creating pathways to success for underrepresented leaders in
What excites you the most about being a board member? "Contributing to equalizing the playing field for LGBT+ & intersectional identities as it relates to growth opportunities within tech, and more specifically for founders seeking support and partnerships." -
Sam Naylor
QueerTech is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting workforce and economic development across Canada by fostering entrepreneurship and providing opportunities for the 2SLGBTQ+ community to access professional development, networking, and mentorship in the tech industry. Our primary goal is to increase access to these opportunities and support the growth and advancement of queer professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators in order to build a stronger and more diverse workforce that is better equipped to meet the needs of the innovation economy. By promoting diversity and inclusion, we believe we can help businesses access a broader range of talent and perspectives, which can drive innovation, creativity, and growth. Learn more about QueerTech here!
For further information:
Media Contact:
Naoufel Testaouni
naoufel@queertech.org