Women in Technology & Science

TechColumbus invites you to network and share information and ideas with other women whose business and/or careers are in the fields of technology and science.   Halle Butvin, Founder and Director of One Mango Tree will share her company’s story through technology- how she leveraged technology platforms to grow and how it makes their business model replicable in so many places around the world.

You will also have the opportunity visit resource booths and learn more about organizations that provide services to women in the Technology and Science field.

Program Agenda:

7:30 am to 8:00 am     Registration and Networking (a continental breakfast will be provided)
8:00 am to 8:30 am     Presentation by Halle Butvin, Founder and Director of One Mango Tree

One Mango Tree began as a seed – an idea that came to mind during Founder and Director Halle Butvin’s first trip to Uganda in June 2006.  She traveled to Uganda with a student trip organized by Global Youth Partnership for Africa, with the goal of learning more about the conflict in northern Uganda and how youth could play a role in building peace in the country. 
 
On several subsequent trips to Uganda, Halle continued working with Global Youth Partnership for Africa, bringing American and Ugandan youth together to focus on the elements of sustainable peace. She picked up on an underlying thread in all of the lectures and discussions – the importance of economic empowerment. 

A seedling was already sprouting at this point, as Halle explored possible artisan connections in Kampala. She began to think beyond fair trade – putting together a model that would emphasize a combination of market connection, job creation, and practical social programs – a business model that could set an example for the type of economic and social empowerment necessary to build a foundation for sustainable peace.  Their business model revolves around this belief, going beyond fair trade to create jobs and improve quality of life in some of the most challenging environments in the world.

Halle will share the following information in her presentation:

• Her perspective of technology, and how it is changing supply chains and shrinking the gap (and increasing transparency) between producers and consumers.
• Utilizing social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and blogging to create a community around their products and artisans. 
• Using online banking (newly available in Uganda) to facilitate cash flow directly to producers. 
• Utilizing technology such as email, Skype and SMS to stay in touch with their Ugandan counterparts on a nearly daily basis.  “We actually created a Gulu-based position focusing on social media, because continuing the narrative is such an important part of growing our community, and thus, our business”, states Halle. 
• She will also discuss the parts of the business that technology cannot replace - where face-to-face interaction is still a very necessary part of business.

You can find more information regarding One Mange Tree and see their beautiful products by visiting their website: www.onemangotree.com

  
8:30 am to 9:30 am     Visit Resource Booths and Networking
 

The event is free but registration is required

Please contact Laura Coffee at 614-675-3755 or at lcoffee@techcolumbus.org  for event  information.