Joanna Prieto

Joanna is ensuring that more girls and women can pursue a scientific vocation by tackling the barriers that discourage them throughout every stage of their lives. More than that, she is connecting her work across the region to create a culture that inspires and connects women in science and technology.

Geek Girls LatAm, tries to change the mentality of women beginning in childhood by changing key elements of the ecosystem that have been full of obstacles for female participation by helping to create new government programs, partnering with universities and companies, and changing the mindset of parents to help them discover and recognize the true potential of their girls.

The world requires more qualified professionals in science and technology. Colombia alone, estimated a talent shortage in the ICT sector in 2018 of 53,000 professionals, which would increase to 200,000 by 2025. At the same time, Latin America struggles with social differences including inequality and unemployment. There is a severe inequity problem particularly in the ICT sector. Only 5% of staff in tech-based businesses are women and less than 26% of the positions in the whole sector are occupied by women. Part of this can be tied to education - where only 3 of every 10 students in science and technology programs are women. Indeed, IT programs are usually aimed at men and consequently, women abstain from applying for those courses. Women are often victims of discrimination at higher education IT programs and abandon their studies midway or change programs.

Joanna is empowering women through her non-profit organization, Geek Girls LatAm, which was founded in 2016. Through Geek Girls, Joanna trains and supports the development of women in Latin America; she is inspiring, empowering, and connecting girls and women with the IT industry and building their relationship with STEAM abilities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). She is also targeting the larger ecosystem, by creating and publicizing knowledge that supports these efforts to Latin American public institutions, the business sector, academies, and the social sector.

She was recognized as an Iconic Woman by the Women Economic Forum held in India in 2019. Recently, she was selected by the renowned International Visitor Leadership Program 2021 (IVLP) with the US State Department.