On Thursday, January 14th,  the SheTek team will be hosting their Holiday Virtual Celebration: Looking Forward to 2021 With Positivity. This event will look back on SheTek’s history and activities, and look forward with a focus on making 2021 a year filled with positivity and possibilities.

There will also be a workshop to guide attendees through exercises to help them set smart goals in the New Year. To register, go to .

There’s still time to join to be a part of this workshop.

Membership in SheTek is free. Who should join?

• Women who are just starting out in the tech field
• Those returning to tech
• Women involved in technology and looking for that next step in their career
• Women looking to support other women in the industry
• Those interested in the tech field and don’t know where to start
• Women who want a place to ask questions and get answers in a supportive environment

All are welcomed and encouraged to join this growing community! Sign up today at: . Kick off membership by attending the Holiday Celebration!

The SheTek Workshop: “Looking Forward to 2021 With Positivity,” is sponsored by PamTen. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Reach out to contact@shetek.net for more information.

Kick Off Program focuses on AI

Plainsboro Township, NJ (July 2024): SheTek, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and growing the number of women in the technology field, has formalized a partnership with Rutgers – Camden School of Business, a part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The partnership is mutually supportive of the goals of both organizations, and focuses on supporting students, particularly young women, in developing both technological and employability skills to assure the students success.

Says Monica Adya, Dean of Rutgers – Camden School of Business, “Partnering with She-Tek is a natural fit. There is so much overlap in each of our organization’s missions – preparing the workforce of tomorrow, a strong commitment to inclusive and accessible education, and a holistic approach that addresses the development of both technical and business/soft skills. When we began exploring opportunities for jointly delivering on our common mission, we quickly agreed that developing skills around AI could provide significant value.”

“SheTek’s partnership with Rutgers University in educating young women in AI and its use cases combined with soft skills marks just the beginning of our journey together,” states Chaya Pamula, Founder of SheTek and President, CEO and Co-Founder of PamTen, Inc.

In addition to initiating an AI training program, the organizations will also investigate data curation and other current trending technologies for joint programs. The first program launched in July with applications closing mid-August.

About SheTek:

SheTek is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women by fostering their careers and personal growth in the technology sector through training, networking, mentorship, and advice.

About Rutgers-Camden School of Business, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey:

Rutgers-Camden School of Business is a premier institution for undergraduate and graduate studies. It is highly valued as a school of choice, a business community resource, and a provider of top-quality training for professionals and executives.

4 intensive sessions provide HR Professionals and Business Managers essential tools to build inclusivity

(Princeton, New Jersey – January 17, 2022) – SheTek, a non-profit organization initiated by PamTen, Inc., is offering a unique training program to enhance understanding and collaboration and to build a healthy culture of gender relations in the workplace.

“Co-Creating Gender Balance in the Workplace – Not Just Another Diversity Training“ is a Level 1 workshop taking place over four live weekly sessions. Like previous SheTek Bootcamps, the training will focus on practical applications that will lay the foundations of Gender Balance and Collaboration.

Each 2-hour session will build on each previous week, covering topics such as:

• Re-visioning Gender Inclusivity
• Practical tools for addressing gender challenges in the workplace
• Awakening to Women’s and Men’s gender realities and intersectionalities
• Practice and experience with skills for respectful and authentic dialogue between the genders
• Practical skills for navigating gender mishaps
• Strengthening co-gender respect and collaboration

SheTek has partnered with Gender Equity and Reconciliation International, an international organization that has conducted gender diversity trainings with corporations and organizations (such as the UN) across the globe, to present this workshop to HR professionals, management leaders, and appropriate supervisors in any type of business.

A key part of SheTek’s mission is to address the need to increase the percentage of women represented in the technology industry. By developing a more understanding and inclusive working environment, gender bias can be reduced to the benefit of all.

The registration fee is $250, with university and group discounts available. There are also a limited number of scholarships available. You can get more details or register at .

About SheTek and PamTen:

SheTek is a 501(c )3 organization founded by PamTen Inc., a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). SheTek provides training, networking, and mentoring for women looking to get in to or expand their role in the technology field.

PamTen provides technology information services to a diverse set of clients, from small businesses to large corporations and has been ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, placing them among the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Services include IT staffing, strategic advisory services, custom IT solutions, cyber security services, and product development. With offices in USA, Canada, & India, PamTen provides solutions to companies in industries such as: Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Healthcare, Financial, Retail, Energy, and more. Awards and recognition include Inc. 5000, NJBIZ Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies; NJ Best 50 Women in Business; Top 20 Most Promising Web Development and Design Solution Providers.

Panels to Cover Tech Industry Trends, Data Analytics/AI, Career Development, and More

October 7, 2021, Princeton – SheTek has announced moderators and panelists for its Annual Conference, being held virtually this October 26 and 27 from 1:00 – 5:30 PM EDT, in what is sure to be an inspiring and engaging event. This is an opportunity for women and allies in technology to boost their careers, and for young people to gain insight on the industry from exposure to leaders, influencers, and top women and allies working in tech. This year’s virtual conference, sponsored by PamTen and CDW, features local and national tech experts, entrepreneurs, and trailblazers. Highlights include panels on:

Current Industry Trends and Workforce Development
Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and SheTek Power Team member, will moderate a discussion on where the tech industry is, what the current trends are indicating for the future, and how to take advantage of workforce development programs. She will be joined by her colleague Chrissy Buteas, Chief Government Affairs Officer of NJBIA; Aaron Fichter, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges; Lesley Hirsch, public policy research professional at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and Jackie Burke, CEO of the New Jersey Council of County Technical Schools.

Data Analytics, Visualization, and the Role of AI
Stacey Stewart, a 27-year veteran of diverse strategic and operational experience in data management, analytics, and information technology and member of the SheTek Power Team, will bring her own experience to this discussion and tap the minds of three industry leaders. Dr. Chitra Dorai, Founder and CEO of Amicus Brain Innovations and SheTek Power Team member, Patrick Doran, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Research and Development at Synchronoss, and Krishna Cheriath, Vice President and head of Digital, Data and Analytics at Zoetis will demystify this topic with their insider knowledge.

Entrepreneurship and Bootstrapping
James Barrood, an innovation ecosystem leader and expert on all things relating to growing a startup, will moderate a panel to focus around trailblazing in the tech industry. Participants in this talk include Maria Ramirez, an economist with a global economic and financial consulting lens; Denise Brouder, a workplace development strategist, and Dr. Ronke Dosunmu, a business and career coach and serial entrepreneur.

The two-day deep dive into the latest tech opportunities, topics and trends will leave attendees feeling inspired to expand their career journey, grow as leaders, and explore new avenues. Tickets to the conference are free. The conference takes place from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. EDT over both days. Everyone is invited to register for this exciting, future-focused event at .

About SheTek & PamTen:
 About SheTek and PamTen:

SheTek is a 501(c3 organization founded by PamTen Inc., a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). SheTek provides training, networking, and mentoring for women looking to get into or expand their role in the technology field.

PamTen provides technology information services to a diverse set of clients, from small businesses to large corporations and has been ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, placing them among the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Services include: IT staffing, strategic advisory services, custom IT solutions, cyber security services, and product development. With offices in USA, Canada, & India, PamTen provides solutions to companies in industries including: Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Healthcare, Financial, Retail, Energy, and more. Awards and recognition include: Inc. 5000, NJBIZ Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies; NJ Best 50 Women in Business; Top 20 Most Promising Web Development and Design Solution Providers.

September 14, 2021, Princeton – SheTek, a leading nonprofit committed to increasing the number of women and allies in the technology industry, will hold the SheTek Annual Conference 2021 on October 26-27, 2021. The free virtual event will run from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM (EDT) each day, and promises to be an informative and inspiring affair. The gathering brings together experts in the IT field to share insights through workforce development workshops and thought-provoking panels.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Beth Simone Noveck, the Chief Innovation Officer for the State of New Jersey and the current director of The Governance Lab, an online community-based organization with a goal of strengthening the ability of institutions – including but not limited to governments – and people to work more openly, collaboratively, effectively, and legitimately to make better decisions and solve public problems.

The conference will also feature panel discussions and interactive workshops on data analytics, visualization and the role of AI, current industry trends, gender balance in the workforce, leadership and mentorship, and entrepreneurship and bootstrapping. A unique feature of this year’s conference will be “A Conversation with the Next Gen SheTekkies,” a panel of female students from Rutgers, Douglass, Rider, Mercer County and Raritan Valley Community College, who have been invited to share about their future careers in technology and how they plan to get there.

Anyone can register for their free ticket at the SheTek Community:

About SheTek and PamTen:

SheTek is a 501(c )3 organization founded by PamTen Inc., a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). PamTen provides technology information services to a diverse set of clients, from small businesses to large corporations and has been ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, placing them among the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Services include: IT staffing, strategic advisory services, custom IT solutions, cyber security services, and product development. With offices in USA, Canada, & India, PamTen provides solutions to companies in industries including: Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Healthcare, Financial, Retail, Energy, and more. Awards and recognition include: Inc. 5000, NJBIZ Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies; NJ Best 50 Women in Business; Top 20 Most Promising Web Development and Design Solution Providers.

(Princeton, New Jersey) – Chaya Pamula, SheTek Founder, PamTen President & CEO, and SOFKIN Founder, teamed with William Keepin and Reverend Cynthia Brix, cofounders and codirectors of the Satyana Institute (Seattle) and of the institute’s Gender Equity and Reconciliation International project, to deliver an inspiring webinar aimed at increasing allyship between genders in tech organizations.

Chaya Pamula recalled the time during a business meeting when she tried to ask questions after a male coworker had just pitched an idea.

“I finished only one sentence, and the person immediately interrupted me saying, ‘We already flushed that idea out,’” she said.

A brusque dismissal like that might have silenced her. Or triggered a response that might have alienated the coworker.

Pamula instead wanted him as an ally.

“I said to him, ‘I still want to say something, and I really need and value your opinion.’”

The coworker was surprised. “It was like a light bulb went off in his head. He realized that he had ignored me at that moment, and he realized that I wanted his attention. So, he listened to me; and after that, he never, ever interrupted me again.”

Even better, he also supported Pamula. He became her ally.

Pamula shared her experiences during a virtual talk on transforming men into allies in the tech industry. She is the founder and president of SheTek, a Princeton-based company that cultivates a pipeline of women who are qualified to meet the technology needs of companies; she is also cofounder and CEO of PamTen (Princeton), a technology services company.  Pamula was joined in the talk by William Keepin and Reverend Cynthia Brix, cofounders and codirectors of the Satyana Institute (Seattle) and of the institute’s Gender Equity and Reconciliation International project.

They discussed several ways in which women can convert men into allies who will support their pursuit of balanced careers and professional growth in the tech industry. They said that women must:

• encourage men to become true sponsors and promoters of women in the workplace,
• resolve gender issues through invitation and collaboration,
• get comfortable with being uncomfortable in challenging situations, and
• have more self-esteem and self-confidence, so they will have the courage to speak up and address issues.

“It’s all about empowering women and honoring women who have challenged the patriarchal version of female stereotypes,” said Pamula, who at one point in her career was the only female employee on a staff of 5,000.

“I’m a woman of color, born and brought up in India, where patriarchy is rooted in the system, and I work predominantly in a male-dominated industry, which is the tech industry,” she said.

“Then I migrated to the United States, and I thought in this country, being an advanced country, there would not be any gender parity issues. To my surprise, I felt that it’s no different across the globe.

“There is a great potential for men and women to work together very skillfully,” she said.

“I was challenged with gender bias issues at work. In some instances, I didn’t even realize it was an issue, unless somebody really told me that I needed to act on it. Then it was an issue,” she said.

“It’s important to have that level of awareness and education, especially for women, to understand when to respond to the situation.  So, I learned the hard way how to speak up. I had to have courage and be able to address issues, and had the opportunity to get a male colleague to support me in those situations,” she said.

“Men must listen generously, and believe women are capable and competent, while validating and normalizing women’s experiences,” she said.

“They should encourage women to let their talent shine, and they should level the playing field, engaging in women’s initiatives and practicing transparency, while avoiding interrupting women with unsolicited advice,” she said.

Important to Involve Men

“We can solve these gender inequities to overcome the systemic structural causes, and we should be able to reinforce the perception that it’s not about only women. It is important to involve men in these initiatives,” she said.

Pamula cited numerous statistics that paint a negative picture for women in the tech industry, including the fact that only 20 percent of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are women.

Another troubling statistic is that 42 percent of working women say they have faced gender discrimination at work, she said.

“Women are about twice as likely as men to experience some form of gender discrimination at work,” she said. “More women who reported these issues have a bachelor’s degree or higher education.”

Meanwhile, “a majority of men still think that there is no gender bias at the workplace,” she said.

“Gender bias at the workplace means a lack of flexible hours, lower engagement and unequal pay,” Pamula added.

“Women still make less than men. And there are unequal opportunities and a lack of role models to look up to [when addressing] any situation. And, as I personally experienced, there’s also a lack of sponsorship for women. We need more sponsorship. It’s very, very important to find mentors and sponsors,” Pamula said.

“Women face sexual harassment. Noninclusive workplaces are ingrained into the culture of many of the industries that are not very women-friendly,” she said.

“Work and life balance is becoming a major issue for women having to deal with not only the household chores and taking care of children, but also online classes and dealing with the work demands,” she said.

“There were instances where you try to defend or disagree with a male colleague. Immediately the colleague says, ‘Don’t take it personally.’ You know whether you take it personally or not, but it’s a very common statement. They also say things like, ‘You are so good at taking notes. Can you take notes?’ Actually, I don’t mind doing that, as long as I’m not given that as my full-time job,” she said.

“Women must speak up when their male bosses and coworkers dismiss them or tell them they’re getting emotional during a conversation. It’s not about emotion. It’s about the profession.”

The Origins of Gender Bias

William Keepin and the Rev. Cynthia Brix addressed the origins of gender bias and expectations in the workplace.

Keepin referred to a “man box” that men endure as part of male socialization. It confines them to certain limited behaviors and attitudes, and produces desensitized and controlling behaviors.

“Men are conditioned in certain ways, which we see consistently across the cultures. Boys and men are subjected to a process of cutting off a certain part of their humanity,” he said. “And if they don’t do it to themselves, their peers will do it to them,” Keepin said.

“Men have to deny certain aspects of their sensitivity and their compassion, which have been called ‘feminine’ qualities, but really they’re just human qualities,” Keepin said.

“Women don’t realize the magnitude of pain that men go through to squeeze themselves into this very limited role that they’re given. There is a great deal of mutual unawareness across the gender gap that we have experienced in every culture we’ve worked in,” he said. “Men and women don’t fully realize the pain of the other.”

To change that, men must do the following:

• Understand women’s perspectives. Do not try to fix things.
• Recognize women as being capable and competent, and don’t be intimidated or threatened by female coworkers
• Validate women’s experiences and recognize their contributions. Don’t take credit for their ideas; instead, champion them and their work.
• Level the playing field and have the same standards and expectations for men and women.
• Remove male privilege and advantages from the equation, for instance by highlighting salary disparities.

“We all have to understand that we’re all in this system together, and that it’s toxic and traumatizing,” Brix said. “But it can be changed; this is the good news. In our work, we have consistently witnessed remarkable harmony, mutual respect and creative collaboration between men and women,” she added.

Focus on Continuous Learning and Cybersecurity to Boost Your Career

(Princeton, New Jersey) – SheTek, an initiative of PamTen, Inc., is putting the final touches on a free, two day video conference taking on July 23 and July 30 from 11 AM to 2 PM EDT. The Virtual Conference will benefit personal and career development, specifically focusing on the opportunities for continuous learning in a time of pandemic and beyond. The second session will center on Cybersecurity, its importance in business and life, job openings, and career paths in this booming segment.

Session 1 – July 23: Continued Learning for Tech Careers and Beyond, will dig into how continued learning can benefit you – and how you can take advantage of learning to boost your career in unexpected ways.

Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, will moderate this SheTek-exclusive event. Joining Judith will be Gale Tenen Spak, President at Build Their Future LLC and retired Associate Vice President of Continuing & Distance Education at NJIT, and Katherine Kish, Executive Director at Einstein’s Alley.

Session 2 – July 30: Everything You Need to Know about a Cybersecurity Career features a Cybersecurity Panel uniquely designed to give all attendees a window into the life of a Cybersecurity professional. Moderating our panel will be John Mendes, Vice President Cybersecurity at PamTen Inc. John’s work securing PamTen’s clients from cyber attacks and hacking makes him particularly suited to lead the Cybersecurity conversation. During the panel, John will be joined by Sydney Klein, Chief Information Security Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, Prasad Tenjerla, Co-Founder and COO of PamTen Inc., and Jessica Robinson, CEO of PurePoint International and Ambassador at Consciously Secure Living. This broad swath of Cybersecurity experts will answer any questions you may have about your potential future in this exciting and booming career.

Each session will also include a variety of breakout rooms that will include personal development, relaxation techniques, networking opportunities, and more. These rooms tie into the various main sessions, offering unique options for attendees.

Guests can register for both sessions, and individual sessions. Stay tuned to the SheTek website and community for details as they become finalized.

The SheTek Virtual Conference is sponsored by PamTen. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Reach out to contact@shetek.net for more information. Visit: www.shetek.net or on social @shetekglobal.

Small and Mid-Sized Businesses to receive hands-on training to fight top threat to business today

SheTek, an initiative of PamTen, Inc. addressing the need to increase the percentage of women represented in the technology industry, will be introducing a Cybersecurity Workshop for Small and Mid-sized business owners. This event will take place on May 23rd, and is being hosted by the Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP law firm in Princeton, NJ.

This will be the second Cybersecurity workshop that SheTek has offered in the NJ/NY area. SheTek will be hosting similar events throughout the coming months to empower women in their careers and businesses through technology support and education.

Cyber security is one of the top threats to small businesses across the country. According to a 2018 study by Ponemon/Keeper Security, small businesses face the same or greater risk of cyber attack as their larger counter parts, “but only 28% rate their ability to mitigate threats, vulnerabilities and attacks as highly effective.”

To aid these vulnerable organizations in protecting themselves, this hands on program will help owners recognize their weak points in security. The seminar will guide them through the cybersecurity process, and provide actionable tasks and items for each attendee. They will also receive a self assessment tool that they can utilize right away to understand their cybersecurity strengths and weaknesses.

The workshop will be guided by Don Philmlee, Information/Cyber Security SME expert. With 30+ years of experience providing strategic technology services, his work includes Cybersecurity and technology-related maturity assessments and audits, project management, business analysis, etc. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2003.

This free workshop is open to all small business owners and their IT and Business Security decision makers. Limited seating is available. Interested participants should email SheTek at contact@shetek.net.

An initiative by PamTen Inc. that cultivates a national pipeline of women in technology to meet the technology needs of companies

(Princeton, New Jersey – December 27, 2018) – SheTek.net will officially launch in New Jersey on January 9, 2019 with an event that celebrates the mission of the initiative—cultivating a qualified pipeline of women to meet the technology needs of companies.

SheTek is an initiative of Pamten Inc., a certified Woman and Minority Owned Business based in Princeton, NJ. The SheTek initiative will build a pipeline of talented women in technology and provide business owners with better access to technology solutions powered by talented women.

Guests at the New Jersey launch event will hear from guest speaker Michele Siekerka, President & CEO of The New Jersey Business & Industry Association. Details about SheTek will be shared by Chaya Pamula, CEO of SheTek and PamTen and Founder of SOFKIN and Joanna Black, CSO of SheTek.

The focus areas of SheTek include:

• Sparking early interest in technology for girls and mentoring them through the transition into college and into the work force
• Consulting companies on hiring women to fill more roles in technology
• Training and coaching women employees within companies to help advance their tech-specific careers
• Pairing talented women with companies who need technology services and staff
• Supporting women-owned start-ups and businesses with outsourced CTO services with a team powered by talented women
• Educating women business owners on how to use technology in their day-to-day business operations
• Connecting and supporting women through the online SheTek Community Platform
• Mentoring and counseling women and girls to help them build soft skills and hard skills that will help advance their careers
• Partnering with NGOs, academia, corporations, government, Chambers of Commerce, professional groups and other organization to advance women in technology

Three focus areas that SheTek has introduced include: SheTek STEM, SheTek Build and SheTek Power.

SheTek STEM is focused on introducing young minds to the opportunities that exist in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The SheTek STEM program focuses on mentorships, hands-on workshops, field trips, unforgettable experiences and lasting friendships. SheTek STEM partners with community organizations and non-profits to develop and support programs that will have a lasting impact on the girls who participate.

SheTek Power is designed to further support young women navigating a career in tech and focused on female students attending college by providing them with additional support outside of classes, programs and accelerators. Efforts are specifically tailored to empower young women through mentorships, soft skill training, community, internships and upon graduation access to jobs through the SheTek talent pipeline. A partnership with City College of New York Code was introduced where SheTek will operate as an extension of CCNY Code providing resources specific to the needs of the programs female students.

SheTek Build provides training and education for women who are either re-entering the workplace, interested in learning marketable skills to help with career advancement or for entrepreneurs who wish to gain knowledge on leading technology trends. The initial SheTek Build training series will focus on Cyber Security with the first Cyber Clinic taking place on the afternoon of January 9, 2019 from 1-5pm prior to the official launch of SheTek. The clinic is for women interested in exploring a career in cybersecurity or learning more about how to protect their personal or businesses online identity. Registration for the clinic is complementary and can be reserved by visiting the SheTek Website.

SheTek core programs will be supported by contributions made from corporate partnerships. Financial resources will be allocated to the development of the programs with 10% of contributions donated to The SOFKIN Girls Education Fund, a 501C3 charity based in New Jersey and India.

For more information on SheTek visit: www.shetek.net or on social @shetekglobal

About SheTek and PamTen:

SheTek is a program offered through PamTen Inc., a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). PamTen provides technology information services to a diverse set of clients, from small businesses to large corporations and has been ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, placing them among the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Services include: IT staffing, strategic advisory services, custom IT solutions, cyber security services, and product development. With offices in USA, Canada, & India, PamTen provides solutions to companies in industries including: Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Healthcare, Financial, Retail, Energy, and more. Awards and recognition include: Inc. 5000, NJBIZ Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies; NJ Best 50 Women in Business; Top 20 Most Promising Web Development and Design Solution Providers.

About SOFKIN:

SOFKIN is a non-profit organization registered in New Jersey, USA, and Hyderabad, India. The organization supports the upbringing of under privileged children, irrespective of name or nationality, caste or creed, race or religion, by providing basic amenities, education and medical aid in a secure and healthy environment. SOFKIN is currently supporting over 90 children in five homes in Pune and Hyderabad, India. The children inducted into SOFKIN homes go to regular schools and have been performing well in both academics and extracurricular activities. PamTen has been sponsoring SOFKIN projects for over a decade by sponsoring education and providing internship and job opportunities to children of SOFKIN.

An initiative by PamTen Inc. that cultivates a national pipeline of women in technology to meet the technology needs of companies