From a Workforce Development Prospective

“I really appreciate Bio Eds and Bio Tuesdays and the events that Tech Collective sponsors… The more opportunities I have to go out and meet with the workforce and employers, the prouder I am to live in this robust state and align the Community College to meet the needs of Business.”

Peter N. Woodberry, Ph.D.
Dean of Business, Science and Technology
Community College of Rhode Island

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From an Industry / Media Awareness Perspective:
"The strawberries were just a token of our sincere appreciation for your team suggesting our firm to support the [WJAR NBC 10] ‘hot jobs’ story. This kind of publicity is difficult, if not impossible, to buy but it helps us establish our company here in our market area. I look forward to working more closely with TechCollective in the near term."
March 2010

- In regards to Tech Collective asking NetCenergy to participate in a WJAR News Channel  10 prime time feature on "Hot Jobs" in RI, including in the IT industry. View the video here

Don Nokes
President
NetCenergy

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From an Education/GRRL  Tech Perspective:
"Hi Joann,

On behalf of Davies HS, I would like to both thank you for allowing our students to attend this terrific event as well as congratulate you for coordinating another successful GRLL Tech program. We enjoyed listening to the opening and closing speakers describe how it is possible to follow ones passion and achieve personal goals.

The students also enjoyed listening to the professionals in the various career fields discuss their work. Our chaperones also enjoyed listening to Amgen promote their educational programs in the schools. All in all, we found it a very educational and motivational experience.

I commend you, Tech Collective, and all of your partners who promoted this wonderful educational program for our female students. They will remember this day for many years to come as they pursue their own career dreams.

Thanks again for inviting Davies HS.

Bernie"
March 2010

Bernie Blumenthal
Business & Education Partnerships
William M. Davies Career & Technical HS

From a GRRL Tech Experience:
"Dear Jo Ann,
Thank you so much for including our students in this wonderful day. I know that girls learned so much from the speakers and workshop presenters.  Everyone involved was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It was a great experience for all of us.  We are looking forward to next year already. Please pass along our appreciation to all the wonderful people who were responsible for GRRL Tech.

- Cathy"
March 2009

Cathy Winston
Guidance Counselor
Tiverton High School

From a forums perspective:
"I was very impressed with the Partnership breakfast at the Hope Club. The speakers were prestigious, the information was high level and relevant and the attendees were as impressive as the speakers. The event was indicative of the best of what Rhode Island has to offer and what I have come to expect from the Tech Collective."

Jeffrey S. Deckman
CEO
New Commons

From a Leadership Challenge Event perspective:
The Leadership Challenge Event was enjoyable. Some of the lessons that were mentioned have stayed with me long after the event was over.  For example, at the session we were told how important it was to empower successors to help your company grow to meet new challenges.  The ability to empower others was not a quality I associated with leadership before the Leadership Challenge Event. Now I can see how important it is not only to motivate others to complete their tasks but also to literally transfer your skill set into their hands. Since I have put this principle into practice, I find that my life at work is less stressful; I am no longer the bottle neck to completing certain tasks."
March 2008

Keeley Wray
Cheif Operating Officer, Consulting Services Division
Foresight Science and Technology

From a GRRL Tech and Youth Development perspective:
In reaction to the two Roger Williams University scholarship donations at GRRL Tech 2008: “This is a tremendous opportunity. This is an amazing commitment that has been made to support women in science and women in technology.”
March 2008

Shannon Donovan
Science Teacher
Scituate High School

From a Personal and Professional Growth perspective:
"What an evening [Women in Technology] was! I hope that everyone was happy with the sum total of events. I was inspired by [the speakers] stories, and by the stories that the audience shared. I am sure that there were many more stories that were not shared, but everyone left buoyed upward by a sense of sisterhood - exactly what we had hoped for. It was a pleasure to work with you on this project - great going!"
October 2008

Annie De Groot
CEO
EpiVax, Inc.

From an Event Speaker's perspective:
"[The Women in Technology event] last Thursday was a wonderful event.  We all come from different places and have different experiences but the tools we use to deal with it all are very much the same.  I was inspired!"
October 2008

Beth Zielinski-Habershaw, Ph.D.
Instructor, Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology Division
Brown University

From an Organizational perspective:
"I want to thank the Tech Collective for all its hard work… The state of Rhode Island would not be where it is today without their efforts."
November 2008

Jeff Seemann, Ph.D.
Former Dean of the College of Environment and Life Sciences
University of Rhode Island

From an Events and Best Practices perspective:
"Attending the WIT events is a privilege I do not take for granted! To be around the intelligent, professional and successful women who are driving the RI economy is not only an inspiration, but a palpable lesson on what women can achieve."
August 2008

Enith Morillo
M.S. Supervisor, Raw Materials
Tedor Pharma, Inc.

From a Youth Programs perspective: "
"As a technology business and an ardent advocate of hands-on youth learning, TechComm Partners has been impressed with the connections and industry opportunities which Tech Collective has brought to secondary education. The US FIRST Robotics Challenge and GRRL Tech have raised awareness, inspired collaboration and innovation and have worked to break down outdated and misled STEM barriers. Our state and our students are fortunate to have the dedication, integrity and passion that Tech Collective embeds in all of its initiatives."
November 2008

Trudy Mandeville
CEO
TechComm Partners

From a GWBRI Industry Partnership, Workforce Development and Community Building perspective:
"Over the past year, the Governor's Workforce Board RI has continued its fruitful collaboration with the Tech Collective in the areas of Information Technology and Biotechnology. As one of eight Industry Partnerships, Tech Collective has been a key player in building career awareness for technology-related fields, and has been a strong advocate for short- and long-term educational opportunities that improve key skill sets among the RI workforce. Most recently, the collective has joined with three other GWB industry partners to launch the Industry Skills Development Initiative, which offers targeted training and career exploration among both the existing and future workforce."
December 2008

John O'Hare
Acting Executive Director
Governor's Workforce Board of Rhode Island

From a Networking and Sponsor perspective:
"Tech Collective's All Aboard event allowed us the opportunity to make ourselves known to other technology companies in the region and to renew some old acquaintances. And it was organized so that we could have fun while doing so!"
June 2008 

Leo Mansi
Administration and Training Manager
Systemetrics, Inc.

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From a Networking perspective:
"I felt a great sense of community. It’s energizing to get out and know we’re part of a larger group of wonderful businesses. All sharing the same needs and the same goals; of being the best we can be. Thank you, Tech Collective, for providing these types of opportunities."
June 2008

Phil Carlucci
Vice President, Service Delivery
Hasbro, Inc.

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From a Networking perspective:
All Aboard was different from other networking events because the format encouraged everyone to meet with each other. It was very effective because it allowed me to make a lot of contacts in a fast and efficient manner. “Also, from a Tech Collective standpoint, it was great to see a lot of new faces. It shows that their messages and programs are resonating with a wider audience. And of course, new people mean new and growing opportunities.”
June 12th, 2008

Stuart Freiman
Business Development Manager; IT & Digital Media, Health and Life Sciences
Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

From a Networking and Sponsor perspective:
"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Tech Collective All Aboard event. The Executive Development Center at Bryant University sponsored a table. Jennifer Chasse and I found the event to be valuable and enjoyable. The Ports of Call theme provided an excellent networking opportunity to those comfortable with and those apprehensive of such events. We met many who knew about Bryant’s Executive Development Center already and established new relationships with those who didn’t. We would happily participate in such an event again in the future." 
June 12th, 2008

Paul Dacey
Program Manager
Bryant University, Executive Development Center

From an Event, Storytelling and Networking perspective:
"[The Women in Technology event] was a chance we don't often get in the frenzied world of business...a chance to comfortably sit together and share experiences through storytelling and reflection.  It was apparent that this is a great way to connect person to person in our attempt to learn and grow with one another."
June 2008

Lee A. Silvestre
Mission Innovation
Integrated Defense Systems, Raytheon

From a Networking perspective:
"This was a truly enjoyable event.  The content, delivered in a story-telling style, informed and entertained at the same time.  I also appreciated the ample opportunity to network with peers.  Well done!"

Charles W. Hewitt
Chief Information Officer
City of Providence, Rhode Island

From a Partnership perspective:
"Tech Collective has been a great partner, and a invaluable resource, in our shared technology workforce project. Together we are making solid progress towards the development, and increased diversification, of the workforce in Rhode Island."

Vin Balasco
Community College of Rhode Island

    
   
From an Organizational perspective:
"In my career, I've had the opportunity to be associated with many Technical Organizations.  None have brought the extensive benefits derived from being part of a committed technical community, sharing ideas and experiences, like the Tech Collective has."
December 2007

Phil Carlucci
Vice President, Service Delivery
Hasbro, Inc.