NOVEMBER 2014
How Ruby Ku Humanizes Human Services with Aunt Bertha Design. Start. Code.
Wicked Problems Welcome to Velma’s November issue! In this issue of Velma Magazine, we explore how women in Austin are tackling wicked problems of social complexity through technology. These issues are incomplete and contradictory, and pose changing requirements; and yet, in the absence of solving these types of problems, our society suffers. The value of solving these wicked problems is a better society for future generations. And what’s interesting about the process of solving these particular issues is the necessity to embrace change and not accept injustice, inequality, or general mediocrity. Self-awareness unlocks this ability. The best problem solvers know how their own minds work and, therefore, are able to tap into the minds of others. Within the following pages you’ll explore the minds of women in Austin who are tackling wicked problems through their self-awareness and empathy for others. When it comes to solving wicked problems, a community of participation is required. Coordinated networks and organized systems solve wicked problems. The women you’ll soon read about understand that they need to tap into niche interest advocates and eventually the general public in order to effect sustainable change. Why are women particularly good at solving wicked problems? It’s the direct result of how girls are raised. Studies have shown that women are agents of change in their families, communities, and countries. I hope you enjoy reading about a few of the amazing women creating positive change by solving wicked problems in Austin. Warm regards, Jess Lowry
Jess Lowry, Founder of Velma Magazine
Meet the Velma Staff
Jessica Lowry grew up in Toronto, Canada and is founder of Clave, LLC, the force behind Key to the Street, SheHacksATX, SheDesignsATX, and now, Velma Magazine. Her knack for thinking outside the box and passion for broadening the perspective of others by creating communities that help conquer fear has inspired these creations and powers Jessica’s collaborative aspirations. She has lived on three different continents but settled in Austin two years ago and can often be found unwinding at barre3, walking around Town Lake, or at Barton Springs Pool. She believes that Velma “will show women (and men) a world devoid of fear and enriched by courage,” believing in the spirit of the magazine because “everyone deserves the chance to live their best lives possible.”
@jeslowry
Claire Dunn, a native Austinite who returned after
spending a year in London, is a Digital Producer helping organizations build meaningful relationships with their audiences through engaging social media experiences. Claire is an academically inclined teen media junkie, having previously composed extensive research on Gossip Girl and is currently conducting a close read of Pretty Little Liars without a shred of guilt. She’s also an aspiring mixologist and the loving caretaker of a scruffy little shelter mutt. Claire’s involvement with Velma stems from her belief that “the techie female Austinite’s voice is clear and strong – it’s just needed the perfect avenue for amplification.”
@clairejordanATX
Jennifer Aldoretta has one of the best job titles ever,
and as Co-Groover and CEO of Groove she makes tools that educate and empower women to take control of their reproductive health and fertility. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Jennifer has lived in Austin for a little over a year and can be found riding her bike all around town, often in search of kale and/or dark chocolate. Jennifer is featured in the first issue of Velma and believes in the mission of the magazine because, in her own words, “I think it will help inspire the next generation of change-makers.”
@JAldoretta
Kelly Hitchcock, a technical writer at CSID specializing in APIs and SDKs, hails from Kansas City but has called Austin home for over three years. She is an accomplished writer currently working on her third fiction novel. When not wordsmithing technical documentation, short stories, and poetry, Kelly heads to the gym to stay sane. Her indulgences include watching mass amounts of football on the weekends and ordering the house wine at Winebelly. Kelly believes in Velma because “the women in tech scene in Austin needs more light and less heat. I know too many local female developers and other tech professionals that it’s silly for them to feel alone.”
@KellyHitchcock
Nicholle Jaramillo is from Orange County, CA and
has called Austin home for two years. As Event Manager at Capital Factory, Austin’s entrepreneurial center of gravity, Nicholle coordinates the pre-planning and on-site execution of 40+ events a month, including hackathons, meetups, VIP receptions, and, most notably, a visit from the President and White House staff in 2013. Nicholle has a prolific sweet tooth, indulges in all things Star Wars – and Harry Potter – related, and aspires to be able to do a cartwheel someday. For Nicholle, Velma is about “breaking down barriers, providing a community to spark positive conversation, and helping make big things happen. Velma provides a platform for women to voice their opinion, offer resources that might otherwise not be available, pursue an idea, ask for tips or help, and so much more.”
@NicholleJ
Valle Hansen is a Senior UX Researcher who asks peo-
ple questions about the Internet and then tries to figure out how to make it a better experience for them. Valle grew up in New Jersey but has called Austin home for over four years. Valle has a knack for controlling her face, a weakness for pretzels, and a guilty pleasure in watching Tommy Lee Jones. Valle believes in Velma because, “Women in tech are few. There should be spaces for women in tech (and everywhere) to feel heard / empowered / supported / proud / nervous / scared / frustrated / humble / hilarious / awesome without having to scream too loud or look too hard. Thanks, Velma.”
@valletown
Meet the
Cover Artist Danielle Selby
is a recent transplant to Austin and is originally from Abilene. She’s an artist & designer at Pasadya, where she creates illustrations, abstract fine artwork, murals, and logos; she brings these skills to Velma as well and is to credit for the staff sketches featured here. She’s also a photographer, specializing in photos of “loving families, beautiful people, and simplistic scenery.” Danielle is a proud owner of a socially awkward Boston terrier and an accomplished baker of lemon meringue pies. Danielle finds Velma a refreshing addition to her life and enjoys being surrounded “by bright, supportive individuals who are both generous and courageous to share their skills and experiences with others who are excited to learn.” Danielle is also responsible for the amazing photographs seen throughout this month’s issue of Velma.
@DanieSelby
SheDesignsATX + SheHacksATX =
AWESOME!
There is no other event in Austin that pairs women coders and founders for a day of hacking. And this time we’re inviting designers to create complete product teams. Originally, the idea of creating an event for founders to find help with their software product seemed simple enough. Women struggle more than any group to secure funding and scale their startup. As more women get into tech, too few opportunities remain to develop the leadership skills necessary for career advancement. Although there is much debate about why few women hold c-level jobs, get into technology, and remain in their careers for the long haul, events like SheHacksATX and SheDesignsATX help narrow the conversation and focus on taking action. Through practice, women develop the confidence to advance their skills and career goals. Startup founders get the benefit of expert help, while coders and designers get to practice their consultancy and leadership skills. We’ll be pairing up female founders with women coders and designers for the largest event of its kind.
Join Us
December 5–7, 2014 Learn more about the event and RSVP »
Women in Tech:
A Cinderella Story
by holly gibson
Meet the
author Holly Gibson is a full-stack web developer and non-profit leader specializing in Ruby on Rails, graphic design, operations and event management. She is an alumna of MakerSquare, an immersive RoR development program focused on project-based learning, pair programming and test driven development. Holly is an advocate for disability rights and concerned about issues of marginalization in every sphere of society. Her passion for diversity in the tech industry led her to become an organizer for Austin’s Women Who Code meetup. Holly also volunteers her coding skills at Imagine Art, a non-profit art studio for artists with disabilities. JOB TITLE: Lead Developer, DevOp COMPANY:
Learning List
FOLLOW: @hollyrgibson www.linkedin.com/in/hollyrgibson
See her
workspace
I love fairy tales. One of my favorites is Cinderella. Before you roll your eyes, you should know that I’m not a super-feminine, tiara-wearing princess. I don’t need a guy—although I do have an awesome husband—to make my fairy tale come true. I respect Cinderella because she outwits the wicked stepmother. There is something primal in me that appreciates good triumphing over evil. This desire for justice is why I became the director of Women Who Code Austin. There is a wicked problem facing the tech industry: the giant disparity in gender employment. Recent numbers show that even industry leaders, such as Google, Apple, Twitter, and Facebook, have only 10–18 percent of their technical positions filled by women. We’ve attributed this disparity to many reasons: the prevalent sexual harassment in the industry, the lack of support for girls studying STEM fields, the bias against hiring women of childbearing age, and just plain ignorance toward the treatment of women.
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Last year I had the privilege to moderate a panel of women developers at a tech meetup on the issue of ... scientific research demonwomen in tech. During the Q&A, a male developer in the crowd asked why we need women in tech— strates that women bring what value do they really bring to the industry? I was monetary value to the techstunned to silence. I took it for granted that people didn’t need more reasons than the fact women nology field.” should have equality in the industry. I didn’t have a definitive answer as to what inherent qualities women bring to tech. Ironically, another male developer asked if he could reply to the question. He cited research that shows increased team performance and company profits when there are diverse teams. With piqued curiosity, I hunted for these studies. In March, the Anita Borg Institute released a report highlighting the advantages gained by tech companies when they have mixed-gender teams. Innovation by Design: The Case for Investing in Women outlines four areas that are directly impacted when women are present within a company.
Increased Innovation Women bring diversity and strength to strategy and ideation processes.
Improved Operational and Financial Performance Since women possess a higher percentage of purchasing power than men, companies need to have women involved in the product design because they will know what other women want.
Better Problem Solving and Group Performance According to research, diverse teams solve problems more effectively than homogeneous ones. This gives teams that include women a greater competitive edge, increasing their overall performance.
Enhanced Company Reputation Talent acquisition is fiercely competitive. Qualified applicants are looking for companies that have reputations for developing and promoting women at every level. So, equality argument aside, scientific research demonstrates that women bring monetary value to the technology field. Although we have data confirming the benefits of closing the gender gap, it doesn’t solve how we change the culture to attract and retain women. How do we get women into the technology industry? Organizations like Girls Who Code and Black Girls Code are tackling the issue of getting more girls interested in STEM fields. Women 2.0, MotherCoders, Latinas in Computing, and many more organizations provide fast on-ramps into jobs, networking, and career support. On a national level, The White House Council on Women and Girls and The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy continue to develop policies and programs to advance girls and women in STEM. On a local level, I am honored to support Austin women working in technology through Women Who Code. We exist: To INSPIRE women to pursue technology careers
Hang out
To EMPOWER women to excel in their technology careers To PROVIDE an environment where networking and mentorship are valued Austin WWCode provides tech talks, study groups, career development, and networking events. We also partner with other local groups such Girl Develop It, SheHacksATX, PyLadies, and Austin All-Girl Hack Night to create a stronger community for our Austin women in technology.
with women in tech
Together, we will design our own fairy tale.
Check out Austin’s chapter of Women Who Code here! Resources:
Bloomberg, Gender Disparity Anita Borg Institute, Innovation by Design
Hang out
with women in tech
Want to meet other women in tech? There are lots of events is Austin that help foster our city’s women in tech community. No matter your interests, there are plenty of ways to get involved. And the best part: you’ll get to connect with tons of amazingly talented women. Check out Velma’s Back Pages to learn more about women in tech events in Austin.
A Vote of
Confidence By Amanda kay Phillips
Meet the author Amanda has lived in Austin for a little over a year and grew up just outside of town in quaint Wimberley. You know she’s a true Austinite deep down, though, as she could never live without breakfast tacos. She’s the creator of ATX Votes, which makes it “super easy for anyone to vote with confidence in (and for) Austin.” She excels at Nancy Drew–like habits such as reading and researching and can often be found at Local 301, her workspace and hanging-out-there-just-because space. Amanda supports Velma because, “It’s everything we need in tech right now; it’s strong in quality, promotes creativity and equality, and is filled with passionate people who are striving to make the world better.” JOB TITLE: Founder
COMPANY: ATX Votes
FOLLOW: @ATXVotes
See her
workspace
The first time I ever went to a voting booth, I drove twenty miles to the Senior Center and walked right in. There wasn’t any wait, just some local ladies handing out stickers and pens. I wandered around, made it into a booth, and stared at the voting screen. And stared some more. There was a list of names for the “City Coordinator.” I panicked. Was I in the right place? I peeked around the curtain that separated me from the two sweet ladies who were running the voting booths. “Is this for the presidential election?” They laughed and said yes. I turned back and randomly picked a name. Another list of names popped up, this time for County Judge. I picked the name farthest to the right (physical direction, not political) and continued pressing random names until I got to the presidential nominees. If you’re shaking your head right now, then we’ll get along fine. This past year, I moved back to Austin from Wimberley, the clean-air, swimming-hole-filled town I had
grown up in. I was on my own for the first time, paying my own bills, living with my boyfriend in a small apartment, and loving every minute of it. I was experiencing the true nature of Austin: the bootstrapped living of a creative. Months after I had settled in, I was driving and seeing picket signs scattered everywhere. They displayed the words “Vote Here,” along with names of people who were a complete mystery to me, surrounded by red, white, and blue banners. This was my first time in a bigger city, and there had always been something about Austin that made me want to go out and clean the roads, hand out books, be a real upstanding citizen. In a moment of civic pride, I decided I wanted to vote. Immediately, I went home and started Googling. What I discovered was an absolutely absurd rabbit hole of information. I found blogs telling me who to vote for, candidate websites, and Facebook pages screaming “Vote for Me!” Newspaper articles of elections that happened years ago and countless sites filled with just bits and pieces of all the information I needed. Then I found it. The County Website. Here it was! Telling you exactly what the next election was all about!
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I didn’t have time to shuffle through newspapers, scroll through candidates’ social media, or run around town going to debates. I definitely didn’t have time to go through government websites and attempt to piece together information from PDFs.”
However, I soon discovered that government websites are a deeper, darker sort of black pit. When I started looking around, I was dragged through PDF after PDF, each one containing lists of names/dates of “important” information that I could barely put together to get a clear picture of what was happening. I have spent days on that website and, even now, find things I haven’t seen before. Why was this so hard? I didn’t have time to shuffle through newspapers, scroll through candidates’ social media, or run around town going to debates. I definitely didn’t have time to go through government websites and attempt to piece together information from PDFs. At the ATX Hack for Change this year, I found a group of like-minded Austinites and got together a demo site for what we wanted up and running in a weekend. The ultimate goal is to provide four things: who, what, where, and when. Who are the candidates? What is the election for? Where can I vote? When can I vote? All of this information on a beautiful, easyto-use platform. Completely nonpartisan; no slander, endorsements, or rumors. Just the objective facts for voters to use however they want.
I’ve started compiling all the information I’ve found, and advertising on Facebook and Twitter, giving out links to amazing resources and notifying people when they can start voting, last days to register, and other pertinent voting info. If you want to know what’s going on in the election in layman’s terms, follow me. Ask me questions. I can’t express enough how much I want everybody to understand. I don’t care who you vote for, as long as you vote consciously. Cut out the guesswork. Embrace your local government! This is where change starts! ATXVotes, on Facebook, Twitter, and (soon) .com. Simple, just like it should be.
cast your
vote
To make sure your voice is heard in the upcoming November 4 election, here’s some info to help get you to the polls: 1. Register. Even though it’s too late to register for the upcoming election, it’s never too early to register for the next election. Fill out an application here, and check your registration status here. 2. Do your research. Elections aren’t just about the names you see on signs all over town. Know your candidates, know the issues they stand for, and understand the ballot measures. Check out Ballotpedia for links to important resources. 3. Find your polling place. Locate your polling place here, and be sure to make time to vote between 7am and 7pm! 4. Vote!
Work...reinvented.
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Becoming Pie-oneers for Peace By kelly hitchcock
Meet the PIE-ONEER Luanne, an Austinite of seven years, grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an artist and designer at Lu & Co Studios and founder of Peace Through Pie, as well as a lecturer in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. She is especially skilled in all things art and design, finding strength in creativity and collaboration. Luanne enjoys travel and visiting friends wherever they may be. For Luanne, “Velma represents a hugely important, forward-thinking approach to communication, empowerment, and creative action!�
JOB TITLE: Founder
COMPANY: Peace Through Pie
FOLLOW: @LuanneStovall
See her
workspace
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1995, Luanne Stovall was hanging out at home when she was “called by the pie.” She felt it was odd to have a holiday without a food tradition, so she went into the kitchen and baked a buttermilk pie with “I have a dream” scrawled on top in cake icing. Since she knew her friends were also sitting at home with nothing to do on this scarcely celebrated holiday, she called them up and invited them over to come have a slice of her pie and talk about peace. Years later, Peace Through Pie was born.
Radical Hospitality Peace Through Pie is a nonprofit platform that gives people tools to host Peace Through Pie Socials, community forums to share recipes and stories, and further ideas for starting discussions
about equity and peace. The first Peace Through Pie Social was held at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, but the phenomenon has spread to the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, public schools, and other local groups. “[It] is very intentional,” says Stovall. “It opens a safe space, since so much of who you are is in your food.” The beauty of pie as a tool for peacemaking is that it works in the same way it’s depicted in olde tyme cartoons—a pie covered in a gingham tea towel sits out on a windowsill to cool, and the flavor steam attracts passersby who gather and start a conversation. “Pie is a gesture of reconciliation, and food is the watering hole that brings us together,” Stovall says. Peace Through Pie works by Peace Through Pie wants to spread connecting different groups of people excitthe message that not only is it okay ed about sharing stories and recipes, united in their vision for cultivating peace one slice for people of all races and genders, at a time.
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but that the holiday is uniquely qualified to give everyone a seat at the table and initiate these conversations.”
Our Difficult History with Race
Stovall believes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the perfect holiday to begin a tradition of celebrating peacemaking through food because it’s our newest, and one that people are still figuring out how to observe. People still see it as “the black holiday” despite the fact that King’s message transcended race, gender, and time. As such, Peace Through Pie wants to spread the message that not only is it okay for people of all races and genders, but that the holiday is uniquely qualified to give everyone a seat at the table and initiate these conversations. “This new holiday, it’s not about a certain country, a certain religion, a certain gender, or a certain race. It’s about cultivating our dreams, supporting peace in a community.” “Just like we’re not post-race, we’re not post-gender either,” Stovall says, but also believes women are “uniquely hardwired to solve wicked problems.” Although they have historically been discouraged from joining the table when big ideas are discussed, women have also held the power of food—and feeding ourselves and others is no longer the drudgery it once was when General Mills invented the Betty Crocker caricature. In this way, women have a unique position of power for bringing people together for these kinds of big-idea conversations in a genuine and sustaining way.
Crowdsourcing Peace Peace Through Pie has grown in its short history through a network of community partners. The Peace Through Pie platform relies on technology to organize these experiences, share ideas,
brand events, and get the message out. “People are doing great things, but they can’t share them, and they don’t call them peacemaking.” Stovall plans to grow this interactive platform into a foundation and collaborate with restaurants and more community partners to show people how the simple act of baking a pie can make a difference. “Peace is not something we are excluded from. We’re the boots on the ground, and there is enormous potential.”
Click to watch “I have a dream”
Image: U.S. Embassy New Delhi/Flickr
GirlConnect Codes: Empowering Girls by Teaching Technology, Media Literacy, and Self-Expression
By ally miller
Meet the
Ally Miller
author
Ally helps bring technology into the programs that GENaustin has for young women in Austin so that they can become more comfortable and confident using computers and harnessing the power of technology to voice their opinions. GENaustin has programs for girls in grades 3–12 all over central Texas to explore and share what their experiences are on being a girl. Ally loves woodworking, learning metalworking for jewelry design, and is fantastic at making puns. In her own words, “I believe in Velma because I think it creates a supportive community for women to share their stories, opinions, and to connect with each other.” JOB TITLE: FOLLOW: GirlConnect Program Coordinator @GirlConnectGEN www.GENaustin.com COMPANY: GENaustin
See her
workspace
“You can’t be what you can’t see.” –Marian Wright Edelman, Founder, Children’s Defense Fund Although women make up more than half of the workforce, we remain underrepresented in many of the STEM fields, including engineering, computer science, and the physical sciences, based on reports from the National Science Foundation. There are many cultural factors that influence this: For example, many still hold to implicit beliefs that women tend to be less competent than men in “male” jobs, and stereotypes of girls not being good at math and science affect how girls perceive their own abilities. Girls also may believe that they have to perform twice as well as boys because of these stereotypes and hold themselves to higher standards. If they don’t meet those higher standards, they may not continue to aspire to STEM careers. Given these challenges, where does one begin to try to change it for girls today? There are many unique pressures of girlhood, and one of them is the pressure to be good at everything.
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When we are young girls, we possess a strong can-do spirit and willingness to try new things. An alarming trend among girls is that their fearless enthusiasm fades as they enter their teen years. When I was a girl, I remember being determined to help a camper fix her flashlight. I had no fear of failing. By the time I reached middle school, I remember not being as eager to try new things. At GENaustin, the Girls Empowerment Network, we believe some antidotes to that trend in girls are strong self-esteem and lots of opportunities to build new skills for life—whether that’s learning to use technology, analyzing images in the media, or strengthening their relationships with peers and parents.
When girls face pressure to be good at everything they do, a less-than-perfect performance on a new subject or skill can affect their interest in learning more. It decreases their likelihood to pursue these challenging fields of study.”
I work with girls of all ages, and I see this wicked problem facing girls year after year. It’s a cycle of self-doubt and a lack of role models that discourages girls and women from pursuing some careers, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math. When I lead elementary school girls in activities exploring gender rolesstereotypes, some quickly rattle off a number of stereotypes, like, “Technology is not for girls” and “Girls aren’t good at science.” How do we fight those cultural messages and help them overcome their fears of trying something new and challenging? When girls face pressure to be good at everything they do, a less-than-perfect performance on a new subject or skill can affect their interest in learning more. It decreases
their likelihood to pursue these challenging fields of study. We all lose when the cycle of stereotypes about girls persist. Both girls and women miss opportunities to become or to develop positive role models, and society loses because without the experiences and knowledge of the female half of society, we will continue to have very limited views and inflexible representations of the human experience. I coordinate a program at GENaustin called GirlConnect, supported by Interactive Intelligence, and we work with women from the technology community to stop this cycle. GirlConnect teaches high school girls how to develop their own websites and provides an introduction to web programming languages. By creating a safe and supportive space where girls can try new things, make mistakes, and have the guidance of women mentors who work in technology, we work to create a new cycle. In this supportive cycle, girls are not afraid to try and to learn something new. Both little changes like making sure that girls are also encouraged in the classroom to study math and science, and big changes like creating programs and publications for girls and women in STEM, are what we need to create a new pattern. When we encourage them to take risks, work hard, and learn something new, we see their dreams and goals for the future take flight, not fade.
empower girls in your community
Make a difference by getting involved with GENaustin. GENaustin offers tons of amazing programs for girls to the Austin area that help them grow more confident and self-assured. GirlConnect needs women volunteers to facilitate workshops or help develop curriculum in Spring 2015. Please contact volunteer@genaustin. org or call 512-808-4044 ext. 107. For more information about GirlConnect, visit http://genaustin.org/what-we-do/girlconnect/.
Soma Vida “Soma Vida is intended to be more than just another local business. Our mission is to inspire and illuminate the possibilities for work/life balance to participate in a workspace and wellness revolution.” — Laura Shook-Guzman, Founder, CEO/Owner
Our Revolution We are participating in a global movement, shifting the paradigm of how we work. We support a new generation of entrepreneurs, healers, creative thinkers, and people who are transforming the world!
A New Way to Work Move beyond the home office or local coffee shop! Dazzle your clients in one of our stylish
workspaces or throw a celebratory soiree in our boutique-style venue. Whether you are looking for a place to work or space to entertain, Soma Vida is available for hourly, daily, or weekend rentals. We provide a professional space with a unique personal touch.
Ready to see the space? You can schedule your tour with one of our community managers by visiting: https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/SVUFMM#/services Select the Category: “Client Services” and then select “Space Tour” or “Phone Call w/ a Community Manager” Pick a time that works for you.
Ready to sign up? You can get started today! Activate your membership online by completing our Work Well Membership Contract. Select the option that works for you and you will be directed to a digital contract with prompts you to add your contact and payment information https://sv.memberclicks.net/member-benefits Email membership@somavida.net with any questions or assistance.
Playing Politics with Science
By Sheril kirshenbaum
Meet the
author Sheril Kirshenbaum Sheril is the Director of the UT Energy Poll at The University of Texas at Austin and has been in Austin for three and a half years. As Director of the UT Energy Poll, SheriI makes complex science topics accessible to the public and encourages scientists and policymakers to talk to each other more often. She keeps a foodie soft spot for both Uchiko and TacoDeli alike, loves writing, and haunts Dolce Vita on Duvall when not at work. Sheril views Velma with great optimism: “How do we achieve greater parity in the STEM workforce? I suspect that when we increase the visibility of women doing science, math, engineering, and computing, tomorrow’s science and innovation leaders will include a lot more of them. Velma agrees.” JOB TITLE: Director of the UT Energy Poll
FOLLOW: @Sheril_
COMPANY: University of Texas at Austin
See her
workspace
Every year, a handful of young women and men with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) are sent to Washington, DC, to work in science policy in order to apply their expertise to critical issues like energy, conservation, and climate change. They are called science fellows and are funded through several federal agencies and scientific societies. Nearly a decade ago, I was one of them. I had studied marine biology, but my graduate work included a good deal of policy training, so I thought I had a fair sense of how politics worked. I imagined I would be able to help incorporate scientific “facts” into the political discourse and, in doing so, help ensure new policies were crafted based on the best new research available. I was not prepared for Congress. In reality, I had no idea what really moved legislation because I had been living in an academic bubble with like-minded friends and colleagues who had similar policy priorities. Here are just a few things I learned about Congress: 1) When you hear about “R&D” over and over on the first day at work, don’t get too excited. It turns out that not everyone in your office is interested in Research and Development (aka “science stuff”) like you. In Congress-speak, R&D stands for Republicans and Democrats.
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2) Most staffers working on issues related to science research and innovation
...when it comes to decision-making at the highest levels of governance, we’re all people.”
are not scientists. While many of them are very educated and quite bright, they often don’t have the scientific expertise to judge which lobbyist or nonprofit or academic institution to trust on any given issue. And they hear a wide spectrum of opinions every day that are supposedly “based on the latest science.” 3) Many of the people making key policy decisions in congressional offices are young – particularly in the House of Representatives. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; we just don’t always envision 20- and 30-somethings running the country. Perhaps the most important takeaway from the experience was recognizing that, when
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Finding solutions means we must invest in research, but if a nation’s priorities can be illustrated by how we spend tax dollars, the US isn’t very focused on finding solutions.”
it comes to decision-making at the highest levels of governance, we’re all people. And people have a habit of letting their own experiences and perspectives inform the way they think on any given issue. And often, that influences policy. When a background in science isn’t part of a staffer’s training, the outcome may be poor science policy decisions, which impact the future of innovation and competitiveness in the United States. While science is central to every
significant challenge we face in the twenty-first century, it’s frequently treated as a special interest group, if considered at all. And that matters when it comes to figuring out what to do about climate change or how we’ll increase agricultural yield by 70–100 percent in order to feed 9 billion people by 2050, or what to do about global water depletion. These aren’t science’s challenges; these are humanity’s challenges. Finding solutions means we must invest in research, but if a nation’s priorities can be illustrated by how we spend tax dollars, the US isn’t very focused on finding solutions. In 1960, 12 percent of the federal budget went to (the scientific) R&D. Today, it’s just 3.4 percent. And things are likely to get worse if the Republican-led House Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology continues to insist that the National Science Foundation justify how every basic science grant it awards will benefit the nation. If we want more informed representation, today’s young scientists should be looking for opportunities to apply their expertise beyond the traditional academic career path. By giving voice to a broad spectrum of issues at the policy level, we will enact better policies, increase research funding, and restore science to its rightful place.
Discover
Austin bloggers There are tons of other women bloggers in Austin. Want to meet some? Check out Velma’s Back Pages.
Align your brand with Velma Velma Magazine is seeking advertisers to enable us to publish future issues. Our goal is to help increase opportunities for women advance in their career. We cover stories about women in Austin who are leading inspiring careers and represent the diversity of our industry. There remains a lot of confusion concerning equal opportunities for women in the workplace. Especially in male-dominated fields. Our goal is to help men and women reach a greater level of empathy through the stories we publish. Men are our allies in resolving the remaining barriers which hold us back.
How Ruby Ku is Humanizing Human Services with Aunt Bertha
By jess lowry & ruby ku
Meet
ruby
Ruby has lived in Austin for four years and has previously lived in Hong Kong, Vancouver, and Toronto. She is Product Manager at Aunt Bertha, a search engine that lets you find the help you need with just a zip code, anything from food, housing, education, or health. Ruby helps make sure Aunt Bertha is useful and easy to use. “And I figure out all the steps and all the people I need to get there!” She keeps busy with her two dogs and spending time renovating the 109-year-old house she owns with her husband. Ruby supports the spirit of Velma, “because ‘more women in tech’ isn’t going to be accomplished by having more men saying we need more women in tech, recruiting women so their company ratio looks better, or giving more speaking slots to women at conferences. But it is going to be accomplished by exposing, featuring, and women telling stories of other women in tech so that eventually, ‘women in tech’ becomes so common that it’s no longer a thing. You don’t ever hear anyone say ‘men in tech,’ do you?” FOLLOW: @rubyku www.auntbertha.com
See her
workspace
A “wicked problem” is usually defined as a social or cultural problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete or contradictory knowledge, the number of people and opinions involved, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize. One often thinks of big abstract problems like poverty, education, or access to clean drinking water as types of wicked problems. However, it’s not until we, ourselves, are faced with a life crisis—divorce, job loss, illness, eviction—that we realize how finding help in a crisis situation and navigating the system is in itself a huge wicked problem in the US. Here in Austin, navigating the availability of services can be especially daunting. In a 2013 research study, Greenlights for Nonprofit Success reported: The Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has more nonprofits per capita than any other major MSA in Texas. In fact, the Austin MSA has more nonprofits than any other major MSA in the South-
“
it’s not until we, ourselves, are faced with a life crisis—divorce, job loss, illness, eviction—that we realize how finding help in a crisis situation and navigating the system is in itself a huge wicked problem in the US.”
west US. Travis County alone is home to 3,769 nonprofits (or 3.5 per 1,000 residents) and has added nearly 900 new organizations over the past 10 years. One answer to this particular wicked problem is Aunt Bertha, a free-to-use online platform that makes it easy for anyone in the US to find and apply for social services. Founded by Erine Gray in 2010, Aunt Bertha originated from one man’s quest to find suitable care and services for his mother who suffered severe brain damage and became disabled. Navigating the system opened his eyes to the dysfunction inherent to the disability support system. Despite the many nonprofits that exist, he didn’t know what services were available for his mother’s conditions and what she would be qualified for. And when they did find programs, it was difficult to get through the application process. Fast-forward several years: Erine found himself working with the State of Texas, looking at improving the way people find out about social service programs and how they apply for them. Because of the economic downturn, enrollment levels for such programs exceeded what the State could accommodate. When Erine and his team realized many people were calling just to check on their application status, or needed information on alternatives if their food stamps wouldn’t come
in time, they redesigned the call center menu to allow for more of a self-service approach, cutting down call time to an operation that could scale more efficiently. It was through this work, along with his experience caring for his mother, that made him think to himself, “Would more self-service options in social services be cheaper to implement and less frustrating for the person in need?” It was decided early on that Aunt Bertha would not be a nonprofit, so that it wouldn’t be competing for the same grant dollars with the agencies and individuals it hopes to serve. Aunt Bertha is a certified B-corporation, meaning it’s a double-bottom-line social enterprise, holding financial sustainability and social impact to the same level of importance. A search engine is the bread and butter of Aunt Bertha and will always be free to use for “seekers” (what the team refers as someone who is in need and looking for help). The team is working toward financial sustainability via multiple revenue streams: 1) they sell real-time reporting analytics of the anonymous search data to city governments, foundations, and other policy makers so they can make funding decisions based on real data; and 2) a digitized application for nonprofits so they can accept applications online, streamlining their process and allowing seekers to submit digitally rather than spending time in line or in search of a fax machine. The team doubled from three to six at the beginning of 2014, after the company successfully raised its first round of funding. Among the new hires was Ruby Ku, a graduate from Austin Center for Design (AC4D) who focuses on tackling big social problems using design thinking, technology, and creative business models. Her role as a product manager involves figuring out how to meet business objectives with limited resources, defining product requirements, and managing biweekly releases so the Aunt Bertha platform keeps evolving based on user feedback. With her background in interaction design and web development, she’s also tasked with rolling up her sleeves to do wireframing and coding. “Every day presents different needs and priorities; you have to do whatever it takes. With such a small team, we all need to take total ownership of our work and see it through to the end.” There are many challenges in managing a product like Aunt Bertha.
As a platform, it’s a digital service for a broad spectrum of users with disparate levels of technical literacy; some may not own a computer or have never set up a personal email account. Compounding this complexity is the necessity to integrate with legacy systems that run on obsolete software. Throughout the vastly distributed network of government agencies, health providers, and nonprofits is a habitualized intake process that starts on paper, and changing behavior and old habits is the biggest challenge of all. To tackle that, Ruby started a practice called Social Mondays where the goal is to meet with social workers on a regular basis to get to know them and their daily routines. Social workers are Aunt Bertha’s biggest ambassadors and their main channel to reach seekers in need. As Ruby puts it, “(I need to) be in their world.” By tracking the entire end-to-end process from social work intake to end user access, Ruby is able to deliver her team specific requirements based on real-life scenarios. She asks subjects to detail scenarios and watches them in action, making it possible for her to identify gaps and humanize the product and data through individual cases. “AC4D taught me how to understand users’ problems, not make assumptions, ask non-leading questions, and externalize what I learned [to read] back to the rest of the team.” Another struggle is the fine line between letting users stay anonymous in their search and really encouraging them to sign up for an account and give Aunt Bertha more of their personal info. If the service has more users’ personal info, it can serve up more relevant results. Reporting analytics will also improve because they can better track on an aggregate level what happens to people who have successfully been connected to a program versus those who have not. Despite all the benefits to forcing users to sign up for an account, many still don’t. Out of principle, the search needs to be anonymous. Once in a while while
working late at night, they look through the search log and discover that some of the search terms are so personal and intimate that it would feel wrong to force users to reveal their identity. They want anyone to be able to search for sensitive topics such as “tampons,” “incest support group,” “domestic violence support,” “help pay for my baby,” and find help without needing to put themselves in an even more vulnerable position. There are more questions than answers when it comes to balancing technology’s reliance on data to provide superior service and the individual’s need for a private pursuit of support, but the team is working hard everyday to find the balance so that Aunt Bertha’s search engine can offer data that’s more robust, personalized, and valuable data to its end users, saving them time and stress in an already stressful time.
woman of note:
Kerry O’Connor is a woman in Austin you should know, or at least know of. Although the role of government doesn’t necessarily change, how citizens interact and experience government is changing. Here in Austin, Ms. O’Connor is at the forefront of this paradigm shift as the first Chief Innovation Officer at the City of Austin. Follow her on Twitter @kerry_atx
Check out
Velma’s Reading List 1. Dark Matter and Trojan Horses by Dan Hill 2. Self-Renewal: The Individual and the Innovative Society by John W. Gardner 3. Wicked Problems: Problems Worth Solving: A Handbook & A Call to Action by Jon Kolko 4. This is Service Design Thinking: Basics, Tools, Cases by Mark Stickdorn & Schneider Jakob
Stories that
inspire Click to learn about Veronika Scott and her work at The Empowerment Plan.
Image: Deborah Edwards-Onoro/Flickr
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Ask Velma:
How do I solve a wicked problem? We turn to expert Kijana Knight Torres for answers.
by valle hansen
Meet the
expert Kijana Knight Torres “I primarily build empathy through exploration and storytelling. I try to walk in people’s shoes to find out what makes them tick—what motivates them, makes them happy, and what frustrates them. Working with designers, artists, and developers, I work to make the world a better place by creating experiences that delight and make sense in real-world contexts.” Kijana has a knack for photography, a love of breakfast tacos, a weakness for shoes and cameras, and enjoys spending time hiking Austin’s Greenbelt. JOB TITLE: Principal Experience Researcher
FOLLOW: @kijanaknight
COMPANY: projekt202
See her
workspace
In Velma’s “Wicked Problems” issue, we discuss several wicked problems and a few of the amazing individuals in Austin who are working to solve them. But how do we figure out what the wicked problems are? Who is most affected by these problems? What research can we do to figure out how to solve them? To help us frame this question more solidly, Velma sought out industry expert Kijana Knight Torres, Principal Experience Design Researcher at projekt202 here in Austin. Kijana presented us with a series of techniques that she uses in design research to suss out exactly what the problems are, where the gaps exist, and what the end users really want or need. From there, she’s able to work with design teams to inform recommendations for solutions that will make the end users’ lives better and easier. The same methodologies, Kijana posits, can be used to identify and solve wicked problems. “To solve a wicked problem,” she says, “you have to involve the people who are involved in it.” This tenet, the crux of the user experience discipline, underscores the absolute necessity of reaching the “end user.”
Step 1: Talk to everyone. To get started solving a wicked problem, Kijana suggests talking to as many people who touch that problem as possible. For example, in trying to create a solution to problems asso-
ciated with homelessness, it would be important to talk not only to current homeless people, but also people who used to be homeless; people who are on the verge of becoming homeless; people who strive to help homeless people, like shelters and food banks. Then, once you’ve talked to as many people as possible, catalogue everything they’ve said and start identifying trends across the individuals that have spoken to you. Here you can start to recognize areas of opportunity and major pain points, things that might be obvious but might also be a surprise. This bottom-up approach allows researches to find solutions driven by real needs, rather than suppositions and guesses. The image here shows an affinity diagram, a tool that design researchers use to identify users’ needs, major trends, major problem areas, and guiding principles. White notes represent individual observations or statements from each user; pink notes help group similar statements together, where “everyone is saying the same thing a little bit differently.” The green notes represent higher-level categories that several user types or user segments might need, and blue offers a guiding principle for moving forward. It is important, Kijana notes, not to try to solve the problem at this discovery stage; judgment and brainstorming ideas should be reserved for later phases of the research process.
Step 2: Identify trends & turn “everyone” into “someone.” The next step after engaging all the people who touch the wicked problem is to try to take a step
back and identify the major user segments. It’s important not to get mired in details, as you’ll end up with too many user segments and start trying to solve for everyone who touches the wicked problem. It’s not possible, Kijana intimates, to make everyone happy. Using everything you’ve learned from secondary research and from talking to the “real people,” create a user persona for each segment. Name the persona, give him or her qualities, goals, motivations, behaviors, and frustrations. These personas (hopefully about four or five total) will help you frame your solutions around real people and keep your eye on the prize.
Step 3: Understand the “process.”
Now it’s time to understand the users’ workflows. Kijana does this by observing people in their natural environment and noting all the things they touch to get to their end goal. In the context of the homelessness example, she says, she would try to shadow as many of the four to five user segment types identified in Step 2 and document what they do, whom they interact with, where they receive services, and so on.
Step 4: Start designing a solution. From this point, you have everything you need to start solving the problems. Kijana points out
that it’s not a science to solve problems, whether wicked problems or design problems; it’s an iterative process that requires a great deal of fine-tuning and finesse, regardless of the research you’ve done. These techniques, she warns, are not foolproof. Even though they involve the end users, she says, “all my recommendations have a big asterisk. We haven’t seen everything and thus are making recommendations based on best practices and conjecture based on a sliver of fact.” Kijana stresses that “the world’s biggest problems deserve the attention of both people who know how to frame and think about problems as well as those who live in and with the problem day in and day out.”
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GirlsGuild:
Turning Problems into a Business By Cheyenne weaver & diana griffin
Meet the authors Cheyenne has a BFA from CalArts, a Master’s in interaction design and social entrepreneurship from the Austin Center for Design, and is currently an impact entrepreneur with UnLtdUSA’s first cohort of social ventures. Cheyenne prides herself on being a packing savant who can “load a car like Tetris with anything —luggage, furniture, clowns.” JOB TITLE: Founders
In Diana’s own words, “We’re interaction designers turned social entrepreneurs, using a design-driven process and learning programming to make our ideas real.” Outside of work, Diana enjoys spending time on bike rides or curled up with a book. Diana believes in Velma because “there are so many smart, creative, awesome women working in Austin’s tech scene, and they deserve to be in the spotlight!”
COMPANY: GirlsGuild
FOLLOW: @TheGirlsGuild
See their
workspace
Ideas are cheap, as the adage goes, but making them real gets expensive. How do you know it’s worth it—not only to you—but to the people who will use it and pay for it?
Start with a problem worth solving. Wicked problems are big social and environmental issues at the systems level. They are an ill-defined, ever-shifting tangle of interdependent issues: things like health care, climate change, education, and food. Their very nature, as problems so big that no single approach can solve them, is what makes them worth trying to solve. When we first started building our business, GirlsGuild, we literally had no idea what it was going to be. We only knew who we wanted to help. We were students at the Austin Center for Design (AC4D), and were in the research stage of a project centered on food and nutrition as a wicked problem.
Choose a small, focused piece of the issue. You’ll never solve all the issues around your problem, but you can make people’s lives better by ad-
dressing a small piece of the puzzle. You’ll need a rigorous process to take it on, and that’s where design thinking can help. The process we learned at AC4D started with narrowing our focus to one facet of food and nutrition: disordered eating behavior in young women. The next step was to use ethnographic research methods to learn about the problem from the people whose lives it affects.
Talk to real people. Find stakeholders who have experienced the problem firsthand, the people you want your idea to benefit. Research their needs to understand their perspective. Design with their input and participation until they’re using something you’ve built, something that has improved some part of their lives. Our stakeholders were teenage girls, women in recovery from eating disorders, and professionals in the field. Through conversations with these women, we realized that addressing food wouldn’t address the root of the problem. Instead, we learned that developing tangible skills and creative voice within a community are key to recovery. These would become the pillars of our design, but first we needed to validate the concept, pilot the design, and integrate feedback. Have you talked to real people and integrated their feedback? Are your stakeholders on board? Yes? Good. You’ve got something worth building. Probably.
Consider the triple bottom line. Along with social impact, there are two other criteria that make up the “triple bottom line” embraced by socially conscious organizations: people, planet, and profit. Including “planet” and “profit” means you should also consider the environmental impact your idea would have, as well as its potential for a sustainable level of revenue. Developing an idea with a triple bottom line slows growth, but helps ensure the idea remains something worth building. We’ve been working on GirlsGuild for 2.5 years, taking the time to iterate on the service and develop our platform based on our community’s needs, while balancing our goals for social, environmental, and financial impact. We’re seeing positive change, and starting to find metrics for success beyond the single bottom line.
Measure impact. Upholding a triple bottom line as you build your idea requires ways to measure impact alongside profits and losses. While there are well-known ways to calculate the financial cost of creating a new product or service, there are still few and disparate ways to monitor environmental and social costs. A few questions that we keep asking ourselves in building GirlsGuild, and that we think should factor into identifying any idea worth building are: Does it make life less complicated? Does it minimize the use of natural resources? Does it lessen pain or anxiety? Does it enable autonomy or agency? Does it level a playing field? Does it allow more room to focus on things that really matter? Does it create a culture of healthy decision-making? Are its true costs worth its benefits? As makers and technologists, we build things—and the things we build have an impact, whether for
good or ill. It’s only by considering the true cost of the things we produce and promote that we can push toward a positive impact.
Take the long view. Traditionally, the standards we’ve upheld have been shortsighted and stockholder-centric. We desperately need methods that connect the idea-generating process of design thinking with true-cost assessment. The traditional startup ecosystem has embraced design thinking as a way to test ideas and get them quickly to market, but this model doesn’t foster impact. Social impact products and services can take years to prove profitable, and generally investors aren’t interested in waiting around. We need to change this, and take a long view that values positive impact alongside profit. Organizations like UnLtd USA are helping GirlsGuild—and others in Austin’s venture scene—do just that, but there’s a lot of room to join this movement. Identifying an idea worth building is the first step toward gaining the support and momentum it takes to affect change. Ideas are cheap, unless they’re driven by a rigorous process focused on the pressing problems of real people.
Calling all ATx women in tech! Join us for SheHacksATX + SheDesignsATX = Awesome Dying to learn more? Check out this page right here.
Resources: Connect
Support Girl Scouts as a Volunteer The Girl Scouts of Central Texas need ongoing help from the Austin community and are always looking for volunteers to participate as troop leaders, mentors, interpreters, event support, and more! They have a wide variety of opportunities for you to get involved depending on your availability and schedule, so it’s easy to help make a difference in the lives of young women in Central Texas.
Bikin’ Betties Social Ride Social Cycling Austin presents Bikin’ Betties, a weekly, beginner-friendly, all-ladies bike ride that ends with drink specials and fun activities (karaoke, mini-golf, outdoor movies, etc.) Along the way, bond with other two-wheelin’ ladies. Join the Facebook group for ride details. Mondays, 8pm. WHERE: Starts and ends at a new place every week, check Facebook group for details. COST: Free
Volunteer with SheHacksATX & SheDesignsATX Clave, LLC is looking for additional volunteers to support the awesome that is SheHacks ATX and SheDesigns ATX. The women-focused hackathons, coming up early next month, support female startups, developers, and designers of all experience levels, but they can’t happen without additional firepower from Austin’s female volunteer base, so join us!
nov 6 IPython Workshop: An Introduction to the Interactive Shell and Notebook PyLadies ATX meetup focuses on the advantages of using the IPython shell (which includes sweet tab-completion of commands, searchable command history, dynamic object information, and “magic” commands) and notebook (which helps you create shareable documents including code, text, and graphics). Food and drinks are provided. WHERE: ACC Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road COST: Free
nov 7 Greater Austin Black Chamber First Friday Office Hours featuring Hopeton Hay & Penny McConnell
Join featured consultant Debra Dibble, Assistant Director, City of Austin, Small & Minority Business Resources Department, alongside Hopeton Hay and Penny McConnell for the opportunity to gain one-on-one business and entrepreneurship insight and advice at the Greater Austin Black Chamber. While you’re there, learn more about the Austin Black Technology Council and the events and opportunities they have to offer in the Greater Austin area. WHERE: GABC Conference Room, 912 E 11th Street COST: Free
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Resources: Discover
Posh Coworking Did you know Austin had a women-only coworking community? Posh is the first and only on the scene, proud to offer pretty private offices, dedicated and drop-in workstations, a collaborative lounge area, and all the standard (caffeinated!) other perks of coworking spaces. Membership prices range from $125 - $400 per month and include access to members-only networking events. WHERE: 3027 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 202
Cartoonist Amber Demure on tumblr Good for laughs and thoughtful moments alike, the cartoon and art of Austinite Amber Demure is a great add to your feed list or for a regular check in. Demure, a food and lifestyle blogger “with a penchant for bubbly drinks” (per Twitter—follow her at @amberdemure) fills her blog and tumblr, in particular, with photography, illustrations, and cartoons that highlight her unique perspective and Austin-centric sense of humor. WHERE: http://amberdemure.tumblr.com/
Hipstercrite From the brain of Lauren Modery, the Hipstercrite blog provides equal parts bleeding edge crituqe of Austin twenty-something hipster culture and insight into what it’s actually like to be living in said culture. Modery is an accomplished screenwriter hailing from New York and currently living in Austin. Key posts range from your classic listicle (“10 Ways to Know If Fitbit Has Taken Over Your Life”) to more longform essays (“In Defense of Relatability in Storytelling”) and all are well worth your time. WHERE: http://www.hipstercrite.com/
nov 19 Farm Camp for Adults Remember the good ol’ days of summer camp, trying new things and learning in the great outfoors? Well the good folks of Green Gate Farms make it possible for you to relive those memories each month by experiencing a Sunday morning farming, gardening, learning about livestock management, and more. The classes are small so you can get the most of out of three hours with your farmer-teachers and meet others with similar interests in the subject. WHERE: New Farm Institute at Green Gate Farms, 8310 Canoga Avenue COST: $150
Velma Jobs
Start working in a job you love. All of these jobs (and volunteer positions) are from companies who help women in technology develop skills that lead to awesome careers.
Development Engineer - Co-op/Intern IBM
IBM is seeking a Development Engineer Co-op or Intern. The Development Engineer is responsible for participating and learning in various aspects of the development and test process, such as: architecture, logic design, circuit design, verification, synthesis, physical design and layout, simulation, performance modeling, chip integration, design methodology, and power optimization. IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=STG-0687158
Front-End Focused Rails Developer thirteen23
thirteen23, the boutique software design and development agency behind the award-winning mobile apps for the Obama campaign, is seeking an iOS or Android Developer. The iOS or Android Developer will be responsible for building apps for some pretty big brands and some of the most influential companies in the world. This individual will be part of a team of hand-picked industry professionals whose resumes boast lots of big awards, some smaller ones, and two we’re pretty sure were just made up. http://thirteen23.com/contact/
Java Programmer
Dept of Family & Protective Services, State of Texas The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is seeking a Java Programmer. The Java Programmer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and supporting the architecture for the computer systems related to the Childcare Licensing Automated Support System (CLASS). This individual will help drive DFPS’s mission to protect children and adults who are elderly or have disabilities and regulate child care. https://jobshrportal.cpa.texas.gov/ENG/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=273779&szReturnToSearch=1&szWordsToHighlight=
Virtual Design Consultant Chaotic Moon
Chaotic Moon, a creative technology studio focused on user-centric designed custom software for a variety of verticals, is seeking a Visual Design Consultant for a 2-month contract with opportunity for extension or conversion. The Visual Design Consultant must have digital project experience, strong UX knowledge, and be able to start immediately at our downtown location. http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/22448/visual-design-consultant
Cinematic Designer (Contract) BioWare Austin
BioWare, a critically-acclaimed and award-winning creator of online games enjoyed by millions, is seeking a talented Cinematic Designer on a contract basis. The Cinematic Designer is responsible for translating scripted scenes into cinematics to drive multi-player experiences. This individual will help drive BioWare’s goal to combine the most engaging competitive multiplayer experiences with deep BioWare storytelling, crafting unforgettable adventures that players won’t find anywhere else. https://career4.successfactors.com/career?company=EA&career_ns=job_ listing&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&career_job_req_id=44943&jobPipeline=Indeed
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Resources: Eat & Drink
nov 7–16 Wurstfest Wurstfest, the two-week-long festival held annually in New Braunfels, celebrates Bavarian culture with a focus on beer and tasty, hearty German food. Wurstfest is best described as “an entire German-inspired carnival complete with games, rides, dancing, music, and food” and if that doesn’t get you excited, how about the opportunity to dress up in your finest dirndls or lederhosen? The festival is updated with new vendors and entertainment each year, so even if you’ve Wursfest’ed before, check it out in 2014! WHERE: 120 Landa St New Braunfels, Texas 78130 COST: $8 through November 6; $10 after MORE INFO: http://wurstfest.com/
nov 15 Austin Fermentation Fest Promising to tickle both brain cells and taste buds, this educational event focusing on fermented foods, drinks, and culture (pun intended!) is produced by the Texas Farmers’ Market, Whole Foods Market, and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and featured keynote speaker and fermentation expert Sandor Katz. Come join the fermentation-focused crowds for workshops, a community culture swap, food and drink vendors, live music, and more. WHERE: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, 3110 Esperanza Crossing, #100 COST: Free, admission with donation available MORE INFO: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-fermentation-festival-tick-
ets-10914328049
nov 26 Shitty Kitty Big Ball BINGO Ms. Rebecca Havemeyer will have you scrambling for letters, numbers, and ya diaper. Drink cheap, win big. What more is there to say? See you there! WHERE: Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth Street COST: Free
Resources: Spend
Local Kickstarter: Window Kitty Solving a problem familiar to all cat owners of destroyed blinds and unexpected passerby eyes, Window Kitty creates a safe place for cats to perch on windowsills. Created by Austin couple Brian and Tina Martinez, Window Kitty’s Kickstarter campaign runs through mid-November. Check out their funding page, which includes a 3D printed working prototype, and chip in at any level to support these cat-loving inventors, or contribute to get your own WIndow Kitty at the $75 pledge level! COST: Funding opportunities from $1 - $145 MORE INFO: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/windowkitty/windowkitty-pro-
tect-your-blinds-protect-your-priva
nov 19–23 A Christmas Affair The Junior League of Austin is bringing back their holiday market again in 2014, hosted at the Palmer Events Center November 19th through the 23rd. This year’s Christmas in the City event features “New York with an Austin flair.” With over 100 merchants participating, this is a great opportunity to knock out the bulk of your Christmas shopping while supporting the Junior League in their biggest fundraiser of the year. WHERE: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road COST: $15 for a day ticket; children under 5 admitted for free MORE INFO: http://www.jlaustin.org/?nd=2011aca
Thanks for reading! velmamagazine.com