Empowering Immigrant Women to Transition into Tech Careers in the U.S. and Canada
We go beyond tech skills — we empower transformation.
Our unique approach combines self-awareness, mentorship, and emotional intelligence with hands-on training in high-demand areas like Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and IT Support. We equip women to build confidence, master in-demand skills, and thrive in the U.S. and Canadian tech markets.
Authorized Training
Our story
Empowering Women in Tech to Transform Lives
Since 2023, Girls on Firewalls has empowered over 150 women across the U.S. and Canada through our mentorship and training programs — and each transformation story reaffirms our mission.
Beyond our core programs, we’ve also impacted 4,000+ participants through free online workshops, and organically reached a community of 13,000+ followers on Instagram — building a vibrant movement of women breaking barriers and stepping confidently into tech.
Founded by Magda Almeida — a visionary woman, immigrant, and permanent U.S. resident, Cybersecurity expert and manager with 19 years of experience in the tech industry — Girls on Firewalls was created to ignite a bold mission: to close the gender and opportunity gap in the tech industry.
Empowering Women to Break Barriers and Build Careers in Tech
We are dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent immigrant women from entering the tech industry. Through tailored mentorship and training, we empower women to overcome challenges such as language barriers, lack of confidence, and limited local experience, thereby enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in IT.
Creating Opportunities in the IT Industry
Our approach focuses on creating a supportive and nurturing environment for immigrant women to develop their technical skills and gain the confidence to pursue IT careers. We believe in sharing success stories and providing a platform for these women to showcase their achievements.
Building Versatile Skills
At Girls on Firewalls, We emphasize the importance of versatility in the IT field. Our programs are designed to equip immigrant women with a diverse skill set, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in various roles within the tech industry.
Accelerating Access to IT Careers
We are committed to accelerating the entry of immigrant women into the tech workforce. Through strategic partnerships and dedicated support, we facilitate internships, mentorship, and career opportunities, enabling these women to take significant strides in their IT careers.
Comprehensive Customer Support
We provide comprehensive support to immigrant women as they navigate their journey into the IT industry. From mentorship to career guidance, we are committed to ensuring that these women receive the assistance they need to succeed.
Our Program Pillars
1. Career Transition Mentorship
Personalized mentorship to ignite transformation.
Over the mentoring of 12 months, participants receive one-on-one coaching with bilingual mentors who have real-world tech experience. Mentorship sessions include career mapping, confidence-building, mindset development, and structured follow-ups. It's not just about skills — it's about empowering each woman to lead her own professional journey in tech.
2. Hands-On Labs & Certification Prep
Practice-driven learning across core IT domains.
With 180 to 300 hours of training, the program includes immersive labs and simulations in networking, cybersecurity, IT support, and cloud computing. In addition, learners receive focused preparation for in-demand certifications such as CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Cisco Certified — boosting their competitiveness in the tech job market.
3. Job Market Integration
Bridging the gap to employment.
We support participants in securing internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level roles through our network of hiring partners. The program includes LinkedIn profile optimization, job search strategy, simulated interviews, and ongoing application guidance — helping learners take confident steps into the industry.
4. Community Support & Wellbeing
A safe and empowering space to grow.
Our learners belong to a peer community rooted in empathy, collaboration, and mutual support. Mental health, emotional resilience, and mindset workshops are part of the journey. With a family-friendly structure, including flexible study paths, the program is designed to support women, especially mothers and caregivers.
Impact Goals
1. Expand Our Mentorship Model Internationally
- Goal: Launch our proven mentorship program in at least 3 new countries by 2028.
- Purpose: We aim to empower women in underserved communities around the world by giving them access to education, career guidance, and real opportunities in tech.
- Impact Measure: Number of active mentees, certifications earned, and post-program employment outcomes.
2. Build Corporate Partnerships for Age-Inclusive Hiring
- Goal: Establish strategic collaborations with 10+ companies to co-create hiring and upskilling pathways focused on women aged 30+.
- Purpose: This initiative aims to address the dual challenges of gender and age discrimination in tech hiring, enabling mid-career women to successfully transition into IT roles.
- Impact Measure: Number of hires through our partner programs, retention rates, and feedback from participants and employers.
3. Mentor 500 Women by 2028
- Goal: Deliver structured mentorship, hands-on training, and career readiness support to at least 500 women over the next 3 years.
- Purpose: Through our methology mentorship program, we will equip women with technical skills, certifications, and the confidence needed to thrive in IT careers.
- Impact Measure:Number of active mentees, certifications completed, and post-program employment results.
Target Audience
Our programs are designed to support immigrant women residing in the U.S. and Canada, aged 25 and older, who are seeking to transition into a career in Information Technology (IT). This includes:
- Women with no prior experience in IT but a strong interest in entering the field
- Those who are looking to relaunch or redirect their careers within the tech industry
- Individuals facing barriers to access, including lack of local professional networks, or limited exposure to tech career pathways
By focusing on this underserved and often overlooked demographic, our program aims to create equitable opportunities for career mobility, economic empowerment, and long-term success in the digital workforce.
Partnership
We are seeking strategic partnerships with leading companies to:
- Provide internship and apprenticeship opportunities for our program graduate
- Support our training efforts through donations of equipment, access to lab environments, or licensing for certification preparation
- Collaborate on recruitment initiatives focused on entry-level roles for diverse, skilled candidate
- Engage company professionals as mentors, guest instructors, or career speakers
Together, we can create a more diverse, skilled, and inclusive tech workforce.
Why Partner With Us
Access to diverse, bilingual, and driven talent
Strengthen corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts
Be recognized as a leader in inclusive hiring and global equity
Help close the diversity gap in tech while filling real workforce needs
- Massachusetts
- USA