TeLisa Daughtry- CEO & Founder of Fly Technista- United States of America

2021 WE Empower Finalist, Europe and North America

“We are on a mission to empower 1 million women and girls by 2026 to become confident creators, innovators and leaders in technology.”

TeLisa Daughtry

With over 1.4 million tech-related jobs available and only 3% of these roles filled by women, Fly Technista, a revolutionary mobile app, bridges the access gap for women within the tech industry by providing education, employment and entrepreneurship resources. Fly Technista is committed to creating inclusive work environments where everyone has access to the resources and develops the skills to succeed.

TeLisa Daughtry & Fly Technista

The extensive work that TeLisa Daughtry has accomplished throughout the years within the tech industry is astounding; from advocating for diversity and inclusion in tech and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to founding her own company of Fly Technista, Daughtry has “built several technology solutions and developed initiatives and policies in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and Women’s Empowerment Principles”. The development of the app Fly Technista has helped to connect women from around the world to education on digital skills, career cultivation and provide access to a vast network of local women in tech.

Access to Learning Opportunities

Finding quality education resources can be a difficult task, yet Fly Technista helps to curate specific resources, scholarships and learning opportunities for the user. In alignment with UN SDG 4 (Quality Education), Daughtry’s app enables women from around the world to gain access to free technical and digital education along with career training and mentorship. Without access to modern opportunities, women would not be able to grow within the tech industry which is why access is imperative to the success and development of women and girls. Fly Technista has “successfully helped to equip more than 10,000+ low-income women & girls in underserved communities between the US, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe”.

Bridging the Gap in STEM

With only 3% of women filling roles within the tech industry, the message becomes clear that action must be taken to eliminate this industry divide, creating an inclusive and equitable environment. But the question remains, what causes such a vast underrepresentation within this industry? Two major factors in this are the gender-pay gap and gender-bias, which fuel underfunding for women-led ventures in the STEM industry and directly work against gender equality. In alliance with SDG 5 (Gender Equality), “FlyTechnista has partnered with over 800+ global partners who are committed to engaging, hiring, advancing, retaining, compensating, funding, and empowering women and girls in STEM related fields and entrepreneurship”. Ensuring that women are a vital part in the tech industry growth not only strengthens gender equality but also promotes the economic growth and vitality of women.

Leadership & Entrepreneurial Ventures

While Fly Technista provides women with the opportunity for economic growth, at the same time it is diversifying company workplaces and helping to strengthen and grow the industry. In a world flooded with economic downfalls and difficult working situations, the provision of equitable work, position retention and industry advancement aligns directly with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Daughtry’s app has “assisted and empowered over 1,500+ women entrepreneurs with launching, scaling, and funding their business ventures; through access to business resources, business mentors, accelerators & incubators, and funding opportunities”. This exciting, new opportunity is not simply another app on your phone, but is the platform for developing your skills and launching your tech dreams.

“We believe that by providing access to quality education to help prepare and accelerate women and girls in 21-century STEM related careers and entrepreneurship opportunities; we can successfully empower women to advance economically.”

TeLisa Daughtry

The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is a first of its kind global competition for women entrepreneurs who are pushing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and leading innovation in sustainability and climate change through their businesses. This Contributing Series highlights finalists of the Challenge whose work demonstrates how business models and social entrepreneurship can drive global impact.