The US Embassy in Australia recently hosted a dynamic coding workshop aimed at inspiring and empowering the next generation of female tech talent. Leading the charge were two trailblazing women: Tammy Buckner, founder and CEO of WeCode KC in Kansas City, and Kate Kirwin, founder of She Codes Australia. Both are committed to creating more accessible and inclusive pathways into the tech industry for women and underrepresented communities.
Building Bridges Through Code
This cross-continental partnership brought together She Codes Australia and WeCode KC to share insights, create opportunities, and empower women through coding. For both Tammy and Kate, technology isn’t just about writing code, it’s about rewriting futures.
Kate Kirwin, who hails from regional Western Australia, founded She Codes to empower women with the skills, networks, and confidence to pursue careers in tech. She Codes Australia is dedicated to increasing diversity in the tech industry by providing free workshops, programs, and courses to women across Australia. Their She Codes Plus program, launched in 2019, is a six-month initiative designed to help women enter or advance in the tech industry.
Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. With accolades like WA’s 2024 Young Australian of the Year, the West Australian’s Rising Star Award, and the Women in Digital Champion of Change award, Kate’s journey proves just how powerful grassroots coding initiatives can be when led with purpose and passion.
From Kansas City to the World
On the other side of the globe, Tammy Buckner is changing lives through WeCode KC, a nonprofit that mentors and trains young people in technology, particularly in underserved communities. Founded in 2019, WeCode KC offers free courses and programmes that have helped participants boost their income, gain new roles, and transform their lives.
Tammy recently shared stories of two women whose lives were changed by tech: one, a single mum who pivoted from hairstyling to cybersecurity to gain financial stability; the other, a business systems analyst who earned a 12% raise after completing WeCode’s web development course.
With an upcoming AI Summit on October 16th in Kansas City, WeCode KC continues to lead the way in making complex technologies like AI approachable and inclusive. As Tammy says, “Good developers don’t just understand technical needs, they understand human needs,” a perspective that’s more vital than ever as AI reshapes the workplace.
Is Coding Still Worth It?
Absolutely, says Kate. “75% of the fastest-growing careers require some level of tech skills,” she notes, “and 95% of Australians will need to upskill or reskill in the next five years.” Through coding, she’s seen people double their income, break the cycle of poverty, and live out their dream careers including one graduate who now codes from the beaches of Thailand.
Yet both Kate and Tammy agree: opportunity is key. While more women are entering tech, the percentage still hovers stubbornly around 28–30%. “It’s not a lack of interest,” Kate insists, “it’s a lack of opportunity, support, and clear pathways.”
Creating Spaces to Thrive
The recent workshop hosted by the US Embassy in Australia proves that when organisations across borders come together they can help to tackle tech’s gender gap. Through storytelling, mentorship, and practical skills training, leaders like Tammy and Kate are creating safe spaces where women and girls can fail, learn, and ultimately thrive.
Watch WeCode KC in action: