About us
Empowering LGBTQ2S+ peoples in Tech to increase access and representation by fostering learning, mentorship, and growth.
Upcoming events
4
- Network event
How to Master Your Elevator Pitch with OTPP
·OnlineOnline2 attendees from 6 groupsIn this interactive session, you’ll learn how to confidently and effectively answer one of the most common and important interview questions: “Tell me about yourself.” Representatives from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan will walk you through two proven introduction styles: the functional introduction and the inspirational introduction.
The session includes guided examples, hands-on practice, and group discussion to help you refine your personal pitch and communicate your experiences with clarity and impact. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and our recruitment processes.
Whether you’re preparing for interviews, networking events, or career conversations, this workshop will help you make a memorable first impression.### Facilitators:
Name: Zara Jiwa, Pira Arullsothy and Alfredo Padrón
Bios are included at the end.
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 12:00-13:00 PM ET
Location: Virtual- Zoom
Language: English
Tickets: $10 general
Free for QT Members.(To join as a member, simply login and fill in a profile. It helps you access our events, apply to jobs and connect with peers around the country).
About QT Access
QT Access is QueerTech’s learning and career development program, designed to support 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals in building skills, connecting with the community, and advancing in their career journey.
✨ QT Access Additional Resources:- Unlimited access to over 300 Google Coursera certifications. Sign up today to access
- Community events to learn, network, and apply your skills.
- Mentorship opportunities as capacity allows for.
With flexible pathways and plenty of options, you can shape the program to meet your unique goals.
If you have any questions, reach out to us at [access@queertech.org].Bios
Zara Jiwa (She/Her) is currently the Manager, Campus Talent Acquisition at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. In her current role, she oversees intern and early career hiring across multiple business areas, strengthens partnerships with post secondary institutions, and drives initiatives that elevate her organization’s presence and impact within the student community.
With over five years of talent acquisition experience across financial and real estate organizations, Zara brings deep expertise in full cycle recruitment, employer branding, event strategy, and relationship management. Before transitioning into HR, she built a strong foundation in social services, working closely with diverse client groups and developing the empathy, communication skills, and people focused approach that continue to shape her work today.
Pira Arullsothy (He/Him) is a seasoned Talent Acquisition professional with over a decade of experience connecting top talent with leading organizations across the financial services industry, including banking, fintech, and pension sectors. Throughout his career, he has specialized in sourcing and hiring for Technology, Capital Markets, Commercial Banking, and Wealth Management teams—areas where securing the right talent is both critical and highly competitive.
Alfredo Padrón (He/Him) is a senior talent acquisition professional with over 12 years of experience driving transformational change across organizational structures, talent acquisition, and human resources strategies. He is passionate about identifying and engaging top talent within the Information Technology, Oil & Gas, and mining sectors. Alfredo holds a postgraduate degree in International Business Management, along with a postgraduate certificate in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, enabling him to communicate effectively and strategically with diverse stakeholders across the globe. He currently works as a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), one of the largest pension plans in the world, where he aligns his values of excellence, innovation, and impact with the organization’s mission and culture. - Network event
QT Leaders Nonprofit: Assessing Digital & AI Readiness
·OnlineOnline1 attendee from 6 groupsFollowing the initial ecosystem discovery session, this roundtable focuses on understanding and assessing organizational readiness for digital transformation and AI adoption.
This session invites participants to step back and assess where their organizations currently stand. Through structured peer dialogue and guided reflection, leaders will determine how digital tools are already shaping their work, what internal capacities exist to support responsible adoption or non-adaption, and where further clarity or safeguards may better support.
The goal of this session is organizational insight, identification and level setting. By identifying current practices, governance structures, and potential risks, participants will continue developing a clearer picture of what responsible digital and AI readiness looks like currently within their organization, and where they want to go.
Roundtables prioritize peer learning and contextual dialogue. Leaders are invited to bring real organizational scenarios. Insights from these conversations help inform shared resources, frameworks, and case studies for the sector.
Note: While this session is designed as a structured readiness assessment conversation, event description may evolve based on insights surfaced during the first roundtable.
A confirmed agenda will be updated April 29, 2026.
In this session, participants will explore:
✨ Where AI and digital tools are already appearing in operations and decision making
✨ Organization digital maturity and readiness
✨ Governance and decision making structures
✨ Risks, responsibilities and safeguards for community-focused organizations
✨ Immediate takeaways to bring back to their organization and teamSession Details
📅 Date: May 27
🕓 Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
💻 Location: Virtual, Zoom
🗣 Language: EnglishWho Should Attend
Nonprofit leaders, directors, and decision-makers navigating digital transformation, data governance, or emerging AI tools within their organizations.About QT Leaders: Nonprofit Digital Futures
QT Leaders: Nonprofit Digital Futures is a national program bringing 2SLGBTQIA+ nonprofit leaders together through virtual roundtables and regional gatherings from April-November 2026. This program is supported by RBC, who recognizes the critical role that inclusion plays in helping to strengthen the capacity and future of Canada's nonprofit sector. Resources developed from the conversations and regional gatherings will be made available to those registered after each event, and post program.
Read more about the program’s information here.
To read more about RBC's approach to helping strengthen the capacity of Canada's nonprofit sector, click here.“® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license.
If you have any questions about the program, reach out to amos@queertech.org.Sign up today!
- Network event
QT Leaders Nonprofit: Evaluating Risk, Opportunity & Capacity
·OnlineOnline1 attendee from 6 groupsNonprofit leaders are often navigating digital transformation with limited time, capacity and budget. Determining whether a technology should be explored, implemented, or avoided requires careful consideration of governance, risk exposure, mission alignment, and the realities of their organization.
Building on the previous session’s exploration of organizational digital maturity and readiness, this conversation moves from assessment to evaluation strategies. After identifying where digital tools and AI are already appearing within their organizations and what the current and future landscapes may look like, participants will now examine what responsible adoption policies would look like for them.
Roundtables prioritize peer learning and contextual dialogue. Leaders are invited to bring real organizational scenarios. Insights from these conversations help inform shared resources, frameworks, and case studies for the sector.
Note: While this session is designed as a peer-informed evaluation conversation, the exact discussion focus may evolve based on insights surfaced during the first two roundtables. A confirmed description will be updated by May 27, 2026.In this session, participants will explore:
✨ Current use and non-use cases
✨ Evaluation frameworks with: mission alignment, community trust, and organizational values, in mind
✨ Risk considerations including governance gaps, data responsibility, and vendor reliance
✨ Organizational capacity requirements
✨ Immediate takeaways to bring back to their organization and teamSession Details
📅 Date: July 15
🕓 Time: 1:00-2:30 PM ET
💻 Location: Virtual, Zoom
🗣 Language: EnglishWho Should Attend
Nonprofit leaders, directors, and decision-makers navigating digital transformation, data governance, or emerging AI tools within their organizations.About QT Leaders: Nonprofit Digital Futures
QT Leaders: Nonprofit Digital Futures is a national program bringing 2SLGBTQIA+ nonprofit leaders together through virtual roundtables and regional gatherings from April-November 2026. This program is supported by RBC, who recognizes the critical role that inclusion plays in helping to strengthen the capacity and future of Canada's nonprofit sector. Resources developed from the conversations and regional gatherings will be made available to those registered after each event, and post program.
Read more about the program’s information here.
To read more about RBC's approach to helping strengthen the capacity of Canada's nonprofit sector, click here.
“® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license.
If you have any questions about the program, reach out to amos@queertech.org.Sign up today!
- Network event
QT Leaders Nonprofit: Implementing Responsible Digital Change
·OnlineOnline1 attendee from 6 groupsWe have previously explored where digital tools and AI are already appearing with their associated opportunities and risks, and examined how to evaluate new technologies responsibly. This session moves from evaluation toward implementation.
This applied session focuses on the practical leadership and organizational strategies required for responsible implementation with all associated internal and external interest-holder groups. Participants will explore how to introduce new technologies in ways that align with their organization’s values, protect their communities, and ensure accountability across teams.
Roundtables prioritize peer learning and contextual dialogue. Leaders are invited to bring real organizational scenarios. Insights from these conversations help inform shared resources, frameworks, and case studies for the sector.)
Note: While this session is designed as an implementation strategy conversation, event description may evolve based on insights surfaced during the third roundtable. A confirmed agenda will be updated June 23, 2026.
In this session, participants will explore:
✨ Strategies that support responsible digital and AI implementation
✨ Organizational change management for introducing new technologies
✨ Governance structures and accountability for digital decision-making
✨Aligning technology adoption with mission, community impact, and organizational capacity
✨ Practical implementation considerations and leadership takeaways for their teamsSession Details
📅 Date: August 18
🕓 Time: 1:00-2:30 PM ET
💻 Location: Virtual – Zoom
🗣 Language: EnglishWho Should Attend
Nonprofit leaders, directors, and decision-makers navigating digital transformation, data governance, or emerging AI tools within their organizations.About QT Leaders: Nonprofit Digital Futures
QT Leaders: Nonprofit Digital Futures is a national program bringing 2SLGBTQIA+ nonprofit leaders together through virtual roundtables and regional gatherings from April-November 2026. This program is supported by RBC, who recognizes the critical role that inclusion plays in helping to strengthen the capacity and future of Canada's nonprofit sector. Resources developed from the conversations and regional gatherings will be made available to those registered after each event, and post program.
Read more about the program’s information here.
To read more about RBC's approach to helping strengthen the capacity of Canada's nonprofit sector, click here.
“® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license.
If you have any questions about the program, reach out to amos@queertech.org.Sign up today!
Past events
49
