Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science—a day to celebrate the incredible women and girls who are shaping the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). While we’ve made great strides, there’s still work to be done to close the gap in these fields and today serves as a reminder that every step forward counts.
CIRA is excited to shine the spotlight on leader Lucy Ho, Founder & Executive Director of Hackergal, who is driving meaningful change in STEM education. With the support of a CIRA Net Good Grant, Hackergal has been making waves by creating opportunities for girls to explore technology in an inclusive and fun way. When speaking to Lucy, she opened up about the journey behind Hackergal, the power of representation in STEM and the ways we can all support girls in exploring and excelling in technology.
Read on to learn more from Lucy about her journey and Hackergal’s impact:
Tell us more about your background working in tech and what inspired you to start Hackergal.
My journey in tech wasn’t traditional—I didn’t start out as an engineer or a coder, but I’ve always been passionate about innovation and creating opportunities for my teams and folks that I work with. My background is in operations and tech and, throughout my career, I noticed the gender gap: there weren’t enough women and diverse voices in the sector. The more that I worked, the more I saw the importance of representation and access.
Hackergal was born out of this realization. I wanted to create a space where girls, especially those who may not see themselves in STEM, could explore technology in a fun, inclusive and empowering way. Since then, Hackergal has been reaching thousands of girls across Canada, showing them that tech is a space where they can belong, lead and innovate. It’s more than just coding—it’s about changing the face of technology and making sure that every girl and gender-diverse learner knows that they have a place in STEM.
Representation matters—how important is it for young girls to see women leading in STEM and how does that influence their future aspirations?
Representation is everything. When young girls see women leading in STEM, it sends a very powerful message: if she can do it, so can I! We always say, without role models, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong. But when girls see women in tech, engineering and science, they start to envision themselves in those roles—which is a game changer in their confidence and career aspirations. At Hackergal, we’ve seen firsthand how mentorship and representation inspire the next generation of girls. When girls hear from women who have navigated these fields, they don’t just learn about career paths—they see proof that their dreams are possible. That’s why we need more visibility, more storytelling and more support from women in STEM leadership roles.
What are some of the biggest challenges you believe women and girls face when entering STEM fields and how can we better support them?
One of the biggest challenges is the gender gap, of course. Not just in numbers but in culture, I believe. Many girls grow up without enough exposure to STEM opportunities, and when they do step into these spaces, they often face biases or already feel like they don’t belong. Imposter syndrome is real—that’s how I started my career. We need to counteract it by fostering inclusive communities where girls are encouraged to take risks and embrace failure as part of learning. And we can better support them by starting early—providing coding and STEM experiences in our schools and our communities, offering mentorship programs and creating safe spaces for them to explore and experiment with what STEM can offer. That’s what Hackergal is doing. Hackergal is working to bridge this gap by giving girls access to skills, networks and role models that will help them feel empowered in STEM. But I always say: it’s a collective effort. Educators, parents, companies and policymakers have a huge role to play in breaking down those barriers and making STEM truly inclusive for everyone.
What have you heard from girls that have participated in Hackergal’s programs?
One of the most inspiring aspects of Hackergal is hearing directly from past program participants. Many of them come in thinking coding is intimidating or it’s not for them, but by the end of it they leave with a sense of confidence and excitement about what technology has to offer, and that’s our goal. We’ve heard stories from girls who’ve never imagined themselves in STEM, but after participating in the hackathon program, they’re now joining coding clubs, applying for tech internships and pursuing computer science degrees across Canada. One student told us Hackergal showed her that “coding isn’t just for boys—it’s for anyone who wants to solve problems and be creative.” That really resonated with me because it’s so true. Another shared that the experience helped her “feel smart and capable in a way she’d never imagined before.” To me, this just shows that it’s beyond technical skills. The biggest impact is seeing these girls realize that they belong in tech. By providing a supportive and inclusive environment, we’re not just teaching them how to code—we’re helping them see themselves as the future of STEM. That’s what drives us to keep growing and expanding our reach across Canada.
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, what message or piece of advice do you want to share with young girls who are thinking about entering the STEM world?
I want young girls to know that the STEM world needs their voices, ideas and perspectives. Science and technology are what’s shaping our future, and when girls enter these fields, we create solutions that are more inclusive and impactful for everyone involved. My advice is:
Hackergal recently received support from CIRA’s Net Good Grants to help further their mission—see how we’re working together to support digital education. To learn more about Hackergal’s inspiring work and how you can get involved, visit their website.
Together, we can help create a brighter, more inclusive future for girls in STEM.
