Discover how Ciena’s support of iSisters Technology Mentoring is advancing digital inclusion and uplifting disadvantaged women by providing the digital skills they need to find meaningful work.
At Ciena, we believe in the power of technology to transform lives. Our ongoing collaboration with iSisters is a testament to this commitment. iSisters is a non-profit organization that provides free computer, technology, and employability skills to disadvantaged women and girls in the Ottawa area, including Indigenous women, women experiencing domestic violence, and refugees in need of support.
Through Ciena’s support, iSisters has been able to expand its impact, launching two groundbreaking programs—iAccess Tech and AI Literacy—that provide career-building opportunities to underserved individuals. Discover how these programs are uplifting women in Ottawa and providing our team members with the opportunity to give back to their communities in a way that resonates with their values.
Expanding access and opportunity for women in need in Ottawa
The iAccess Tech program is designed provide women from marginalized communities with the tools and training needed to thrive in the digital age. By equipping participants with laptops and software, as well as delivering comprehensive technology skills training, iAccess Tech empowers women to pursue new opportunities in education and employment.
iSisters isn’t just about teaching tech — it’s about building connections, confidence, independence, and a sense of possibility. I love that they create real, lasting impact by giving women the tools they need to succeed.
The newest initiative, the AI Literacy program, extends iSisters’ reach by providing AI Literacy training to women facing barriers, even those with little to no technical experience. Through this program, iSisters delivers foundational knowledge about artificial intelligence, ensuring participants gain a strong understanding of AI concepts and their practical applications. The program is interactive and hands-on, with learners gaining understanding of how AI works and its real-world applications, as well as learning to use AI tools effectively for daily tasks and communication.
Together, these programs are about more than just learning—they’re about empowerment. The programs foster digital inclusion and instill confidence and independence in participants as they navigate their professional journeys.
Ciena volunteers support iSisters during Go Do Good Month
Giving back as a woman in STEM
Aarushi Mehra is a solutions engineer at Ciena, based in Ottawa, Canada who works closely with iSisters on executing this collaboration. Enabling our people to give back to their communities in the ways that matter most to them is a key element to our employee experience. For women in STEM like Aarushi, the opportunity to support other women in her community through access to digital skills is incredibly meaningful.
At Ciena, my role as a Solutions Engineer helps build the networks that connect people, and through iSisters, I see how access to technology can unlock new opportunities for individuals.
As an engineer, Aarushi sees technology as “a tool for solving problems and creating opportunities” whether that’s on a global scale or within an individual’s life. With iSisters, she has expanded her perspective on the impact digital access and education can have for a person, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge and uplifting other women, so no one is left unable to access the opportunities presented by today’s technology.
Many of the volunteers from Ciena who support iSisters are members of our Women at Ciena employee resource group. Just as this group aims to support the women working at Ciena, they also work to uplift women in the community. An iSisters team member says that the ERG has “provided key input to our recent program developments, connected us with other employees to lend their expertise and have been effective spokespeople for our cause within Ciena and in our community.”
Ciena employees accept "Supporter of the Year" award from iSisters
The real-world impact of digital inclusion
In 2024, iSisters held a graduation ceremony to celebrate all the women who completed programs with the organization. The graduates shared stories highlighting the broad range of backgrounds represented among the people served by iSisters and shared how the non-profit supported them all in developing their confidence, abilities, and communities.
One of the graduates, named Anne Ruth, came to iSisters as a refugee having recently arrived in Canada. With only 45 days to submit a refugee claim, she needed support to complete the documentation and submit it electronically. iSisters provided her a laptop to work on, a quiet space to work, and accepted her into the free iNSPIRE entrepreneurial program. Not only did this support help Anne Ruth navigate the process and submit her claim on time, it also provided her with new skills she can use for future employment, a sense of achievement from growing her confidence under unfamiliar circumstances, and a group of caring friends in her new home.
Driving meaningful change together
Organizations like iSisters, with the support of companies like Ciena, play a critical role in tackling the challenges faced by underprivileged women and girls in an increasingly digital world. Through initiatives like iAccess Tech and AI Literacy, together we are actively helping to bridge the digital divide and equipping individuals with the skills they need to thrive in a digital-first world. Our collaboration with iSisters is about more than just funding—it’s about creating sustainable pathways to success.
Graduates from iSisters programs celebrate at their graduation ceremony