Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in Midland, TX in 2026

Table of Contents

• Your Map to Tech Support in the Permian Basin
• Time to Lead Midland Women’s Leadership Conference
• WomenTech Network and Texas Innovators Circle
• Powering Progress Luncheon Series on AI
• Flipping the Barrel Community and Podcast
• UTPB Women in STEM Initiatives
• Permian Basin Area Foundation Tech Scholarships
• Girls Who Code Midland Clubs
• WTX Women’s Symposium by Midland Chamber of Commerce
• Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Midland College Pathways
• Company-Specific Returnship and Mentorship Programs
• Building Your Professional Future in the Permian
• Frequently Asked Questions

Time to Lead Midland Women’s Leadership Conference

Serving as the cornerstone of professional women’s networking in the region, the Time to Lead (TTL) Midland Women’s Leadership Conference is specifically engineered to move women from "ambition to action." Scheduled for March 2026 at the Green Tree Country Club, its agenda includes tech-forward sessions on harnessing AI and career advancement within industrial contexts, making it directly relevant for women at Chevron, Pioneer, or local startups.

The conference’s value lies in creating unparalleled face-to-face connections in a market where they are critical. Co-creator Angie Morgan emphasizes it creates a space for women to "build powerful relationships that can last throughout their career," directly addressing the need in Midland’s male-dominated energy and tech sectors. This focus on actionable, local strategy is echoed in attendee feedback, with one noting the energy was "electric" and everything was "relatable and applicable."

For women pursuing tech careers in the Permian, this event offers strategic workshops and high-level networking that translates directly to the region's unique job market. Involvement is straightforward but requires prompt action; as highlighted on the official TTL Midland event page, tickets are limited and early registration is key to securing access to this premier leadership event.

WomenTech Network and Texas Innovators Circle

In the wake of national organizations scaling back physical presence, virtual bridges have become essential. The WomenTech Network provides a dedicated global platform, with a specific Texas Women in Tech Innovators Circle, filling the gap for continuous mentorship and collaboration. This digital community ensures that professional development doesn't halt at the city limits.

The network offers year-round resources including mentorship matching, virtual talks on topics like data science in O&G, and access to a global job board. As Mariah Lichtenstern, Founding Partner at DiverseCity Ventures, advocates: "Join, follow, support, and amplify WomenTech Network if you are a woman in tech or anyone who understands the value of tapping into this talent." For a Midland professional, this means connecting with peers at ExxonMobil or Halliburton worldwide, effectively turning local isolation into a connected node on an international map.

The value is in its permanence and reach. Membership is free and provides immediate access to forums and event calendars, including discounted entry to major gatherings like the Women in Tech Global Conference. This resource ensures your growth isn't limited by geography but powered by a worldwide community.

Powering Progress Luncheon Series on AI

Directly addressing the technological transformation reshaping local industries, the Powering Progress luncheon series provides hyper-contextual intelligence for Midland’s workforce. Hosted in collaboration with the Midland Business Alliance, these events feature panels of women leaders from technology and manufacturing sharing real-world insights on AI's impact.

For women in tech, this series is a pragmatic resource to understand how automation and AI are creating new roles - and transforming others - within companies like Pioneer Natural Resources and Schlumberger. As highlighted in an Instagram preview for a 2026 event, the luncheons are designed to "spark growth and connection" through meaningful networking and fresh ideas grounded in local application.

The value lies in moving beyond theory to practical implementation. Attendees gain insights into AI for petrochemical analysis, autonomous drilling, or logistics optimization specific to the Permian Basin’s operational challenges. These events are typically announced through the Midland Chamber of Commerce and local alliance newsletters, offering both continuing education and direct access to the decision-makers driving tech adoption in the region’s core industries.

Flipping the Barrel Community and Podcast

Born and bred in the Permian, Flipping the Barrel is the definitive homegrown resource for women at the intersection of energy and technology. Co-founded by Midland-based industry professionals Jamie Elrod and Massiel Diez, this community amplifies women's voices through a popular podcast, live events, and a supportive network tackling the specific challenges of building a tech career within oilfield services.

"I want to show women they can achieve great success in the oil field,"

says co-creator Jamie Elrod, who started in the field and now works for Baker Hughes, as highlighted in a Yahoo feature on the platform. The value is in its authenticity and local relevance, offering advice from women who have navigated the exact corporate landscapes and remote sites of the Permian.

The community provides a crucial sense of belonging through active social media engagement and regular local meet-ups in Midland-Odessa. To get involved, subscribe to their podcast, follow their social channels for event announcements, and attend live recordings or networking happy hours to connect directly with the energy-tech ecosystem.

UTPB Women in STEM Initiatives

For women seeking to enter or advance in tech, the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) serves as a critical pipeline and support hub directly integrated with the local economy. The College of Engineering and Computer Science actively promotes women in STEM through dedicated career development programs, student organizations, and most importantly, strategic industry partnerships.

These partnerships with major employers like Chevron, Occidental Petroleum (Oxy), and ConocoPhillips facilitate direct hiring pathways for female graduates in computer science and data analytics. These companies are frequently recognized for their efforts, as seen in AnitaB.org’s Top Companies for Women Technologists report for their representation and support programs. This connection provides a significant advantage in the Permian job market.

The value for a woman in Midland is twofold: a respected, local degree program and immediate access to the region's top tech employers through internships and networking mixers hosted by the university. To engage, current students should connect with the College of Engineering’s dean’s office and career services, while professionals can participate as mentors or recruiters by contacting UTPB’s industry liaison office.

Permian Basin Area Foundation Tech Scholarships

Financial support is one of the most tangible and powerful resources for advancing an education. In 2025, the Permian Basin Area Foundation (PBAF) demonstrated this commitment by awarding over $1.3 million in scholarships, with several focused on technology and innovation fields critical to the local economy, as detailed in their annual awards announcement.

These include targeted awards like the Energy Workforce and Technology Council Scholarship and the Scott Gale Leadership in Innovation Scholarship. For women in Midland pursuing tech degrees or certifications at UTPB, Midland College, or online programs, these funds can be transformative, directly reducing the financial barrier to entry.

The value extends beyond tuition. These scholarships often come with networking opportunities within the sponsoring organizations, which are frequently key players in the energy-tech sector. This represents a direct investment in your future with a local stamp of approval, linking your ambitions directly to careers within the Permian Basin’s innovation ecosystem. To get involved, monitor the PBAF website in early 2026 for application openings and prepare essays that clearly articulate this connection.

Girls Who Code Midland Clubs

Building the future tech talent pool in the Permian starts with inspiring the next generation. Girls Who Code remains a vital, active force in Midland, offering free clubs for 3rd-12th graders at local schools and community centers. Critically, the organization's curriculum expanded in 2025 to include AI and cybersecurity lessons, making it directly relevant to the future needs of the region's energy-tech workforce.

The value of this resource is dual. For young women, it provides early, hands-on exposure to coding and emerging technologies, fundamental to "closing the gender gap" as explained in their Clubs program video. For professional women already in the field, it offers a powerful avenue to give back by shaping the local talent pipeline you will one day hire from.

You can engage as a club facilitator, a guest speaker sharing your career journey at a company like Halliburton, or a volunteer for one-day events. This involvement strengthens the community's foundation while providing mentorship opportunities. To connect, reach out to the national Girls Who Code programs team to find local club sponsors and opportunities in the Midland area.

WTX Women’s Symposium by Midland Chamber of Commerce

While not exclusively focused on technology, the WTX Women's Symposium hosted by the Midland Chamber of Commerce serves as a major nexus for professional development across all Permian Basin industries. This annual event gathers hundreds of local professionals for sessions on leadership, business strategy, and innovation, providing significant value for women in technical and leadership roles.

For women building tech careers at companies like Schlumberger or Chevron, the symposium’s power lies in facilitating cross-industry alliances. It’s an opportunity to connect with women in finance, operations, and executive leadership - the very end-users and sponsors of major technology projects within the energy sector. This broader understanding of the local business landscape can unlock opportunities in project management, tech implementation, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Networking at this scale, as evidenced by the history of attendance shown on the Chamber's event page, can directly expand your influence beyond the IT department. Involvement is straightforward: purchase a ticket through the Chamber’s website when the 2026 event is announced, typically in the fall, to secure access to this key gathering of Permian business leaders.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Midland College Pathways

Structured Pathways for Young Women

For young women and career changers, the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) and Midland College provide structured, supportive on-ramps into tech. YWLA, a Midland ISD school, is exclusively focused on preparing young women for college and STEM careers, serving as a critical feeder program. You can learn more about its mission and structure on the official YWLA homepage.

Accessible College and Career Training

Meanwhile, Midland College offers accessible technical certifications and associate degrees in information technology, cybersecurity, and related fields, acting as a direct pipeline into tech roles at local companies. The college fosters a supportive environment, consistently noted for its accessibility and safety, even being ranked among the top 10 safest campuses in Texas. This supportive climate is echoed in student experiences, with one reviewer on Niche stating, "Midland College staff have been phenomenal... I am always able to get in touch with someone."

The combined value is a local, affordable, and tailored educational foundation designed for the region's job market. To engage, prospective students should contact the respective admissions offices. Professionals can volunteer as mentors for YWLA students or serve on advisory boards for Midland College’s IT programs to help shape curricula that meet urgent employer needs in the Permian.

Company-Specific Returnship and Mentorship Programs

Your employer can be your most direct and impactful resource. Major Permian operators and service companies have developed robust, formal programs specifically for women in technology. Firms like ConocoPhillips and Halliburton offer structured mentorship and "Returnship" initiatives, modeled after successful programs like IBM's Tech Re-Entry, designed to help professionals re-enter the technical workforce after a career break.

Companies such as Chevron and Occidental Petroleum are consistently highlighted for their strong representation of women in technical roles, appearing in the AnitaB.org Top Companies for Tech Workers report. These internal programs provide tailored mentorship, visibility to leadership, and clear pathways for advancement within the unique culture of your organization.

The value is intimate, job-specific support. To get involved, first explore your company’s internal HR or diversity and inclusion portals. If no formal program exists, advocate for one by presenting models from these industry leaders. For job-seekers, targeting these recognized companies from the outset can lead to a more supportive career environment from day one.

Building Your Professional Future in the Permian

The landscape of rigs, pipelines, and data centers hasn't changed, but your map to navigate it has. From the high-impact connections at Time to Lead to the global reach of the WomenTech Network and the homegrown wisdom of Flipping the Barrel, these resources form the gathering lines that transform individual effort into collective growth. In Midland, where tech is inextricably linked to energy, this network is reservoir engineering for your career.

Building on this foundation of support requires building your technical skills. Accessible education is key, and local options like affordable AI bootcamps provide critical, flexible pathways. With programs focusing on AI integration and development starting under $4,000, they offer a practical on-ramp for mastering the tools driving innovation at companies across the Permian Basin.

Your professional future here is no longer a solitary endeavor. By tapping into this interconnected system of community, education, and employer support, you channel the steady, determined motion of the field itself - powering not just personal advancement, but the very innovation that sustains the region.

Frequently Asked Questions