Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in New Orleans, LA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Women+ in Technology of Southeast Louisiana
• Society of Women Engineers
• WITI New Orleans Network
• NOLA Tech Connect
• Tulane SoPA Women in Technology Mentorship Program
• Tech Talent & Strategy NOLA Meetups
• Code for NOLA
• Tuesday Hack Night Social Legacy
• Corporate Affinity Groups
• Specialized Conferences and Tracks
• Frequently Asked Questions

Women+ in Technology of Southeast Louisiana

When the national parade passed, the local community began its own second line. Launched in January 2025 as a direct response to the void left by national closures, Women+ in Technology of Southeast Louisiana (WIT+ SELA) quickly became the cornerstone community for women at all tech career stages. It focuses on innovation, mentorship, and professional development with a distinctly New Orleans flavor.

"A community for women with careers in technology to grow together through collaboration and connection." - Women+ in Technology of Southeast Louisiana, Facebook

The value is in its intentionality - creating an ecosystem where members gain access to workshops, networking mixers, and a formal mentorship program that pairs emerging talent with leaders from major regional employers like Ochsner Health and Entergy. This local focus ensures the support is tailored to the opportunities and challenges within the Silicon Bayou.

Annual membership is typically under $50, granting access to premium workshops and the mentorship portal. For AI and machine learning professionals, this direct line to established companies and a collaborative peer network is an invaluable resource for career growth in our affordable, high-potential market.

Society of Women Engineers

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) provides a powerful, year-round rhythm of support with a profound local impact. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the New Orleans professional section offers networking, leadership training, and advocacy for engineering professionals, creating a sustained pipeline from student chapters at institutions like Tulane University to the region's top employers.

"Where every story finds its rhythm… stories drive innovation, inclusion, and change." - Society of Women Engineers, Facebook

The city's global standing was elevated by hosting WE25, the world's largest conference for women in engineering and technology, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This event, themed "Embrace Your Story," created lasting momentum, demonstrating that New Orleans is a premier stage for technical talent and thought leadership.

For women in AI and machine learning, this legacy means greater visibility and access. Major employers are now more actively sponsoring local professionals to attend national conferences, and the strengthened local network provides crucial connections in sectors like Ochsner's digital health initiatives or the Port of New Orleans's logistics innovation projects.

WITI New Orleans Network

For women orchestrating their rise to the C-suite or deepening expertise in cutting-edge fields, the WITI New Orleans network provides a high-caliber forum. This local chapter of the global Women in Technology International organization offers a digital growth lab, advanced tech talks on AI and cybersecurity, and connections to an elite professional network.

Its initiatives are sharply relevant for the New Orleans market. Programs like the "HAL 9000 AI Think Tank" offer professionals from Ochsner's digital medicine team or the port's logistics innovation sector a dedicated space to explore real-world AI applications. It’s a hub for future-proofing skills, where the discussion moves beyond general networking to specialized knowledge exchange.

Membership provides access to the New Orleans network events, a targeted job board, and an online resource library. Local lunch-and-learns are frequently hosted at downtown innovation hubs, making it a practical resource for women in machine learning and AI who are building strategic careers within the region's unique economic landscape.

NOLA Tech Connect

If the official parade represents structured conferences, then NOLA Tech Connect is the spontaneous second line that forms in the street. This grassroots meetup group embodies the New Orleans ethos of connection over formality, hosting energetic monthly gatherings at local venues like Miel Brewery.

"Grateful for the energy and connection we share... New Orleans WomXn in Tech keeps growing, both in size and strength." - NOLA Tech Connect, Instagram

The group, which grew its LinkedIn community to over 280 members, provides a welcoming space for career-switchers, freelancers, and seasoned developers alike. The value is in pure, unscripted community - a place to share job leads, collaborate on side projects, and find your tribe without the pressure of formal networking.

Events are typically free with a cash bar, emphasizing accessible, low-barrier entry. For AI professionals new to the city or those transitioning into tech, this organic environment is perfect for building the foundational relationships that define New Orleans' collaborative "Silicon Bayou" spirit and often lead to concrete opportunities.

Tulane SoPA Women in Technology Mentorship Program

Bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice is a critical step, and the Women in Technology Mentorship Program at Tulane's School of Professional Advancement provides a structured pathway. This initiative formally connects Tulane SoPA students with seasoned professionals from across the New Orleans tech landscape.

Mentors offer direct guidance on career paths, resume reviews, interview practice, and insights into local company cultures. For a city whose strength lies in its tight-knit community, this program codifies that advantage, giving students direct access to leaders at companies like GE Digital and the innovative startups emerging from hubs like The Tidewater Building.

For professionals, volunteering as a mentor is a powerful way to scout emerging talent and contribute to the pipeline of local AI and machine learning expertise. The program underscores a key advantage of building a tech career in New Orleans: the accessible network and the willingness of established leaders to invest in the next generation.

Tech Talent & Strategy NOLA Meetups

While some groups provide the rhythm, others help you tune your instrument. Founded by a woman-owned recruitment and training firm, Tech Talent & Strategy NOLA meetups uniquely blend authentic community building with practical career strategy. These quarterly events create a curated, professional environment for meaningful networking that often translates directly into job interviews and referrals.

Designed to be inclusive for both beginners and veterans, sessions often feature themed discussions on negotiation, personal branding, or navigating tech specialties in high demand locally. This includes fields like health informatics with Ochsner or renewable energy tech with Entergy, providing relevant, actionable insights for the regional market.

Attendance is typically free or requires only a nominal fee for refreshments, with events often held in the central Warehouse District. For women in AI looking to strategically advance their careers within the New Orleans ecosystem, TTS offers a focused venue to build relationships that directly support professional growth and opportunity.

Code for NOLA

For women who want their code to resonate through the community, Code for NOLA is the premier destination. As New Orleans' local brigade of the national Code for America network, this volunteer-driven group brings together developers, designers, and data scientists to work on open-source projects that solve public, civic problems.

While not gender-exclusive, it has become a primary hub for women technologists passionate about social good. Projects often involve partnering with city agencies or local non-profits, offering unparalleled hands-on experience. This allows participants to build a portfolio with tangible local outcomes, such as data tools for community resources or applications to improve public services.

Involvement is straightforward: attend their weekly hack nights, which are often virtual or hybrid. There's no formal sign-up - just a willingness to contribute. It’s a powerful way to apply AI and data science skills for direct impact while expanding your professional network into the civic tech space, connecting with mission-driven professionals across the Silicon Bayou.

Tuesday Hack Night Social Legacy

The most vital connections in New Orleans are often forged off the official schedule. The legendary Tuesday Hack Night tradition represents this foundational piece of the city's collaborative tech culture. Founded by Sia Karamelegos and often hosted at casual spots like the Ace Hotel, this weekly social gathering is where industry friendships are built, side projects are brainstormed, and organic support systems emerge.

While not a formal "women's group," it's a critical institution for becoming part of the community's fabric. For women new to the Silicon Bayou scene, finding a companion to attend with can unlock this inner circle. The challenge - and unique opportunity - in New Orleans is that much of the networking and collaboration happens within these persistent, casual social rhythms, mirroring the city's own spirit of improvisation.

Getting involved relies on the local word-of-mouth network. The best approach is to ask about it within other groups like NOLA Tech Connect. The barrier to entry is low: show up, buy a coffee, and join a conversation. It’s in these unscripted spaces that the true, resilient "second line" of the tech community finds its rhythm and builds lasting strength.

Corporate Affinity Groups

A major strength of New Orleans' tech ecosystem is the robust internal support growing within its homegrown companies and established institutions. Many organizations, like the construction software firm Levelset, have pioneered internal affinity groups that provide education, open forums on workplace challenges, and structured peer support.

"This group provides education, open conversation about struggles women have in workplace, and how we can support one another." - Jami Smith, Director of People Operations at Levelset

This model is actively replicating across the market at major regional employers like Ochsner Health and Entergy, which maintain focused diversity and inclusion programs. These corporate Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) often receive dedicated funding for events, executive speaking series, and professional development programming, creating built-in advocacy and community.

For women in AI and machine learning roles within these corporations, these groups offer a direct channel for mentorship, visibility, and navigating career advancement. If your company lacks such a group, proposing an ERG is a powerful way to cultivate community and leverage corporate resources to support women in tech, further strengthening the collaborative fabric of the Silicon Bayou.

Specialized Conferences and Tracks

For concentrated leadership acceleration and targeted networking, specialized conferences create powerful crescendos in the yearly rhythm. WomenRising 2026, a dynamic half-day leadership conference, brings powerhouse speakers from companies like Amazon and Microsoft to New Orleans, focusing on "actionable acceleration" and authentic leadership development.

Alongside these major events, consistent, focused networking opportunities provide regular touchpoints. The quarterly "Work in Tech" events by Startup Nola attract a mix where approximately 75% of attendees are established professionals in roles from Customer Success to Data Engineering. This creates a more targeted business-relationship building environment than a general social mixer.

To get involved, purchase tickets for WomenRising well in advance as they frequently sell out, and proactively RSVP for Startup Nola's events, which often feature insightful panel discussions followed by dedicated networking time. These specialized tracks offer women in AI and tech a strategic platform to amplify their influence and connect with decision-makers within the growing Silicon Bayou ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions