Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in Spokane, WA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Discover Spokane's Tech Ecosystem for Women
• Girls Who Code Spokane
• WomenTech Network Spokane Chapter
• Gonzaga University Women Lead and IT Workshop
• AnitaB.org Virtual Resources and Local Cohorts
• TechConnect and Camp Code for Girls
• Employer-Led Initiatives at Itron, Avista, Providence
• University Scholarships at Gonzaga and WSU Spokane
• YWCA Spokane Women of Achievement
• Vested Networking Group
• Inclusive Tech WA
• Charting Your Career Path in Spokane
• Frequently Asked Questions

Girls Who Code Spokane

Building the foundational pipeline for Spokane's future tech talent, Girls Who Code operates as the most critical long-term resource in the region. Its free, ubiquitous clubs for grades 3-12 are just the beginning, with its 2025 expansion into the Pathways program marking a significant evolution for high school students.

This intensive program offers 6-week tracks in high-demand fields like AI, Cybersecurity, and Web Development, directly aligning curriculum with the growing needs of local employers. For a student at Lewis & Clark High School, participation is a direct conduit to potential internships at companies like Itron or a head start in a data science program at Washington State University Spokane.

Getting involved is streamlined for parents, educators, and volunteers. All partnership and registration details, including specifics on the transformative Pathways tracks, are available on the official Girls Who Code programs page. This program doesn't just teach code; it maps a clear route from the classroom to the heart of Spokane's tech economy.

WomenTech Network Spokane Chapter

Following the permanent closure of the national Women Who Code organization, the WomenTech Network has emerged as the premier professional hub for women in tech across the Inland Northwest. It provides the essential local forum that software engineers at Avista or UX designers at Providence need to combat professional isolation and discuss regional opportunities.

The network's value lies in its hyper-localized connections paired with global resources. It facilitates local peer mentorship "Circles" and is scheduled to host a major Spokane Women in Tech Network event on March 28, 2026. This fills a critical void, creating a dedicated space for building strategic relationships that fuel career advancement within Spokane's unique market.

This focus on community directly addresses a fundamental need. As Sherri Lynch, co-founder of Gonzaga's Women Lead program notes, women "crave that connection" and perform better when supported by peers. Professionals can find local event listings and join this vital community through the dedicated Spokane section of the WomenTech Network.

In a landscape where national chapters have dissolved, this network represents a resilient, locally-adapted trail marker for professional growth and solidarity.

Gonzaga University Women Lead and IT Workshop

Gonzaga University serves as a crucial anchor institution for professional development in Spokane's tech community, extending far beyond traditional academics. Its Women Lead program is specifically designed to build strategic connections and executive leadership skills for women at all career stages, creating a powerful local network.

Furthermore, Gonzaga hosts the annual Advancing Women in IT Regional Workshop each spring, a cornerstone event for the Northwest Academic Computing Consortium that draws regional talent. This workshop focuses on solving practical, ground-level challenges like fostering inclusive workplaces and orchestrating strategic career growth within the Inland Northwest's unique ecosystem.

The value of these concentrated, local forums is profound. As Sherri Lynch, co-founder of Women Lead at Gonzaga, observes, women "crave that connection" and consistently perform better when supported by a dedicated community of peers. Attending these events provides tech professionals with actionable insights while facilitating networking with academic and industry leaders from across the region.

Information on these essential workshops and programs is typically centralized through the NorthWest Academic Computing Consortium (NWACC) event page, serving as the primary trailhead for accessing these high-impact development opportunities.

AnitaB.org Virtual Resources and Local Cohorts

For Spokane professionals balancing demanding tech roles at employers like Itron or Fairchild Air Force Base with family commitments, AnitaB.org delivers indispensable value through flexibility. While lacking a physical Spokane office, the organization provides a powerhouse suite of virtual resources and structured cohorts that transcend geography.

Their model is perfectly tailored to the Inland Northwest's needs, offering depth without demanding a commute. Key offerings include their Community Connect initiatives, which focus on planning local impactful projects, and dedicated 1:1 mentorship cohorts. A data scientist in Spokane can participate in a virtual "Post-GHC 24 Virtual Attendee Mixer" or enroll in a mentorship program, gaining access to a global community while directly applying those insights to the local job market at Riverpoint or with major health systems.

"An inclusion-first mindset drives better products because it brings more diverse voices to the table." - Laurie Hahn, SVP of HR, Itron

This philosophy is central to the support AnitaB.org provides. Engagement begins at their comprehensive membership portal for events, with additional context on their mission found through their resources and support hub. For the Spokane tech professional, it's a virtual basecamp that empowers local trailblazing.

TechConnect and Camp Code for Girls

As the region's chamber of commerce and economic development council, Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) provides direct bridges between education and industry. Its two flagship offerings, TechConnect and Camp Code for Girls, create tangible pathways for women and girls at different stages of the tech journey.

TechConnect 2025 was held on May 14, 2025, at Spokane's historic Steam Plant, bringing together regional IT experts and business leaders to discuss AI, leadership culture, and innovation. This conference, supported by employers like Fisher’s Technology, is a key forum for shaping the inclusive tech culture that defines the Inland Northwest. Details on this and future leadership events are available on the Greater Spokane Inc. events page.

For younger students, Camp Code for Girls is a transformative, free one-week summer immersion for those entering 8th-10th grade, most recently held June 24-28, 2024. Led by experienced female software developers, the camp builds both technical skill and the confidence to pursue tech careers, directly feeding Spokane's talent pipeline. Information on this critical program is found through its dedicated Camp Code for Girls event page.

Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated, community-wide effort to ensure women are not just participants but leaders in Spokane's growing tech landscape.

Employer-Led Initiatives at Itron, Avista, Providence

Some of the most impactful support systems for women in tech are embedded within Spokane's top employers themselves. Companies like Itron, Avista Utilities, and Providence Health & Services are recognized for their active internal diversity programs and dedicated tracks for hiring and advancing women in technical roles.

At Liberty Lake-based Itron, promoting women in engineering is a global and local priority. As Laurie Hahn, SVP of HR at Itron, emphasizes, an "inclusion-first mindset" drives better products by bringing more diverse perspectives to the table. Similarly, Avista supports women in software engineering and grid-modernization roles, while Providence stands as a major tech employer focusing on digital equity and hiring for Health Tech positions.

For women seeking jobs in Spokane, targeting these companies means applying to organizations with a demonstrated, structural investment in their growth. Resources about these supportive company cultures are highlighted by organizations like Simply Talented. As noted in local analysis, Inland Northwest tech companies are actively working to buck broader DEI trends and foster inclusive workplaces.

This employer-led commitment turns a job search into a strategic choice to join a community, not just a company, providing a built-in network for career navigation.

University Scholarships at Gonzaga and WSU Spokane

Tangible financial support is a critical resource that opens doors, and Spokane's universities provide targeted pathways. Both Gonzaga University and Washington State University Spokane offer specialized scholarships for women pursuing STEM and tech-adjacent fields like Health Informatics and Data Science.

These funds do more than reduce tuition burden; they signal institutional commitment and often include networking opportunities within the university's tech community. At WSU Spokane alone, databases list 768 scholarship opportunities for students, many tailored to support diverse talent in high-demand fields. A student can leverage these funds alongside programs like the Girls Who Code College & Career track to seamlessly transition from academia to an internship at a Riverpoint startup or a major local employer.

Prospective students should actively consult university financial aid offices and utilize dedicated scholarship search tools. A comprehensive starting point for WSU Spokane opportunities is the WeMakeScholars database. This strategic approach to funding is a vital step in mapping a sustainable and debt-conscious career path in the Inland Northwest.

YWCA Spokane Women of Achievement

The YWCA Spokane Women of Achievement awards stand as a cornerstone for recognition and empowerment, creating a powerful, cross-sector network that critically includes technology. Honoring local leaders in categories including Science, Technology & Environment, this program validates the work of women in tech and connects them to influential peers across Spokane's civic and business landscape.

For example, the 2026 honoree for the Science, Technology & Environment category was Shadan Kapri, providing a visible and celebrated role model within the community. Attending the awards or being nominated offers women in tech invaluable validation and introduces relationships that extend far beyond the confines of the tech sector alone.

This network reinforces that a tech career in Spokane is integrated into the broader fabric of community leadership and achievement. Current information on nominees, honorees, and event details is centralized on the YWCA Spokane website.

Participation in this sphere provides a unique compass point, orienting a tech professional's career within the wider context of Spokane's growth and the influential women driving it forward.

Vested Networking Group

In a tech scene with growing startup activity, the Vested networking group addresses the specific niche of the female entrepreneur. Founded by Anna Abel, it provides essential networking and educational workshops designed to combat the isolation that can accompany self-employment or running a small tech firm.

For a woman launching an AI consultancy or a mobile app startup in Spokane, Vested offers a peer community that understands the unique challenges of building a business in the Inland Northwest. While access to venture capital may differ from Seattle's ecosystem, Spokane's lower cost of living and high quality of life present a significant strategic advantage for sustainable business growth.

This group helps entrepreneurs chart their own course, moving beyond generic business advice to navigate the specific terrain of Spokane's market. The launch and ongoing mission of Vested were covered in detail by the Spokane Journal of Business, highlighting its role in fostering a supportive local network for innovation.

Inclusive Tech WA

Filling a vital gap in hands-on technical skill-building, Inclusive Tech WA offers workshops and training that receive high praise for building practical confidence. This local organization provides concrete value for career-changers or those looking to solidify specific technical abilities in a supportive, women-centered environment.

The impact is particularly evident in younger participants. One parent reported the program made a "big change for good," significantly reducing their daughter's anxiety and empowering her to pursue technical creative projects with new assurance. This direct feedback, visible on their testimonials page, underscores the organization's role in strengthening the foundational levels of Spokane's tech talent pipeline.

For women navigating a career transition into tech or seeking to upskill within it, Inclusive Tech WA represents a critical trail marker. It offers not just instruction, but a proven environment where technical competence and personal confidence grow together, equipping individuals to contribute to Spokane's evolving tech landscape.

Charting Your Career Path in Spokane

The trail map for women in tech in Spokane is detailed and interconnected, offering multiple routes to a sustainable career. The unique advantage here is how these resources interlock - a scholarship from WSU Spokane can lead to an internship at Providence, which is promoted at TechConnect, all within a cost-of-living framework that makes long-term growth feasible.

For those seeking to build the specific technical skills demanded by this ecosystem, affordable and flexible education pathways are crucial. Nucamp Coding Bootcamp offers an accessible entry point, with programs like their 25-week Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur Bootcamp ($3,980) and 16-week Back End, SQL and DevOps with Python course ($2,124) providing practical, project-based learning. With a ~78% employment rate and flexible payment plans, it represents a viable on-ramp for career changers in the Inland Northwest.

As local leaders emphasize, the focus has successfully shifted from simple networking to strategic leadership and deep skill development. Your path is here, marked by a supportive community, major employers, and dedicated educational resources, waiting for you to take the next informed step. Explore how targeted bootcamp training can complement Spokane's network to accelerate your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions