Olayinka Onipede, a former stay-at-home mom, knows what it feels like to be stuck. After years of raising her daughter, she wanted to return to work without sacrificing her values or family time. Heels and Tech made that happen, and today, Olayinka holds a coveted role at Deloitte Canada, thanks to the support and training she received from the led academy. This is the kind of dream Bisola Alabi is making a reality. Through Heels and Tech, she is helping women upskill, build confidence, and take control of their futures in the tech industry.
Bola Abiola founded Heels and Tech in 2018 to close the gender gap in technology by providing women with in-demand tech skills. She believes that technology isn’t limited to coders, so the academy offers courses in business analysis, product design, project management, UX/UI design, and data analysis. Women from various backgrounds, including stay-at-home moms and mid-career professionals, benefit from these programs.
If you ask Bisola Alabi what drives her, she’ll probably say it’s her passion for seeing women succeed in traditionally excluded spaces. As the founder of Heels and Tech, she knows firsthand the barriers women face in the tech industry.
Alabi, who has a degree in economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, raked over eight years of experience building startups worth over $12.5 million. While she built a successful career in male-dominated spaces, she couldn’t ignore the glaring gender disparity in tech.
Many women in Sub-Saharan Africa face barriers to entering and excelling in the tech industry due to limited access, skills, and confidence. Only 30% of women in this region receive STEM training and participate in the tech sector. Recognizing this challenge became a motivating factor for her, prompting her to take action to empower African women to succeed in technology.
Heels and Tech is a movement aimed at bridging the gender gap in the tech industry by equipping women with practical, in-demand skills. The instructors are experienced professionals who have spent years working with global companies, Fortune 500 organizations, and tech startups. Participants in each cohort learn how to build scalable, high-quality products. They also engage in real-world projects individually and as part of a team.
Moreover, the academy offers more than just technical training; it includes resume building, LinkedIn branding, and interview preparation programs. They provide live interactive classes, 24/7 access to training materials, and a flexible schedule suitable for busy professionals.
Diana, a former language instructor, has an inspiring story to share. Seeking more significant opportunities for her career, she enrolled in the Salesforce Administrator course offered by Heels and Tech. After completing this course, she took a second course and transitioned into a role as a Salesforce Business Analyst. Ultimately, Diana specialised as a Product Owner and received job offers from companies worldwide. It’s exciting to see more women entering and succeeding in the tech field, and Heels and Tech is playing a significant role in making this possible.
