DETROIT – The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation raised $390,000 in donations earlier this month during its 10th annual Signature Gala that drew 600 IT Professionals from Michigan’s technology sector and beyond.

The event, hosted by General Motors at the Renaissance Center Marriott, opened with a silent auction, fundraising Wall of Wine, and cocktail social time. These programs help raise money to fund various excellent MCWT programs like the GET-IT Girls summer camp and the many scholarship winners each year. A fast action live auction after the dinner also helped raise additional funds.

As the event moved from the Silent Auction to Dinner, familiar faces from the people who support this mission joined together for a formal night of celebration. The attendees connected and celebrated the success of the prior year and set goals to continue to grow MCWT and its programs in 2016.

Cindy Warner, MCWT President, served as a wonderful host for the evening that was themed “OpportunITy, DiversITy, CommunITy.” GM, the Diamond Sponsor, was represented by Nicholas Bell, CIO for Global Product Development, who delivered the keynote speech about the importance of women in technology. Vishakha Radia, the Co-Vice President of Partner Development, along with Chris Rydzewski, took the stage to thank the additional generous partners that helped sponsor the Gala and programs throughout the year. Besides GM, AT&T served as a Diamond sponsor, while Ford Motor Company and Fiat-Chrysler, along with several technology companies, were Platinum sponsors.

Warner said she believes “achieving diversity at all levels strengthens our companies and our economy, but we know we can’t do it alone. Our bold vision to make Michigan the first choice for women in technology will take many stakeholders coming together, from the business community, retirees, parents, teachers, and other like-minded organizations. That is what tonight is all about.”

The main takeaway from Warner:“Technology can fuel your passion.” She gave examples and made it clear that no matter what a woman finds that drives her in life, she can find a technology career related to that passion. That is a message everyone can take away. This inspiring speech was followed by the testimonies of four young women helped by MCWT.

Chelsea Carter was one of the young women to take the stage and share how much the MCWT scholarship will go towards her computer engineering degree she hopes to earn at Kettering University, the former General Motors Institute. She is a fine example of the 22 scholarship winners recognized at an event earlier this year. Carter served as a student ambassador to Focus HOPE Digital Connections, participated in the well-respected Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, and serves as a role model for younger ladies.

“The more I engaged in STEM activities, the stronger I became academically and the more certain I became that an engineering career is in my future,” said Carter during her remarks. “I attribute my success to the Michigan Council of Women in Technology. I became involved in MCWT for STEM advancement, and I’m now ready to take on the world.”

A young pair of sisters, Lauren and Landrie Adams shared their excitement on stage from participating in MCWT programs. Fiona Green was the youngest young lady on stage describing the positive impact of MCWT to her. She did her own study with young girls to see what interests them more, celebrities or technology. She found that “lots of girls are pretty interested in tech, maybe someday they will pursue jobs in technology.”

Warner says “the funds we raise tonight determine the number of middle school and high school girls that will get a key message: You are smart enough, you are capable enough, and you are worthy enough to reach for a career that provides promise, challenge, and great rewards. That career is technology.”

The Annual Signature Gala connects generations of people with a common goal, to support women in technology. That is a vision that can be shared by many and is seen from the generous community support at the Gala this year.

For more information on the Michigan Council for Women in Technology: www.mcwt.org

Associate Editor Nicole Johnson leads MITechNews.Com’s efforts to foster STEM education, as well as provides coverage for her fellow women in computing. If you have a story idea for Nicole, email her at [email protected]. Follow Nicole on Twitter:@tech_nicole