Michigan Council of Women in Technology

What Michigan Council of Women in Technology does

Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, with a mission to make Michigan the leading state for girls and women in technology. The organization delivers a lifecycle program portfolio across three tracks: K-12 Initiatives (GET-IT clubs, Camp Infinity week-long technology camps, Girls Solve IT robotics competition), University Initiatives (scholarships and Mentor Match), and Career Initiatives (ELEVATE leadership cohort, Reignite re-entry program, ConnectNet Forums). MCWT does not develop proprietary technology products; its "platform" is a community and events network spanning 1,500 members, 192 corporate partners, and 682 annual volunteer engagements, with cumulative scholarship giving of $2,070,055 across 409 recipients since inception.

The organization generates revenue through five streams: tiered corporate sponsorships ranging from $1,500 (Supporting) to $100,000+ (Diamond Elite Plus) annually, individual memberships at $100/year, program fees ($125 per Camp Infinity camper, $50 per Girls Solve IT team), tax-deductible donations, and event revenue — the 17th Annual Signature Gala in November 2025 alone raised $355,500 in gross funds with 700 attendees and 57 sponsors led by host sponsor Borg Warner. Distribution is statewide across Michigan through the Breakfast Roadshow, four Camp Infinity campus sites, university partnerships (University of Michigan, Grand Valley State, Kettering), and corporate host venues operated by partners including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Flagstar Bank, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.

Operationally MCWT runs with a thin 1-10 paid staff base, augmented by a Board of Directors and Advisory Board staffed by senior executives from anchor corporate partners. Current leadership is President Anita Klopfenstein (Global CIO, Little Caesars), Vice President Christine Shook (Director of Architecture, Consumers Energy), and Executive Director Lori Koza, who joined full-time in mid-2025 after 30 years in enterprise software at AWS, VMware, CrowdStrike, ServiceNow, HP, and Symantec. The organization has no parent company, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds, and operates exclusively in the U.S. Midwest market.

Name

Michigan Council of Women in Technology

Legal name

Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation

Website

https://mcwt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that runs lifecycle programs — K-12 camps, university scholarships, and career cohorts — to advance girls and women in Michigan's technology workforce, funded by corporate sponsorships, memberships, donations, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Women-in-Technology Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)

Keywords

• Women in technology
• STEM education programs
• Scholarship programs
• Professional mentoring services
• Career development

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Tiered corporate partnership program where companies sponsor MCWT at various levels from Diamond Elite Plus ($100,000+) to Supporting ($1,500 annually). Sponsors receive benefits including memberships, event seating, website visibility, and advisory board opportunities.
2. Membership Dues: Annual regular memberships at $100 per year, active for one year from enrollment date. Provides networking, mentoring, career development, volunteer opportunities, and discounted event rates.
3. Program Fees: Camp Infinity week-long technology camps cost $125 per camper. Girls Solve IT teams pay $50/team to participate.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations supporting programs for women in technology. MCWT is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from signature events including the Annual Gala, Golf Classics, and other fundraising events. The 17th Annual Gala raised $355,500 in gross funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

MCWT is a nonprofit organization that delivers three integrated program tracks — K-12 Initiatives (tech camps, robotics competitions), University Initiatives (scholarships, mentoring), and Career Initiatives (leadership cohorts, workforce re-entry) — to inspire and grow women in technology across Michigan. Offerings are funded via corporate sponsorships, individual memberships, program fees, donations, and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT) is a nonprofit organization operating as a single integrated program portfolio rather than a multi-module technology platform. The organization's offerings consist of three interconnected program tracks—K-12 Initiatives (GET-IT clubs, Camp Infinity, Girls Solve IT), University Initiatives (scholarships, Mentor Match), and Career Initiatives (ELEVATE, Reignite, ConnectNet Forums)—supplemented by signature events (Executive Connection Summit, Annual Gala) and an annual membership program. These programs collectively form a lifecycle approach designed to inspire girls at K-12 levels, support women through university education, and advance women throughout their technology careers, with the overarching goal of making Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Infinity: Week-long technology camps for middle and high school girls to explore computer and internet technologies through hands-on activities
• GET-IT Program
• ELEVATE Program
• Ignite Mentorship Program
• Woman of the Year in Technology Award
• Executive Connection Summit
• Girls Solve IT
• Reignite Program

Products and services

• Camp Infinity Week-long technology day camps for middle and high school girls held at multiple Michigan locations (WCCCD Northwest Detroit, Lansing Community College, Vervint Grand Rapids, Lake Michigan College Benton Harbor) featuring hands-on activities with robotics, MIT Scratch, MIT App Inventor, and AI exploration; includes light breakfast and lunch; $125 per camper per week with scholarships available.
• Girls Solve IT Statewide technology competition for Michigan girls in grades 4-8 where teams complete educational tech quests using Finch 2.0 robots to qualify for cash prizes; $50 per team registration fee.
• MCWT Individual Membership Annual membership program at $100 per year, active for one year from enrollment date, providing networking, mentoring, career development, volunteer opportunities, and discounted event rates for women in technology and supporters of the mission.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Tiered annual corporate partnership program with sponsorship levels from Supporting ($1,500) and Bronze ($3,000) up to Diamond ($25,000), Diamond Elite ($50,000), and Diamond Elite Plus ($100,000+) providing access to talent recruitment, brand visibility, event seating, advisory board participation, and networking with Michigan's technology community.
• Annual Signature Gala Annual fundraising gala, referred to as the 17th Annual "Celestial Ball" in November 2025, bringing together 700+ tech professionals and corporate partners; 57 sponsors including host sponsor Borg Warner; the 2025 event raised $355,500 in gross funds.
• Executive Connection Summit Annual professional development and networking summit connecting women in technology for learning, connection, and career advancement; 9th annual event featured 1,000+ participants with speakers, panels, and awards including the Woman of the Year in Technology recognition.
• Woman of the Year in Technology Award Annual award recognizing Michigan women making significant impacts for girls and women in technology, with categories including Community Impact and Empowering Leader; presented at the Executive Connection Summit, past recipients include Melanie Kalmar (Dow CIO/CDO, 2021), Judy Asher (2018), Alison Gleeson (Cisco, 2017), and Nancy Benovich Gilby (2016).
• MCWT Scholarship and Mentor Match Program University scholarship program for female students pursuing technology-focused degrees in Michigan, paired with industry mentors through the Mentor Match program; in 2024, $171,500 was awarded to 49 recipients; cumulative since 2002, 409 scholarships totaling $2,070,055 have been awarded; includes mentorship ties to companies such as Comerica Bank and Perficient.
• ELEVATE Leadership Cohort Six-month cohort program supporting women in technology careers with leadership development, networking, and mentorship opportunities; participants work with executive leaders and culminate in capstone engagements.
• Reignite Career Re-Entry Program Program supporting women returning to the workforce or transitioning into technology careers with growth opportunities in an evolving industry; nearly 50 women currently participate in ongoing Reignite and ELEVATE-Level Up cohorts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 409 scholarships totaling $2,070,055 awarded since 2002
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond Elite sponsor and long-time partner. BCBSM has 80+ employees as MCWT members, sponsors professional networking events, creates technology badge events for Girl Scout collaborations, hosts Camp Infinity and Summer Virtual Learning sessions, and has employees serving on Board and Advisory Board. The company is a Diamond Elite sponsor contributing significantly to MCWT programs.
• Flagstar BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond Elite MCWT partner working to enhance representation of girls and women in technology aligned with company commitment to diverse work environment. Flagstar's CIO served as MCWT president in 2021, and several executives have served on Board of Directors and Advisory Board.
• MITech NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMichigan technology news outlet that has shared MCWT news since 2000. Founded by Mike Brennan, the outlet was first website in Michigan exclusively devoted to technology news. MITechNews supports MCWT's vision to make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology.
• Borg WarnercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost sponsor of the 17th Annual Gala (Celestial Ball). Technology company in automotive sector partnering with MCWT to support women in technology programs.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowering Girls Solve IT program. Judy Asher was a technology leader at Ford before joining McKesson. Ford has supported MCWT programs and galas as a longtime sponsor.
• General MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime supporter of MCWT, hosting gala and sponsoring programs. GM's CIO spoke at MCWT events and the company has partnered on initiatives to support women in technology.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Executive Connection Summit and MCWT programs. Past president Grace Hansen was VP at Stellantis. Company supports programs for women in technology.
• Little CaesarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Chief Information and Digital Officer Anita Klopfenstein serves as MCWT President. Company supports MCWT through executive leadership and programs.
• Consumers EnergysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond tier sponsor. Posts technology job openings through MCWT partner job postings. Christine Shook, Director of Architecture for Applications and Analytics at Consumers Energy, serves as MCWT Vice President.
• Comerica BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEmpowerment sponsor of MCWT events. Employees serve as mentors through MCWT programs including Shaelese King, project manager at Comerica Bank mentoring scholarship recipients.
• Whirlpool FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting MCWT's mission to inspire and grow women in technology.
• MascosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEmpowerment sponsor of MCWT 17th Annual Gala. Michelle Greene, former Masco executive, donated scholarship opportunity through Tech Whisperers podcast.
• Ally FinancialsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology careers partner posting jobs through MCWT platform to reach women in technology.
• American Axle ManufacturingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner posting technology career opportunities through MCWT.
• AmerisuresupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance company partner posting technology career opportunities through MCWT.
• AmwaysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology careers partner with positions posted through MCWT including Cloud Data Engineer role.
• ApexonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology staffing partner posting career opportunities through MCWT platform.
• Check Point Software TechnologiessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCybersecurity technology partner posting career opportunities through MCWT.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Girls Who Code: National nonprofit running K-12 coding programs, clubs, and summer immersion programs for girls. Directly comparable as a peer running girls-in-tech education programs, though national in scale versus MCWT's Michigan focus.
• National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT): National nonprofit advancing women in computing from K-12 through career. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned peer operating programs in mentoring, awards, and corporate partnerships, but at significantly larger national scale.
• AnitaB.org: Nonprofit (formerly Anita Borg Institute) focused on women technologists, operating programs like GHC and Top Companies for Women Technologists. Directly comparable as a peer women-in-tech organization, though broader in geographic and topical scope than MCWT.
• Women in Technology International (WITI): Global nonprofit organization supporting women in technology through networking, mentoring, and professional development programs. Directly comparable as a peer women-in-tech organization with corporate partnerships and member-based programming.
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): National nonprofit empowering women engineers across K-12, university, and career stages with scholarships, awards, and professional development. Directly comparable in lifecycle program structure and corporate sponsorship model, though broader across all engineering disciplines.

Emerging players

• Rewriting the Code: Nonprofit supporting college women and early-career women in tech through fellowship, mentoring, and community. Comparable in university-to-career programming and corporate partnership model, though not regionally anchored like MCWT.
• TechWomen: Initiative of the U.S. State Department supporting women in STEM from Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Comparable in mentoring and career advancement mission, though international in scope versus MCWT's regional focus.
• Lesbians Who Tech: Nonprofit community of queer women and non-binary people in technology. Comparable as peer women-in-tech community running career programs, fellowships, and a major annual summit, though with different demographic focus.
• Black Girls CODE: Nonprofit providing technology education to girls of color through workshops and after-school programs. Comparable in mission and K-12 program delivery, but narrower demographic focus and primarily urban-market oriented.

Regional players

• Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Regional Michigan-based organization supporting Hispanic business and workforce development. Comparable as a Michigan-anchored nonprofit with corporate sponsorships and lifecycle programming, though focused on Hispanic business community rather than women in tech specifically.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/37795528624
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-council-of-women-in-technology-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcwtfoundation
• Xx.com/mcwt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan Council of Women in Technology