The SHEInnovates event at Edmonton's Epcor Tower on October 22 brought together women in science, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation from around the province for an evening of inspiration, celebration and solidarity. A global program launched by UN Women, SHEInnovates is a global program dedicated to showcasing and inspiring the women who are driving innovation, because "if we can see it, we can be it." Alberta was selected to pilot the first local SHEInnovateschapter, a decision that grew out conversations that took place at the Women inInnovation dinner at Inventures in June 2018. SHEInnovates Alberta co-chairs Dawn de Lima and JenniferKoury were instrumental in bringing the program to Alberta, recognizing thatthe province is unique due to its can-do spirit and support of entrepreneurialism.That spirit is shared by Albertan women, who participate in innovation atelevated rates: 15.5% of Albertan women are involved in starting businesses, whichis not only higher than the rate of Canada as a whole, but also higher thanthat in other innovation-driven countries such as the United States, Australiaand UK. Also, significantly, 30% of tech entrepreneurs in the province arewomen. Alberta Innovates' CEO, Laura Kilcrease, has been a vocalsupporter of the SHEInnovates program, and was selected as one of its featuredSHEInnovators. Kilcrease and Alberta Innovates continue to empower women in technologyand innovation, and at a Female Founders, Funders and Fortifiers event held earlierthis month, she announced that Inventures would be hosting a pitch competitionfor female entrepreneurs in June 2020.