Voices in Tech, impact of AI
Annual Report
2024 – 2025
Welcome | Impact | Community | Financials | Partners | Looking Ahead
Letter from the Executive Director
This past year has been one of innovation, reflection, and growth. At Hackergal, we’ve continued to break down barriers in STEAM education, ensuring that girls* and gender-diverse youth not only feel seen, but heard, inspired, and empowered to lead.
As the world rapidly evolves, we’ve embraced the opportunity to integrate AI into our programming in a meaningful and accessible way. From our workshops to Hackergal Hub, we introduced new learning experiences that empower Canada’s youth to not only use emerging technologies but also to think critically about their impact on the world around them.
Our mission is clear; representation in tech means ensuring the builders of tomorrow reflect the richness of our communities today. We are proud to nurture a new generation of ethical leaders and innovators—youth who ask questions, solve real-world problems, and create with purpose.
To every learner, educator, parent, partner, and supporter—thank you for believing in this vision. The future of tech is brighter because of you.
Lucy Ho
Founder and Executive Director
Our Mission
Hackergal is closing the gender gap by reshaping who leads, who builds, and who belongs in STEAM through future-ready learning experiences.
Our Vision
A Canada where every girl* and gender diverse learner sees themselves as a future leader and innovator in STEAM.
Inclusivity
Hackergal is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome the participation of girls*, gender-diverse, non-binary, and two-spirit learners. We use an inclusive definition of “girls” and “women” and welcome the participation of all learners who identify as girls*.
Our Core Values
At Hackergal, we are guided by our values: equity, education, and community. These values are integrated into our programs, services, and approaches; they are truly the foundation of everything we do as an organization.
Equity
Hackergal is dedicated to advancing equity by creating safe, inclusive learning environments, empowering diverse leaders and expanding access to essential digital skills for all.
Education
Hackergal fosters learning through the development of digital skills, educator support, and inclusive programs, inspiring growth and equipping the next generation as technology continues to shape daily life.
Community
Hackergal drives long-term and sustainable change by uniting partners, educators, and communities across Canada to close the gender gap and empower girls* and gender-diverse learners to envision and create futures in technology.
Helping Hackergals since 2015
34,495
Total Learners Reached
2,610
Total Facilitators Engaged
1,603
Total Partner Schools and Community Organizations Participating
Year in Review
Hackathon
Hackergal’s Hackathon Program is designed to empower teachers and community leaders across Canada with the resources, programming, and personalized support needed to create and sustain interest in STEAM among grades 6-9 girls* and gender-diverse learners. In addition to developing Hackergal Clubs where learners strengthen their coding and digital skills using curriculum and resources available on Hackergal Hub, all participants have the opportunity to apply their skills in our national Hackathon event in the Spring. The Hackathon Program is an opportunity for girls* and gender-diverse learners to be part of a national movement and see themselves as future leaders and innovators in STEAM!
Ambassador Program
Hackergal’s National Ambassador Program is a multi-year opportunity for girls* and gender-diverse learners grades 9–12 across Canada. The program aim to empower the next generation of STEAM changemakers, and cultivate a national community where youth support each other, build confidence, and gain real-world skills, advocating for greater diversity and inclusion in the technology industry.
Through hands-on experiential learning, Ambassadors explore their identities as leaders while building the confidence and agency to shape their futures and redefine what’s possible in STEAM.
Hackergal Scholarship Program
The Hackergal Scholarship Program seeks to empower students who identify as a girl* or gender-diverse student to realize their potential as leaders in STEAM. Hackergal Scholars exemplify passion and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and take action as catalysts for positive change within their communities. They promote awareness, lead by example, and create opportunities for those following in their footsteps. The Scholarship funds are intended to cover expenses connected with education, skills training and research in the STEAM fields. This includes, but is not limited to, tuition costs, residence fees, books, laptops and school supplies.
Scholarships Funded By:
Stella Migmar
First-year Engineering student at McMaster University
“Hackergal fueled my passion for tech inclusion, inspiring me to build more communities where young innovators thrive. What began as a single hackathon opened doors to mentors and like-minded changemakers. Now I’m helping reshape the tech landscape, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of a collective that influences transforming technology’s landscape one coding club at a time.”
Azka Siddiqui
First-year Computer Engineering student at the University of Waterloo
Through running a coding club, mentoring young learners, and facilitating the Hackergal National Hackathon, I’ve learned that empowering others is just as transformative as being empowered yourself. The most meaningful part of my journey has been creating spaces where girls can explore coding with confidence and see that their voice is the future of STEM.
Hackergal’s 2024/2025 Impact
3,672
Learners Reached
339
Facilitators Engaged
234
Total Partner Schools and Community Organizations
2024 Financial Overview
Total Expenses:
$1,177,638
Total Revenue:
$1,136,056
Hackergal x Toronto Raptors Collaboration
This year, Hackergal teamed up with the Toronto Raptors for a one-of-a-kind Hackathon experience that brought coding and creativity courtside. This unforgettable collaboration empowered girls* and gender-diverse youth to explore tech through dynamic workshops, digital labs, and hands-on coding challenges, all with the energy and inspiration of Canada’s most iconic basketball team behind them. Don’t miss the highlights, watch the recap here!
At Hackergal, we believe every girl* and gender-diverse learner deserves the opportunity to thrive in technology. In 2024, with the transformative support of Northbridge Financial, we launched our Community Outreach Program, an ambitious initiative designed to deliver inclusive, culturally responsive STEAM education to BIPOC youth across Canada. This pivotal milestone sparked significant growth, allowing us to expand into new regions, build trust with underserved communities, and empower more young people than ever before with the skills and confidence to succeed in the digital world.
During the 2024/2025 school year, the Community Outreach Program, made possible by Northbridge’s leadership, achieved milestones that reflect both impact and intention. Hackergal hired two dedicated Outreach Specialists. These individuals brought lived experience, cultural fluency, and strategic insight to their roles, engaging communities with empathy and authenticity.
Hackergal formed partnerships with organizations like the George Chuvalo Neighborhood Centre, Ethos Lab, and the Nia Centre for the Arts. We launched our first BIPOC-focused Coding Clubs and created a Black Youth Advisory Committee to ensure programming is grounded in real voices and lived experience.
These efforts were rooted in a deep commitment to listening and learning. We asked questions, created space for honest dialogue, and built programs in collaboration with those we serve. From identifying barriers to participation to co-designing safer learning environments, every step was taken with intentionality and respect.
Guided by trust-based relationship building, our Indigenous Outreach Specialist connected with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, and community organizations through events like the Halifax Indigenous Education Conference. This engagement informed future community outreach and identified priorities for future development, such as cultural awareness training for staff and localized curriculum co-creation.
Our partnership with Northbridge Financial has enabled Hackergal to center equity in our programming, expand our reach, and ensure that girls* and gender-diverse youth, regardless of background, can see themselves as future.
Supporters and Partners
Thank you to our sponsors and donors! Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive future in STEAM.
Looking Ahead
Hackergal is stepping boldly into its next chapter—one powered by purpose, innovation, and the belief that the future of STEAM must be more inclusive, equitable, and representative. Our new mission is driving this vision forward: Hackergal is closing the gender gap by reshaping who leads, who builds, and who belongs in STEAM through future-ready learning experiences.
Looking ahead, we’re deepening our commitment to building a generation of girls* and gender-diverse youth who don’t just participate in tech—they lead it. Through expanded national programming, new pathways for mentorship, and a reimagined digital platform, we’re creating spaces where young people can explore emerging technologies, build real-world skills, and see themselves as innovators, changemakers, and leaders.
We’re also investing in educator training and community partnerships to ensure every learner—no matter their background or geography—has access to opportunity and representation in tech.
Hackergal’s future is bold, collaborative, and deeply hopeful. As we scale our impact, we remain grounded in the belief that when we empower underrepresented youth in STEAM, we all benefit from a future shaped by diverse voices and bold ideas.
Thank you for being on this journey with us!
Previous Reports
Annual Report 2022-2023
Annual Report 2023-2024
