Stories that Spark Change
Annual Report
2025 - 2026
Welcome | Impact | Programs | Financials | Partners | Looking Ahead
Letter from the Interim Executive Director
Who will build the future? Who will lead it? And who will have a voice in the technologies transforming how we live, work, and connect?
I joined Hackergal in the fall of 2025 as Interim Executive Director, and it has been an exciting year working with our incredible team to advance a powerful mission: helping girls* and gender-diverse youth across Canada see that they can lead, innovate, and build in STEAM.
Having spent my career in tech, I know what it feels like to be the “only one” in the room. That experience is a constant reminder of why it’s important to create spaces where everyone knows they belong.
From coding and responsible AI to design and financial literacy, our curriculum-aligned STEAM programs prepare learners for the future workplace. This year, we delivered free digital skills programming to clubs coast to coast, where learners used technology, data, design, and storytelling to explore real-world challenges and discover how diverse perspectives drive innovation.
As artificial intelligence reshapes our world, we also expanded our curriculum to combine practical AI skills with critical thinking, ethics, bias awareness, and responsible use, to help ensure diverse voices are represented in and help guide this transformative technology.
Our impact goes beyond participation numbers. We’re helping girls* and gender-diverse learners see themselves as future innovators, builders, and leaders, which will ultimately contribute to strengthening Canada’s global competitiveness.
Thank you to our learners, educators, families, volunteers, partners, supporters, Board of Directors, and team. Together, we will ensure every girl* and gender-diverse youth has the opportunity to help build Canada’s future!
Anita Huang Teshima
Interim 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 see 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.
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.
Hackergal's Impact Since 2015
37,000+
Number of Learning Experiences
3,000+
Number of Facilitator Interactions
2,100+
Total Partner Schools and Community Organizations
Hackergal's impact: September 2025 - August 2026
2,877
Total Learning Experiences
384
Total Facilitator Interactions
243
Total Partner Schools and Community Organization Interactions
Year in review
Impact Stories and Events
During the 2025/2026 program year, Hackergal celebrated a decade of inspiring girls* and gender-diverse learners to explore coding, digital skills, and STEAM. Throughout the year, educators and community leaders across Canada were equipped with curriculum, resources, and ongoing support to deliver engaging, practical learning experiences that helped learners build confidence and see themselves as future leaders in technology.
We expanded our community outreach efforts by partnering with community organizations across Canada. These partnerships created inclusive, welcoming spaces where participants could build STEAM skills, connect with mentors and peers, and explore new possibilities for their futures. By meeting learners where they are, Hackergal continued to reduce barriers to participation and extend our impact beyond the classroom.
Hackergal Clubs & Annual National Hackathon
Hackergal Clubs continued to provide welcoming spaces where girls* and gender-diverse learners met regularly to strengthen their digital skills while developing confidence, fostering a sense of belonging, and building meaningful connections with peers who share their interest in STEAM.
These experiences culminated in Hackergal's Annual National Hackathon, a one-day event where learners from across the country came together to hear from keynote speaker Maritza Louis (a visual development modeler and concept sculptor at Disney) and apply their skills to create innovative, technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges.
This year's Hackathon project winners showcased projects that tackled 'The Gender Inequality in Basketball', a 'Career Pathway Assessment' and a project entitled 'We Read to Lead', which utilized HTML and Python, featuring an interactive chatbot.
Ambassador Program
Hackergal’s National Ambassador Program continued to empower girls* and gender-diverse learners in Grades 9–12 across Canada, to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and explore their potential as future STEAM leaders.
This year, the Ambassador Program brought together 39 youth leaders from coast to coast. Over the course of the year, the Ambassadors led Hackergal Clubs in their communities, connected with industry professionals, participated in STEAM-focused workshops, and built lasting relationships with peers.
Through these experiences, they strengthened their leadership, expanded their technical and professional networks, and developed a deeper sense of belonging within Canada's STEAM community.
Two of our Hackergal Ambassadors were also featured on CTV News, where they shared how their experiences with Hackergal helped build their confidence and inspire other girls and gender-diverse youth to pursue opportunities in STEAM!
Curriculum & Hackergal Hub
The Hackergal Hub continued to grow as the foundation of Hackergal's digital learning ecosystem, providing free online courses, educator resources, and facilitator guides to learners and educators across Canada.
Throughout the 2025/2026 program year, the Hub underwent several significant enhancements to improve the learner experience. Hackergal redesigned the platform's user interface and user experience, making it more accessible, intuitive, and engaging for users. New gamification features were also introduced, allowing learners to earn digital badges and celebrate milestones as they progressed through their learning journey.
The Hub's curriculum also expanded significantly to better prepare learners for the future of work. Course offerings were organized around four core learning themes: AI and Coding, Design, Financial Literacy, and STEAM Leadership, reflecting the skills and competencies young people need to thrive in an evolving digital world.
During the year, Hackergal developed new courses both in-house and in collaboration with industry professionals. New learning opportunities included coding a biotech startup with a focus on entrepreneurship, building an AI chatbot using Python, and a Financial Literacy series exploring budgeting, financial decision-making, and how everyday choices influence future goals, among many others.
Hackergal on the Road
The Hackergal Team were kept busy visiting and engaging with several Hackergal Clubs and community partners across Canada! Some highlights included our very first in-person visit with learners and educators in Whitehorse, Yukon; attending the Think Indigenous Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan; a multi-school visit in Moncton, New Brunswick; attending the SCWIST (Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology) conference in Toronto; visiting Hope Blooms in Halifax and ACOMI in Winnipeg; and setting up a booth at the Skills Ontario Young Women's Conference for the first time.
We also completed two larger-scale professional development sessions for educators for the Peel District School Board in Ontario, and in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The educators received training on the Hackergal Hub, and completed activities connecting lesson plans to STEAM, using Hackergal’s six future-ready competencies!
Community Outreach
During March Break, Hackergal supported our long-term partner, the Jean Augustine Centre, in delivering five days of coding programming using the Scratch curriculum on Hackergal Hub. The camp was led by both Hackergal staff and Hackergal Ambassadors to facilitate engagement, build confidence in coding, and support a positive learning experience throughout the camp!
Hackergal Ambassadors, Mariam, Aleena, and Shealteile, played an integral role in program delivery, providing hands-on support to participants while also developing their own leadership and facilitation skills. In preparation for the camp, Mariam supported two training sessions for JAC facilitators, focusing on coding instruction, further strengthening the facilitation and leadership skills she has been building throughout her journey in the Ambassador Program. For Aleena and Shealteile, the experience was an important milestone in their Ambassador journey, providing an opportunity to build confidence in workshop facilitation and deepen their youth engagement skills!
This summer, we also had the privilege of joining STEMedge, John Prince Research Forest, and Binche Whut’en community partners, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers at the Binche Whut'en Shin Cultural Science Camp in northern British Columbia, where together, we explored coding, creativity, science and technology in the great outdoors. We are truly grateful for the invitation and the opportunity to make STEAM more inclusive through this most memorable community and wilderness experience!
Scholarships Funded By:
During the 2025/2026 program year, Hackergal continued to invest in the next generation of women and gender-diverse leaders in STEAM through its Scholarship Program. With the generous support of RBCx and RAVL, Hackergal awarded the RBCx Future Tech Leaders Scholarship and the RAVL Build. Better. Scholarship to two exceptional learners who demonstrated leadership, a passion for technology, and a commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.
Hackergal Scholars serve as role models and changemakers in their schools and communities, using their skills and experiences to inspire others to pursue opportunities in STEAM. Scholarship funding helps remove financial barriers to post-secondary education and skills development by supporting expenses such as tuition, books, laptops, residence fees, school supplies, and other educational costs, enabling recipients to continue building their futures in STEAM fields.
Mariam
First-year student, Engineering
"From participating in a Hackathon, to supporting one, has empowered me to become a role model and inspire young minds to innovate and see themselves in tech. Hackergal's supportive community has been such a meaningful part of my experience, motivating me to continue creating inclusive spaces for youth to explore STEAM."
Shealteile
First-year student, Computer Science
"My journey with Hackergal has shown me the power of a supportive community. Through running a coding club, volunteering, and attending events, I’ve grown my skills, built confidence, and found new ways to share my passion for technology. The connections I’ve made continue to inspire me to pursue a future in STEAM."
2025 Financial Overview
Total Revenue:
$2,022,084
Total Expenses:
$1,630,563
Supporters and Partners
Thank you to our sponsors and donors! Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive future in STEAM.
RBCx
Since 2021, RBCx has been a sponsor of Hackergal's National Ambassador Program, helping build a national community of girls and gender-diverse youth who are developing the confidence, skills, and leadership to shape the future of technology. What began as a shared commitment to increasing representation in STEAM has grown into a dynamic collaboration that is creating meaningful pathways from classroom learning to future careers.
Over five years, RBCx has supported the growth of the Ambassador Program from just nine participants in its first year, to 45 Ambassadors in the 2026–2027 cohort, empowering close to 200 young leaders through leadership development, mentorship, and digital skills training. Together, we have also celebrated outstanding student achievement through the RBCx Innovation Scholarship, recognizing graduating Ambassadors who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to creating a more inclusive technology sector.
Beyond financial support, RBCx employees have become active mentors, speakers, and role models, sharing their expertise through one-on-one mentorship, career panels, workshops, and Hackergal Hub resources. These experiences give Ambassadors direct access to women working in technology while helping them build professional networks, strengthen workplace readiness, and envision themselves as future leaders.
As Hackergal's programming continues to evolve with an increased focus on entrepreneurship, career readiness, and emerging technologies, RBCx remains an invaluable sponsor in preparing the next generation of diverse technology leaders. Together, we are giving Hackergals across Canada the confidence, connections, and opportunities to thrive in Canada's digital economy.
Rideau Hall Foundation
The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) has been an important partner in helping Hackergal create a more inclusive and connected future for girls and gender-diverse learners in STEAM. Through a 2024 Catapult Canada grant, the RHF’s investment in Hackergal resulted in improvements to the accessibility of Hackergal Hub and Hackergal's website, ensuring that more young people, particularly those living with disabilities, can access high-quality digital skills education and explore pathways into technology.
This support enabled a comprehensive accessibility audit of our online learning platform and website, informed updates that improved the user experience, and strengthened our outreach to community organizations serving youth with disabilities. These enhancements have helped ensure that Hackergal's free digital skills resources are designed to meet the needs of a broader and more diverse community of learners.
Building on this work, Hackergal was selected to participate in the RHF’s inaugural Catapult Network Pilot in 2026–2027. Bringing together organizations from across Canada that are working to increase access to STEAM for girls and gender-diverse youth, the pilot creates opportunities for shared learning, relationship building, and cross-sector collaboration.
Together, participating organizations are exploring common challenges, sharing promising practices, and identifying new ways to strengthen pathways into STEAM.
The RHF’s support is helping build a stronger ecosystem of organizations working toward the same goal: ensuring every young person, regardless of ability or background, has the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive in Canada's innovation economy.
We are proud to be part of this collaborative movement and grateful for the Foundation's leadership in advancing a more equitable future for STEAM.
Looking Ahead: Hackergal's Next Chapter
Hackergal is excited to announce that we are launching the Hackergal Innovation Lab, the next evolution of our flagship Hackathon Program. Building on the success of our coding clubs, this exciting new 9-week experience expands beyond coding to immerse learners in AI literacy, sustainability, and real-world problem solving. Working in teams, participants will identify real-world community challenges, design technology-powered solutions, build prototypes, and showcase their ideas at Regional Hackergal Demo Days before celebrating their achievements at the inaugural Hackergal National Innovation Conference.
By shifting from coding challenges to innovation challenges, we're empowering girls* and gender-diverse learners to develop the future-ready skills, confidence, and leadership needed to shape the future.
We're also taking the next step to evolve the Hackergal Ambassador Program into a long-term leadership pathway that supports learners from high school through post-secondary education and into the early stages of their careers. During the 2026/27 program year, Senior Ambassadors will benefit from enhanced career-readiness opportunities, including networking events and mock interviews, while piloting our Ambassador Alumni Network to strengthen lifelong connections, mentorship, and professional opportunities.
Launching in the 2026/27 program year, these enhancements to our programs will create more meaningful pathways for learners to grow as innovators, leaders, and changemakers across Canada!
Thank you for another amazing year!
Contact & How to Get Involved
Previous Reports
Annual Report 2022-2023
Annual Report 2023-2024
