Launch of the ACM-W Latin America and Caribbean Working Group
We are excited to announce the launch of the ACM-W Latin America and Caribbean Working Group, a new initiative dedicated to strengthening and connecting the community of women in computing across the Latin American and Caribbean regions.
This important step began with an in-person meeting held in San José, Costa Rica, on April 24, where ACM-W members and regional leaders gathered to discuss the future vision of a regional community, identify priorities, and explore pathways toward establishing an official ACM-W region.
During the meeting, we shared both opportunities and challenges, including the need for stronger regional collaboration, increased visibility for local initiatives, the expansion of ACM-W chapters, and sustainable funding strategies for gender equity activities in computing. We also had a chance to meet local chapters and students to strengthen our relationships.
It was an amazing experience to visit the University of Costa Rica, National University of Costa Rica and Fidelitas University. An event was scheduled at the University of Costa Rica with a keynote delivered by Dr. Arati Dixit on ‘Responsible and Ethical AI for Cybersecurity’ and by Dr. Jodi Tims on ‘ACM-W Chapters – Local communities that support, celebrate and advocate’. The enthusiastic students shared their plans about the ACM-W student chapter at their University. A meeting was scheduled with the representatives of the different campuses of National University of Costa Rica and Fidelitas University.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the shared agreement that “ACM-W Latin America and Caribbean” would best represent the diversity and collaboration goals of the community.
We are also excited to introduce the four founding members of the ACM-W Latin America and Caribbean Working Group, who will help shape the future vision and activities of this initiative:
Founding Members
Gabriela Marin, Costa Rica
She obtained a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Costa Rica (UCR), earned a MSc degree from Case Western Reserve University and a PhD from Texas A&M University. She has over 40 years of experience teaching Computer Science at UCR. She served as Director of the Graduate Program in Computer Science and Informatics, was Dean of the Graduate Studies System, and Director of the Center for ICT Research (CITIC). She has organized national and international conferences. She has served on and chaired the program committee of numerous events. She has been actively involved in the organization of the Latin American Women in Computing Conference (LAWCC) since its inception in 2009. In 2012, she was elected, and subsequently re-elected, President of the Latin American Center for Informatics Studies (CLEI), becoming the first woman and the first Central American to hold such a position. She received the 2012 Computer Science Merit Award for Education and Research from the Costa Rican Association of Computer Science Professionals. From 2016 to 2022, she served as Vice President of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), as head of the Digital Equity Committee. In October 2021, she received the CLEI Latin American Merit Award in Computer Science. In August 2023, she retired and continues to serve as an honorary professor at the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
Nadia Rodriguez, Peru
Nadia Rodríguez is an academic leader with a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the Consortium of Universities of Peru, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, and a bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Lima, Peru. Her research focuses on the career trajectories of Peruvian women in information technology and factors influencing women’s participation in STEM fields. In 2026, she founded the ACM-W Professional Lima Chapter, reflecting her commitment to advancing opportunities and building supportive communities for women in computing and technology. She currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Universidad de Lima, where she promotes strong collaboration between academia and industry to enhance innovation and student development. Prior to this role, she served for nine years as Director of the Systems Engineering Undergraduate Program. She also has experience in international projects focused on educational innovation, sustainability, and women in STEM.
Maristela Holanda, Brazil
Professor at the University of Brasília, Brazil, since 2009, with a postdoctoral project in Educational Data Analysis. She was a Visiting Associate Professor at Texas A&M University in 2023. Researcher in Databases and Computer Science Education. She is co-founder and coordinator of the Meninas.comp project, launched in 2010 with the goal of increasing female participation in computing. She is the faculty sponsor of the first ACM-W student chapter in South America, the University of Brasília ACM-W Student Chapter.
Valeria Herskovic, Chile
Valeria Herskovic is an associate professor at the Department of Computer Science, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, Chile. Her research lies at the intersection of Human–Computer Interaction, Human-Centered AI, and Computing Education, with a particular focus on designing and evaluating technologies that support learning, health, and wellbeing. She is co-founder and is a co-organizer of ChileWIC, the Chilean celebration of women in computing.
Together, this working group will collaborate closely with ACM-W leadership to build a stronger regional network, support local communities, and create more opportunities for women in computing throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
This is the beginning of an exciting journey, and we look forward to growing this community together.
Stay connected with ACM-W for upcoming announcements, activities, and opportunities related to the ACM-W Latin America and Caribbean Working Group.