March 2026 HER WAKA session — AI panel discussion, hands-on AI workshop, and RCSA tech hiring insights.
Session 1 — Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pmacademyEX Pikopiko, AucklandOur March HER WAKA session focuses on Artificial Intelligence and the evolving tech job market in 2026. This session will help participants understand how AI is influencing job opportunities, recruitment trends, and the skills that matter most right now.
A dynamic AI Panel Discussion featuring industry professionals
A short, hands-on workshop exploring practical AI tools and how they are shaping workplaces — by the end, each participant will have created something on their own computer
A special guest speaker from RCSA sharing insights into the 2026 tech hiring landscape and what employers are looking for
Chan is the panel speaker, vibe coding workshop instructor, and the developer who built this website. She brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and hands-on teaching experience to this session.
Chan Meng is a Senior AI/ML Infrastructure and Full-Stack Engineer who specialises in architecting generative AI solutions, autonomous agentic systems, and highly scalable cloud-native applications. Currently serving as a Founding Engineer at Gavigo and CTO at Sanicle, she drives end-to-end technical execution using advanced frameworks including Next.js, Node.js, Python, Docker, and Kubernetes. Her deep engineering expertise spans advanced RAG architectures, LLM orchestration, and complex microservices.Chan holds a Master’s degree in Applied Computing (with Distinction, Dean’s List) and has professional experience at ByteDance. She is an active open-source contributor to projects including CopilotKit (24.6k+ GitHub stars) and Anthropic’s MCP Servers, and has built 30+ live commercial and open-source applications spanning AI agents, FemTech platforms, MCP servers, and developer tools.She is a recognised global speaker — presenting at UN CSW 69 in New York on AI-powered women’s workplace health solutions — and a dedicated STEM mentor through Forward with Her and SheSharp. She holds 25+ professional certifications from HackerRank, Microsoft, Google, GitHub, Docker, and Anthropic.
Dr. Mahsa McCauley is Chair of the AI Forum New Zealand and a leading expert in artificial intelligence whose work bridges technology, education and policy. She is an Associate Professor of AI at Auckland University of Technology and a Fulbright Scholar, with research spanning AI, machine learning, IoT and cybersecurity. She is the Founder and Director of SheSharp Charitable Trust, a volunteer-led organisation supporting women in technology. In January 2026, she was appointed Communication and Information Commissioner for the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. She is a recognised public speaker and commentator on AI, cybersecurity and the future of work.
Nikita Kumari is a PMP-certified Product and Project Manager with over 6 years of experience delivering AI and digital products in B2B SaaS. She began her career as a Python developer, building a strong technical foundation before moving into product and agile delivery roles. Her work includes hands-on involvement in AI and machine learning initiatives, focused on real business outcomes — improving decision-making, automating workflows, and enhancing user experience. Now based in Auckland, she is passionate about practical leadership and sharing honest insights from her journey — especially for professionals building careers in product, tech, and AI in a new country.
