Geek Foundation leader in running for Women in IT Awards

Provided by The Geek Foundation

Krista Peryer is up for Woman of the Year and Outstanding Contribution of the Year from DiversityQ.

Krista Peryer, founder and director of The Geek Foundation nonprofit in Springfield, is in the running for two honors in the Women in IT Awards USA 2022.

Peryer is a finalist for Woman of the Year and Outstanding Contribution of the Year for the awards presented by DiversityQ, an international advocate and promoter of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, according to a news release.

Peryer in the release said her proudest accomplishment professionally "has been witnessing the transformation in women, who nervously inquire about The Geek Foundation’s tech programs, to see them gain such confidence and empowerment within their area of study and graduate from the programs.”

The Geek Foundation offers six-month adult classes teaching information technology and web development, as well as computer programming, coding and robotics programs for children and teens, according to past reporting. The programming is free to participants.

“Our mission is to try and reach women, minority groups and low-income populations,” Peryer said in a 2021 Springfield Business Journal article. “We really wanted to make sure there’s just no barriers at all.”

The winners of the Women in IT Awards USA are scheduled to be announced Sept. 14 in New York City, according to the release.