CALGARY DROP-IN CENTRE
308
H elen Wetherley Knight , Director of Information Technology ( IT ) at the Calgary Drop-In Centre ( The DI ), has always been excited by computers . “ My parents met through computer dating ,” she mentions , “ so I ’ m the product of that technology from the early 70 ’ s . I started programming when I was nine and I was very interested in technology , however , in high school , I learned that ‘ tech was for boys ’, so I backed away for a few years . Now , I am a pretty loud advocate for keeping women engaged in technology .” Knight has worked in IT for over 20 years , spending 12 of those years at Suncor Energy while also running her own consulting business , Helen Knight Consulting Inc . During that time , she was also a regular volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In Centre in the city ’ s downtown .
Serving over 10,000 people a year , the DI provides essential care , health services , employment training and housing support to those in need . In 2018 , the DI provided Calgary ’ s homeless population with over 100,000 pieces of clothing , served over 400,000 meals in its dining hall , and provided 420,000 individual nights of shelter . When , in 2016 , the DI began searching for a new IT Director , Knight ’ s volunteering record put her at the top of the list . “ There was a focus on having someone with non-profit experience . I was lucky to be considered because I had been a volunteer .” She explains : “ That speaks to one of
MARCH 2019