Women make up only 22% of data and AI roles and contribute just 3% of Python commits, leaving a “missing 78%” of untapped talent and perspective. This talk shares what happened when our community doubled overnight, revealing hidden demand for inclusive spaces in scientific Python.

We’ll present the data behind this growth, examine systemic barriers, and introduce the VIM framework (Visibility–Invitation–Mechanism) — a research-backed model for building resilient, inclusive communities. Attendees will leave with practical, reproducible strategies to grow engagement, improve retention, and ensure that the future of AI and Python is shaped by all voices, not just the few.