Reshma Saujani

Reshma Saujani is a globally recognised advocate, author, and entrepreneur whose lived experiences have fuelled her mission to advance racial and gender equality. As the Founder and CEO of Moms First and previously Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, Reshma has dedicated her career to closing opportunity gaps for women, particularly women of colour, in technology, leadership, and the workplace. Raised as the daughter of South Asian refugees who fled Uganda, Reshma’s personal narrative of displacement, resilience, and navigating systemic barriers deeply informs her work. Her speaking topics reflect this passion and include Fail First, Fail Hard & Fail Fast; Closing the Gender Gap in Tech; Women & Leadership; Democracy; Advocacy; Gender; Youth; and Technology. In every engagement, she draws from her journey to inspire action on dismantling structural inequalities that disproportionately affect marginalised groups.

Reshma’s path began in law and public service. After earning degrees from the University of Illinois, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and Yale Law School, she launched her career as an attorney and political activist. In 2010, she became the first Indian-American woman to run for U.S. Congress, using her platform to advocate for immigrant and minority communities. Although unsuccessful, the campaign inspired her to address the gender gap in technology, leading to the founding of Girls Who Code in 2011. Under her leadership, the organisation grew into a global movement, helping hundreds of thousands of girls—particularly from underrepresented racial backgrounds—gain access to coding education and technology careers.

Reshma’s work has earned her significant recognition. In 2024, she was named one of the 50 Executive Women Shaping the Future of Business With Purpose at the New Era of Leadership Awards, hosted the inaugural Moms First Summit, and was appointed to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 250 Board of Advisers. She was also invited to speak at the 2024 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. Her books, including Pay Up: The Future of Women & Work (2022), Brave, Not Perfect (2020), Girls Who Code (2017), and Women Who Don’t Wait in Line (2013), have amplified her advocacy. Previous honours include Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 (2015), The Wall Street Journal’s Technology Innovator (2014), and Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business (2013). In 2016, she delivered her TED talk, Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection.

In her talks, Reshma delves into the intersections of race, gender, and opportunity, offering actionable insights on how businesses and institutions can foster inclusive leadership, equitable workplaces, and systemic change. Whether addressing the challenges faced by women of colour in tech or advocating for broader democratic participation, she confronts deeply embedded inequalities with clarity and urgency. Organisations hire Reshma for her unique blend of personal storytelling, policy expertise, and visionary leadership, making her a compelling voice on racial equality and an invaluable asset to any event committed to meaningful, lasting change.