Reshma Saujani

Founder and CEO

2020

Founder and CEO

2011 - 2021

Girls Who Code is a non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. With their 7-week Summer Immersion Program, a 2-week specialized Campus Program, afterschool Clubs, and a 13-book New York Times best-selling series, they are leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st-century opportunities. Girls Who Code will have reached over 185,000 girls in all 50 states and several US territories. To join the movement or learn more, visit girlswhocode.com.

Failed candidate for New York City Public Advocate

2013 - 2013

Former Deputy Public Advocate

2011 - 2012

Contributor for WNYC's It's A Free Country

2010 - 2011

Research Fellow

2009 - 2011

Failed Congressional Candidate

2009 - 2010

I found myself at age 33 in a job I hated, in a life I didn't want. I was working as a corporate lawyer in New York City, and I felt stuck. Like is this it? And then my best friend Deepa called and she said "just quit." There was nothing profound about what she said, but there was something about hearing that permission in that moment that gave me the courage to walk into my boss's office and quit. And I decided that instead of getting another job I was going to hate, I was going to run for the United States Congress in a primary against an 18-year incumbent. This was back in 2010. I was the first South Asian woman to run for Congress. I even rallied all the Indian aunties that were just so happy to see an Indian girl running. It was the best 10 months of my life. But spoiler: I lost. And I didn't just lose. I lost horribly. There was a headline at the time "Just How Bad Was Reshma Saujani’s Loss?" I'll spare you the details, but it was capital B BAD. I was humiliated. I had just pissed off the entire Democratic establishment for not waiting my turn. But also I had this big aha moment. For so long, I had stopped myself from doing things that I thought that I could fail at. And so I gravitated toward the things that I knew that I could ace. And I had this revelation that maybe instead of living my life perfectly, I could live my life bravely. And that's what led me to starting Girls Who Code, even though I myself was not a coder. Lesson: you never know where failure leads you, so embrace it every time. And you, which setback set you forward? Inspire others, share your proudest failure with #WorthItResume #LOrealParis

Formerly Deputy COO,(liquid markets) Formerly Deputy GC (liquid markets)

2008 - 2009

Associate General Counsel

2006 - 2008

Attorney

2006 - 2006