Reshma Saujani’s Unconventional Path to Founding Girls Who Code
In a revealing episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, Reshma Saujani, founder of the nonprofit Girls Who Code, shared her unlikely journey into tech with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
“If I had applied to be the CEO of Girls Who Code, I wouldn’t have gotten the job,” Saujani admitted. “I didn’t code. I majored in political science and speech communications—the only thing I’d ever built was a failed congressional campaign.”
Despite her non-technical background, Saujani launched one of the most influential STEM organizations globally. Since 2012, Girls Who Code has trained over 670,000 girls, women, and nonbinary individuals in programming and STEM skills, with backing from tech giants like Microsoft and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey.
The Realities of Female Entrepreneurship
The conversation delved into the often-unspoken challenges women face while building businesses:
- Sacrifices and Struggles: Saujani opened up about balancing motherhood, miscarriages, and an autoimmune disorder while leading the nonprofit. “I was performing in front of children I desperately wanted,” she said. “It was eating me up inside.”
- Fundraising Wisdom: The duo discussed a key entrepreneurial adage: Ask for advice, and you might get funding; ask for funding, and you’ll get advice.
- Social Impact: Meghan emphasized the podcast’s goal to inspire “social entrepreneurship,” praising Saujani’s work in advocating for women in tech.
From Bullying to Breaking Barriers
Saujani, the daughter of Indian immigrants, reflected on her childhood struggles with identity and bullying:
“I got beat up pretty bad. I tried to assimilate into white culture, but I realized I’m not white—and I never will be. I have a responsibility to teach people about difference.”
Her experiences fueled her mission to empower marginalized groups in tech, especially as AI exacerbates gender disparities. Women comprise just 22% of the global AI workforce, with representation dwindling in senior roles. Girls Who Code has already taught 8,000+ students about AI to combat this gap.
The Fight for Equity Continues
Now a mother, Saujani founded Moms First, advocating for better workplace policies for mothers. Meghan was an early supporter. Saujani’s resilience shines through her philosophy:
“You lose, you lose, you lose, and then you win. We’re here to keep hope alive.”
Confessions of a Female Founder has quickly risen to #1 on Apple’s business podcast charts, surpassing shows like The Prof G Pod. The series spotlights women’s entrepreneurial journeys—raw, unfiltered, and relentlessly inspiring.
Editor’s Note: Updated to clarify Saujani’s 2019 meeting with Meghan and the name of Scott Galloway’s podcast.
📚 Featured Products & Recommendations
Discover our carefully selected products that complement this article’s topics:
🛍️ Featured Product 1: “Hawthaw Women Sleeveless Bodycon Basic Club Vacation Romper Playsuit 2024 Summer Clothes Wholesale Items For Business P3211877A
Image: Premium product showcase
High-quality “hawthaw women sleeveless bodycon basic club vacation romper playsuit 2024 summer clothes wholesale items for business p3211877a offering outstanding features and dependable results for various applications.
Key Features:
- Premium materials and construction
- User-friendly design and operation
- Reliable performance in various conditions
- Comprehensive quality assurance
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
🛍️ Featured Product 2: 0 Hour Whisky 750ml
Image: Premium product showcase
Advanced 0 hour whisky 750ml engineered for excellence with proven reliability and outstanding results.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading performance metrics
- Versatile application capabilities
- Robust build quality and materials
- Satisfaction guarantee and warranty
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
💡 Need Help Choosing? Contact our expert team for personalized product recommendations!
