Reshma Saujani, the founder of the non-profit organization Girls Who Code, made a candid admission during a discussion with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on the podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder.” Saujani remarked that if she had applied to be the CEO of Girls Who Code, she would not have been hired for the position, citing her lack of coding experience, her academic background in political science and speech communications, and a failed congressional campaign as her primary accomplishments at that time. Saujani was notably the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress in 2010.
Despite her lack of technical expertise, Saujani successfully launched Girls Who Code, which has become one of the most recognized coding camps in the tech industry. The organization claims to have trained over 670,000 girls, women, and nonbinary individuals in STEM fields, receiving support from notable figures in the tech sector, such as Jack Dorsey and Microsoft. Girls Who Code continues to operate, while some similar organizations have struggled with the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in Silicon Valley.
During the podcast, Saujani and Meghan discussed various subjects, including Saujani’s experiences in founding the organization, her journey into motherhood, and her life after Girls Who Code. Saujani’s story highlights the often-hidden sacrifices made by female entrepreneurs as they focus on business leadership. The conversation emphasized Saujani’s determination as an entrepreneur to advocate for change.
Saujani expressed to TechCrunch that her conversation with Meghan was a full-circle moment, recalling their first meeting when Girls Who Code expanded to the UK in 2019. The podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder” aims to share insights from prominent women and offers business-building lessons. Since its launch, the podcast has experienced early success, currently ranking as the top business podcast on Apple, surpassing “The Prof F Pod” by Scott Galloway.
Meghan expressed hopes that the podcast would inspire others to explore social entrepreneurship. She described her dialogues throughout the series as enlightening, particularly in discussing how women can lead and succeed while navigating the challenges of motherhood with resilience.
The discussion between Meghan and Saujani also delved into practical business advice, such as the idea that seeking advice often leads to financial support. Additionally, Saujani shared personal struggles related to her role in the nonprofit, including her experiences with miscarriages and an autoimmune disorder, which contrasted with her public persona.
Saujani’s entrepreneurial journey underscores the importance of taking risks and persevering. She founded Girls Who Code in 2012 after recognizing the underrepresentation of young women, particularly women of color, in STEM careers. As a child of Indian immigrants, Saujani recalled how her experiences with bullying shaped her objectives and commitment to educating others about diversity.
Saujani highlighted the theme of investing in women, particularly as the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution gains momentum. Women constitute only 22% of the global AI workforce, with their representation declining in senior roles. Additionally, AI advancements pose unique threats to young women, such as the emergence of highly realistic deepfake videos. Girls Who Code has educated over 8,000 students about AI.
Saujani, now a mother, has also launched Moms First, an initiative advocating for improved working conditions for mothers, with Meghan being an early supporter. Saujani commented on the broader mission of maintaining hope for women’s rights, recognizing that setbacks often precede eventual victories.
