Reshma Saujani – Founder & CEO of Moms First
Professional Background
Reshma Saujani is an accomplished activist, lawyer, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of Moms First, formerly known as Marshall Plan for Moms. Saujani has over a decade of experience in building movements focused on women's and girls' economic empowerment, specifically targeting gender equality in the tech sector.
Previous Roles:
1. Founder of Girls Who Code:
- Saujani established Girls Who Code in 2012 to close the gender gap in technology by teaching millions of girls to code. This initiative has gained significant recognition, having been pivotal in educating and empowering young women in the tech industry.
- Accolades: Listed in Fortune’s 40 Under 40.
2. Political and Legal Career:
- Saujani has an extensive background in law, having worked at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP defending securities fraud cases and on a pro bono basis handled asylum cases.
- Served on the National Finance Board for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign.
- In 2009, she became the first Indian-American woman to run for the U.S. Congress.
- Ran as a Democratic candidate for Public Advocate in New York in 2013.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Science: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Majors: Political Science and Speech Communication).
- Master of Public Policy: John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
- Juris Doctor: Yale Law School.
Current Role at Moms First
Moms First aims to advocate for policies that support mothers in the workplace and at home, focusing on three critical areas:
1. Workplaces: Pushing for workplace transformations to accommodate the needs of mothers.
2. Community Engagement: Mobilizing a grassroots community of moms and supporters to take action at multiple levels.
3. Cultural Shift: Changing societal conversations about the value and investments in mothers to enhance gender equality.
Key Initiative:
- PaidLeave.ai: A generative AI tool introduced to help mothers-to-be apply for paid leave benefits, showcasing Saujani's commitment to leveraging technology to support gender equality and parental benefits.
Notable Achievements and Recognition
- Saujani's leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in the successful launch and growth of Girls Who Code, credited with raising over $100 million to support women in technology.
- Books:
- "Women Who Don't Wait in Line: Break the Mold, Lead the Way" (2013)
- "Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World" (2017)
- "Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder" (2018)
- "Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think)" (March 2022)
Personal Information
- Born: November 18, 1975, in Illinois, USA.
- Family Background: Of Gujarati Indian descent, with parents who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in the 1970s.
- Residence: New York City.
- Family: Married to Nihal Mehta, co-founder of ad tech startup LocalResponse and a partner at Eniac Ventures. They have two children, Shaan and Sai.
Conclusion
Reshma Saujani’s extensive experience, from founding transformative movements like Girls Who Code to advocating for mother-centric policies through Moms First, positions her as a formidable advocate for gender equality and mothers' rights. Her legal and political acumen, backed by a robust educational foundation, underscores her capacity to drive systemic change in the workforce and society at large.
Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-saujani
Organizational Information: https://momsfirst.us
Markdown Annotations:
- Bold: For crucial titles and achievements.
- Italic: For notable publications and specific funds or initiatives.
- Key Financial Figures: Highlighting funds raised and budgetary aspects.
This detailed and data-driven report provides comprehensive professional insights into Reshma Saujani's profile, emphasizing her significant contributions and ongoing advocacy efforts.
