The Future Built by Women

1Tech for Good

I RECALL THE moment that sparked my interest in technology with vivid clarity. My eyes were glued to the screen as I watched a team set up technology centers in developing countries, teaching women to code and offering them a newfound sense of freedom. This was not a documentary or an inspirational feature; it was a video my husband was showing me about the new initiatives at his company, Microsoft. For the first time, I was confronted with the idea that technology could be used as a force for good, and it radically changed my perspective.

Growing up as the daughter of a preacher and a teacher, my career path had always seemed clear. I was raised to value service and servant leadership, so I naturally gravitated toward roles in teaching or nonprofit work. After graduating college, I served as a missionary for the United Methodist Church's US-2 Missionary program, later transitioning into nonprofit management.

Until the moment I saw that video, I had believed that service-focused professions were the only avenues to bring about positive change in the world. However, that video challenged my preconceptions. I saw a tech company using technology not merely for its own advancement, but to make a tangible difference in people's lives.

At that time, I was feeling rather burnt out from nonprofit work and was seeking a new direction. Ironically, I was in grad school pursuing a master's in social work, but I was frustrated by the requirement of unpaid internships and ...