Reshma Saujani
Born 1975 · Age 50
American lawyer, politician, nonprofit founder and activist; founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First; author and public speaker focused on closing the gender gap in tech and economic empowerment for women and mothers.
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Life & Career Timeline
Parents expelled from Uganda (family background)
Saujani's parents were expelled from Uganda in the early 1970s under Idi Amin's regime and later settled in Chicago — a family history that shaped her outlook.
Born in Chicago, Illinois
Reshma Saujani was born in Chicago. She is of Gujarati Indian descent; her parents had fled Uganda after the 1972 expulsion of Asians under Idi Amin.
Founded PRISM in high school
As a freshman in public high school she started PRISM (Prejudice Reduction Interested Students Movement), an early activism experience she called a defining moment.
Graduated University of Illinois (BS)
Earned a bachelor’s degree (majors in Political Science and Speech Communication) from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Earned Master of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School
Completed an MPP at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Juris Doctor from Yale Law School
Received a JD from Yale Law School, launching her legal career.
Joined Davis Polk & Wardwell (law firm)
Worked as an attorney defending securities fraud cases and handled pro bono asylum cases while at Davis Polk & Wardwell.
Founded 'South Asians for Kerry'
Organized South Asian outreach during the 2004 U.S. presidential election by founding 'South Asians for Kerry'.
Joined Carret Asset Management
Left law firm work to join Carret Asset Management and transition toward finance roles.
Joined Blue Wave Partners (Carlyle subsidiary) as associate general counsel
Served as associate general counsel at Blue Wave Partners Management, an equity multi-strategy hedge fund affiliated with Carlyle.
Blue Wave Partners closed after 2008 market collapse
Blue Wave (the Carlyle-affiliated fund) closed in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis; Saujani was previously an associate general counsel there.
National Finance Board for Hillary Clinton & DNC role
Served on Hillary Clinton's National Finance Board and was named vice-chair of the New York delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Q4 2009 fundraising surge (outraised Maloney)
In the last quarter of 2009 Saujani outraised incumbent Carolyn Maloney by almost 2-to-1 as part of her 2010 House campaign fundraising.
Announced challenge to Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Public announcement that she would challenge incumbent Carolyn Maloney for New York's 14th Congressional District (first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress).
Campaign expenditure milestone
Saujani's 2010 congressional campaign spent approximately $1.3 million in the Democratic primary race against Maloney.
High-profile endorsements during 2010 campaign
Received support from technology figures including Jack Dorsey, Randi Zuckerberg, Alexis Maybank, and Chris Hughes during her run for Congress.
First political campaign to use Square for donations
Saujani's 2010 campaign was notable for being the first political campaign to use Square mobile payments at fundraisers.
Lost Democratic primary to Carolyn Maloney
Maloney won the Democratic primary with 81% of the vote to Saujani's 19%; Saujani received 6,231 votes. Her campaign expended ~$1.3M (~$213 per vote).
Served as Deputy Public Advocate (NYC)
Role in New York City Public Advocate's office where she created partnerships to support DREAMers and advance campaign finance reform (hired Jan 2011; left in 2012).
Hired at New York City Public Advocate's office
After the 2010 campaign, Saujani was hired at the New York City Public Advocate's office (served as deputy public advocate).
Named to City & State '40 Under 40'
Recognized as an influential young figure in New York City politics by City & State magazine's '40 under 40' list.
Girls Who Code launch day (public program start)
Public launch/press coverage (New York Times coverage June 2012) of the Girls Who Code initiative and programs.
Left Public Advocate's office to explore runs & activism
Stepped away from the Public Advocate's office in early 2012 to explore other opportunities including potential runs and launching initiatives.
Founded Girls Who Code
Launched Girls Who Code, a nonprofit to close the gender gap in technology after noticing the scarcity of girls in computing classes while campaigning.
Ran for New York Public Advocate (Democratic primary)
Campaigned for New York City Public Advocate and finished third in the Democratic primary; Michael Blake was her campaign manager.
Wikipedia editing controversy
Campaign employees heavily edited Saujani's Wikipedia page to remove/alter references to her Wall Street work; the campaign admitted involvement.
Published 'Women Who Don't Wait in Line'
Released her first book, Women Who Don't Wait in Line: Break the Mold, Lead the Way (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), reflecting on ambition and leadership.
Girls Who Code early growth & alumni outcomes
Early results showed that Girls Who Code alumni were pursuing computer science at rates well above the national average (organization-reported outcome).
Included on multiple 'rising' lists and profiles
By 2015 Saujani was profiled widely including Fortune 40 Under 40 and other recognitions that elevated Girls Who Code fundraising and partnerships.
Named to Fortune's '40 Under 40'
Recognized by Fortune magazine in their 40 Under 40 list following the growth of Girls Who Code.
IRS Form 990: Girls Who Code CEO salary disclosed
IRS filings show Saujani collected $224,913 in salary from Girls Who Code in 2015.
Appearances and media contributions
Contributed to publications and appeared on TV/new media (Huffington Post, WNYC, NY1, MSNBC, FOX, CNBC, The Daily Show), raising public profile for Girls Who Code and women's issues.
TED Talk: 'Teach girls bravery, not perfection'
Delivered a TED Talk focusing on encouraging girls to be brave and learn to program; the talk became widely viewed and cited.
Multiple media and speaking engagements (national)
Regular national media appearances and speaking engagements (including major conferences and TV shows) amplified advocacy and fundraising reach.
Executive judge at The Webbys
Served as an Executive Judge for the Webby Awards, reflecting her role in tech and digital engagement.
Published 'Girls Who Code' (book for youth)
Authored the illustrated book Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World, aimed at inspiring young women to build tech projects.
Published 'Brave, Not Perfect' and launched companion podcast
Published Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder and launched a companion podcast 'Brave, Not Perfect' (podcast launch recorded Feb 2018).
Launched 'Brave, Not Perfect' podcast
Companion podcast to the book 'Brave, Not Perfect' launched in Feb 2018; guests have included high-profile political and cultural figures.
Podcast guests included Jill Biden and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (later guests)
The 'Brave, Not Perfect' podcast has hosted prominent guests, boosting reach for Saujani's messaging on women’s empowerment (guest list expanded over time).
Girls Who Code Cannes Lions & Clio-winning campaigns (milestone)
Girls Who Code has produced award-winning awareness campaigns recognized at Cannes Lions and the Clio Awards (organization cited as award-winning in later bios).
Girls Who Code: 'Most Innovative Non-Profit' (Fast Company)
Girls Who Code was awarded 'Most Innovative Non-Profit' by Fast Company, recognizing organizational impact in education and tech.
Girls Who Code reaches ~90,000 girls (milestone)
By 2019 Girls Who Code reported reaching roughly 90,000 girls across its programs (organization continued to grow thereafter).
Girls Who Code reaches large digital engagements (organization milestone)
Reshma's bio states the organization reached billions of engagements through its book series and campaigns (14.6 billion engagements reported on her page).
Girls Who Code recognized by major business & tech lists
Saujani and Girls Who Code were highlighted across lists and outlets (Fortune, Fast Company, Forbes, TIME, WSJ Magazine) for impact and innovation.
Girls Who Code book series becomes New York Times-bestselling (organization milestone)
The Girls Who Code illustrated/educational book series became a New York Times bestseller according to Saujani's organizational biography.
Served / serves on multiple boards and advisory roles (mParticle, TechNYC, IRC, Harvard, Economic Club)
Saujani's bio lists board memberships and advisory roles including mParticle, TechNYC, International Rescue Committee, Harvard Board of Overseers, Economic Club of NY, and Interfaith Alliance.
Launched the 'Marshall Plan for Moms' movement (Moms First genesis)
In response to COVID-19's disproportionate impact on mothers, Saujani launched the grassroots Marshall Plan for Moms (later Moms First) to advocate for supports for moms.
Instrumental in creation of NYC Marshall Plan for Moms Task Force
Played a key advocacy role in pushing for municipal policy efforts to support mothers, culminating in a NYC task force focused on mothers' economic recovery.
Moms First grassroots movement surpasses 1 million supporters (organization milestone)
Moms First (formerly Marshall Plan for Moms) grew to an estimated over one million moms and supporters and attracted celebrity and organizational backers.
Placed ads calling on Biden to support Marshall Plan for Moms
Published advertisements in The New York Times and The Washington Post (Jan 2021) urging the Biden administration to back the 'Marshall Plan for Moms' resolution and relief for working mothers.
Ended nine-year tenure as CEO of Girls Who Code
After nine years as CEO (2012–2021), Saujani transitioned from day-to-day CEO responsibilities while remaining on the board.
Worked with Congress & NYC on 'Marshall Plan for Moms' legislation and task force
Collaborated with House and Senate leaders to introduce Marshall Plan for Moms legislation and helped create NYC's Marshall Plan for Moms Task Force.
Published 'Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work'
Released Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (March 2022), focusing on policy and economic solutions for women and families.
Co-chair, WEF Global Futures Council on Future of Care Economy
Named co-chair of the World Economic Forum's first Global Futures Council on the Future of Care Economy (Reshma's biography lists this leadership role).
Launched PaidLeave.ai with Moms First
Released PaidLeave.ai, a tool to help parents more easily access paid leave benefits, as part of Moms First / Marshall Plan for Moms work.
Smith College commencement speech goes viral
Her 2023 Smith College commencement speech on imposter syndrome amassed more than 18 million views, amplifying her public profile.
TED Talk view milestone
Her TED talk 'Teach girls bravery, not perfection' reached an estimated 54 million views globally (organization-sourced figure reported on her bio page).
Public net worth estimate
Media profile (BusinessWomen, 2024) estimates Reshma Saujani's net worth between $1 million and $5 million.
Key Achievement Ages
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