Reshma Saujani & Meghan Markle Discuss Business and Girls Who Code

Reshma Saujani on Leadership, Motherhood, and Building Girls Who Code

Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, openly discussed her initial qualifications – or lack thereof – for leading the organization.

During a conversation with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on the “Confessions of a Female Founder” podcast, Saujani admitted she wouldn’t have been selected as CEO based on her resume.

Early Career and the Genesis of Girls Who Code

Saujani explained that her academic background was in polyscience and speech communications, and her prior experience consisted of a unsuccessful congressional campaign. She was, however, the first Indian-American to run for Congress in 2010.

Despite her limited coding experience, she successfully launched Girls Who Code, which has since become a prominent coding camp for young women.

Girls Who Code has trained over 670,000 young girls, women, and nonbinary individuals in STEM fields. The organization has received support from influential figures like Jack Dorsey and Microsoft.

Themes of Entrepreneurship and Sacrifice

The interview with Meghan explored the challenges and sacrifices often faced by female founders, frequently kept private while they concentrate on business operations.

Saujani’s entrepreneurial drive to champion change was a central theme of the discussion.

Saujani shared that she initially connected with Meghan in 2019 while expanding Girls Who Code’s reach to the United Kingdom. She described the conversation as a “full-circle moment.”

The Podcast and its Impact

“Confessions of a Female Founder” aims to highlight the experiences of impactful women and share insights into building a successful business.

The podcast quickly gained traction, becoming the No. 1-ranked business podcast on Apple, surpassing “The Prof G Pod” by Scott Galloway.

Meghan expressed her hope that the conversation would inspire listeners to explore social entrepreneurship.

Advice and Intimate Revelations

The discussion touched upon valuable business advice, such as the notion that requesting advice often leads to offers of funding.

Meghan articulated this idea, stating that individuals are often willing to provide financial support if they believe in your vision.

Saujani also shared personal struggles, including dealing with miscarriages and an autoimmune disorder while leading the nonprofit.

She described the emotional toll of presenting a strong front while privately grappling with personal challenges.

Taking Risks and Championing Diversity

A key takeaway from Saujani’s journey is the importance of taking risks and persevering despite setbacks.

She founded Girls Who Code in 2012 after recognizing the underrepresentation of young women, particularly women of color, in STEM careers.

Saujani recounted experiences with bullying during her childhood and her efforts to assimilate into a predominantly white culture.

She emphasized the importance of acknowledging and celebrating diversity.

The Importance of Investing in Women

Saujani underscored the necessity of investing in women, particularly in the context of the evolving technological landscape.

Currently, women comprise only 22% of the global AI talent pool, with representation declining at higher seniority levels.

The rise of deepfake technology also poses unique threats to young women, highlighting the need for education and awareness. (Girls Who Code has already educated over 8,000 students about AI.)

Moms First and the Fight for Women’s Rights

Saujani subsequently launched Moms First, an advocacy organization dedicated to improving working conditions for mothers.

Meghan was identified as an early supporter of this initiative.

Saujani expressed concerns about the potential erosion of women’s rights and emphasized the importance of maintaining hope and continuing the fight for equality. She believes that perseverance, even through repeated setbacks, is crucial for achieving progress.

This story has been updated to reflect the year Saujani and Meghan first met and to correctly state the name of Scott Galloway’s podcast.