Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, candidly shared her journey with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on the podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder.” During the conversation, Saujani noted, “If I had applied to be the CEO of Girls Who Code, I wouldn’t have gotten the job,” referencing her lack of coding experience and her academic background in political science and speech communications. Her only previous endeavor was an unsuccessful congressional campaign, where she made history as the first Indian-American to run for Congress in 2010.
Despite her initial challenges, Saujani successfully launched Girls Who Code, which has trained over 670,000 individuals in STEM fields, including young girls, women, and nonbinary people. The organization garnered support from influential figures in the tech sector, such as Jack Dorsey and Microsoft, and has persevered amid challenges faced by other groups in the tech community.
Saujani’s discussion with the Duchess explored themes of motherhood, the complexities of running a nonprofit, and the personal sacrifices that female founders often navigate. She highlighted the ongoing need for women to lead change, reflecting on the critical lessons learned throughout her entrepreneurial path.
The podcast has gained significant traction since its launch, currently ranking as the number one business podcast on Apple, surpassing popular shows like Scott Galloway’s “The Prof F Pod.” Meghan expressed her desire for the conversations in “Confessions of a Female Founder” to inspire others to consider social entrepreneurship.
During their talk, the duo shared insightful business advice, including the idea that seeking advice often leads to financial support. They also delved into vulnerability, as Saujani opened up about her personal struggles with miscarriages and health issues while managing her organization.
A crucial aspect of Saujani’s mission includes empowering women, especially in the context of the ongoing AI revolution, where women’s representation in tech is alarmingly low—only 22% globally within the AI workforce, and dropping at higher levels. Saujani emphasized the importance of providing young girls with the necessary tools to address future challenges in rapidly evolving fields like AI.
As a mother, she founded Moms First, advocating for improved working conditions for mothers, with Meghan being an early supporter of her cause. Saujani’s reflections are grounded in a profound commitment to ensuring that future generations of women enjoy rights and opportunities that she fought for, believing in the importance of perseverance: “You lose, you lose, you lose, and then you win.”