Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birthNovember 18, 1975
BirthplaceIllinois, U.S.A.
ProfessionPolitician, American Lawyer, Activist
NationalityAmerican
Marital statusMarried
SpouseNihal Mehta
FamilySon - Shaan; Sister - Keshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani Biography
Reshma Saujani is an American lawyer, politician, and activist best known as the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. A former candidate for public office, a
Early life and backgroundReshma Saujani was born on November 18, 1975, in Illinois, United States. She is of Gujarati Indian descent; her parents had lived in Uganda before settling in Chicago. Saujani grew up in a family shaped by immigrant experience and went on to pursue an education in political science and public policy before earning a law degree.
Saujani completed undergraduate studies in political science in 1997 and earned a Master of Public Policy in 1999. She later received a Juris Doctor in 2002. Her training prepared her for work in law, finance, and public service.
Career
After law school, Saujani worked at several law and finance firms, including Davis Polk & Wardwell and multiple asset-management firms. She moved between legal practice and finance while building credentials that would support later public and nonprofit work.
Saujani entered political organizing early in her public life. In 2004 she founded South Asians for Kerry during that year’s presidential campaign. She served on the National Finance Board for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign and was named vice-chair of the New York delegation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Saujani later served as Deputy Public Advocate for New York City in 2013 and also ran for Congress and other public offices.
Her experience on the campaign trail and in public service led her to confront inequities in technology education. While campaigning for New York City Public Advocate, she observed that public-school computer labs were often dominated by boys. Although she did not come from a technology background, she shifted her focus from law and politics to build a movement around teaching girls to code.
Saujani founded Girls Who Code to teach and empower girls from sixth through twelfth grade with computer science skills and practical experience. The program places girls in small groups that meet regularly to work on real-world projects such as app and game development. Participants are provided with individual computers and internet access, and volunteer instructors lead sessions at host sites supported by community partners. By April 2018, Girls Who Code had reached more than 90,000 girls across all 50 states and several U.S. territories.
In addition to running Girls Who Code, Saujani has spoken widely about how culture and upbringing shape girls’ willingness to take risks. Her TED talk, “Teach girls, bravery not perfection,” has been viewed millions of times and helped spark a national conversation about the messages girls receive about ambition and failure.
Public profile
Saujani has been recognized by numerous publications and organizations for her leadership and innovation. Honors and listings include Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leaders and Fortune’s 40 Under 40, recognition from The Wall Street Journal Magazine as an innovator of the year, and spots on lists such as Forbes’s Most Powerful Women Changing the World and Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People. New York–focused outlets and industry lists have likewise acknowledged her impact.
She is also an author. Her books include Women Who Don’t Wait in Line and Lead the Way, both published in 2013, and Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World, published in 2017.
Personal life
Reshma Saujani is married to tech entrepreneur Nihal Mehta; the couple wed on May 27, 2013. They have a son, Shaan, and live in New York City with their bulldog. Saujani has spoken publicly about balancing family and work, and she has described family-first policies for her organization—encouraging staff to attend to personal needs and offering flexible arrangements such as a work-from-home option on Fridays.
Saujani has discussed health challenges in the context of family planning, and she has been open about the complications she faced before the birth of her son in 2015.
Latest updates
By 2018, Girls Who Code had expanded to serve girls in all 50 states and multiple U.S. territories, with tens of thousands of participants enrolled in programs that combine classroom time, mentorship, and hands-on projects.
Saujani continues to advocate for broader access to computer science education for girls and to promote a cultural shift toward encouraging bravery over perfection in young women.
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Recent Work
Authored guide to coding and tech careers for young women, published in 2017.
2017Book about women’s leadership and civic engagement, published in 2013.
2013Book focused on leadership, published in 2013.
2013Career Highlights
- Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code
- Served on the National Finance Board for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign
- Vice-Chair of the New York delegation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
- Deputy Public Advocate for New York City in 2013
- Named on multiple industry and leadership lists including Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Reshma Saujani born?
Reshma Saujani was born on November 18, 1975.
What is Reshma Saujani known for?
Reshma Saujani is known for politician, American Lawyer, Activist.
What is Reshma Saujani’s marital status?
Reshma Saujani's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Reshma Saujani married to?
Reshma Saujani is publicly listed as married to Nihal Mehta.
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