KEYNOTE: The Marshall Plan for Moms with Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code

The US is the only OECD country that does not offer nationwide paid maternity leave for at least 12 weeks. Read that again. Instead of social safety nets, America has moms, and this has led to unequal opportunity and economic power for women. Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code, would like to change that. In this talk, she will illustrate how mothers have been affected by the pandemic, how parental leave policies can be more equitable and inclusive, and what she’s doing about it through her movement, The Marshall Plan for Moms.

Reshma Saujani

Bridget Finkeldey

Reshma Saujani is a leading activist and the founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms. She is the author of the forthcoming book PAY UP. Reshma has spent more than a decade building movements to fight for women and girls’ economic empowerment, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector, and most recently advocating for policies to support moms impacted by the pandemic. Reshma is also the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect, and her influential TED talk, “Teach girls, bravery not perfection,” has more than five million views globally. Reshma began her career as an attorney and Democratic organizer. In 2010, she surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. Reshma lives in New York City with her husband, Nihal, their sons, Shaan and Sai, and their bulldog, Stanley

Lauren Hagerty (She/ Her)

Bridget Finkeldey

I'm a passionate community builder looking to forge meaningful connections between humans and brands making a difference.