With a career dedicated to addressing inequities in education and helping young women of all backgrounds succeed, Dr. Tarika Barrett is at the forefront of expanding the pipeline of women entering tech and removing the obstacles that stand in the way of them reaching their full potential. As the CEO of Girls Who Code, an international non-profit organization disrupting the tech industry and transforming perceptions of what a programmer can look like, she spearheads initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in technology by inspiring, educating, and equipping young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Dr. Barrett is a STEM education champion who speaks passionately about fighting for equity, change, and diversity. She walks audiences through issues that cause disparities and hinder achievement in education and the workplace — especially for women of color. Driven by her experience growing up the daughter of a Jamaican mother who instilled in her the importance of education and mentorship, Dr. Barrett shares actionable steps for progressing organizational culture to create environments that are more representative, inclusive, and supportive of women and other diverse groups. Dr. Barrett joined Girls Who Code in 2016 and, in February 2021, was handpicked by founder Reshma Saujani to lead the organization’s movement into the future. As CEO, she is focused on creating greater opportunities for women in STEM fields and advancing toward the ambitious goal of closing the gender gap in new entry-level tech jobs by 2030.