Meet our talented and dedicated Advisory Board

I have a diverse background which spans executive support, operations, and program management across the tech, nonprofit, and public sectors. My career has focused on supporting leaders, strengthening organizations, and advancing mission-driven initiatives through a blend of strategic coordination, stakeholder management, and service-oriented support. Each of my roles, past and present, reflect my commitment to operational excellence, collaboration, and community impact. As an eight-time Tech2Empower volunteer Advisor, I am honored to step into the role of Advisory Board Secretary for WAKE. It is a privilege to join this incredible team of women who are committed to advancing equity, equality, and social justice for women and girls around the world. I hope to bring my practical, community-focused perspective to the Advisory Board. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, spending time at the beach with my husband, AJ, and traveling the world whenever I have an opportunity.

I'm a global communications lead at McKinsey & Company, where I develop marketing strategies, campaigns, and experiences at the intersection of creativity, customer insight, and technology to captivate audiences and generate value. For over a decade, I've led transformational engagements across sectors in-house, at ad agencies, and as a consultant in North America and Asia, specializing in content strategy, communications planning, and emerging martech. I learned about WAKE in 2023 and was energized by the chance to use my professional skills to drive change in the world and advance social justice. Since then, I've supported nonprofits and social enterprises at Tech2Empower programs in Trinidad & Tobago, the Bay Area, and Lithuania. What started as a week-long volunteering experience has grown into lasting friendships and a deep professional network that spans continents. Beyond WAKE, I mentor women in STEM globally and guest lecture to the next generation of marketing professionals at the undergraduate and graduate levels. I earned an MBA from Boston University and dual degrees from The Ohio State University. Based in Chicago, I love cooking, live music, cycling, making art, reading fiction, and travel.

I am thrilled to serve as Co-Chair of the WAKE Advisory Board. As a feminist and an advocate for diversity in tech, I'm deeply committed to the mission of WAKE to harness the power of technology to advance equality, equity, and social justice. Working together we can create a more just and compassionate world, and I'm honored to bring my professional skills to support these efforts.

Beyond WAKE, I am the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Technology at Salesforce, responsible for engineering and business operations across the global technology and products organization. I am a founding member and executive sponsor of the Salesforce Women's Network, have served as a mentor and judge for the Technovation Challenge, a member of the IT Advisory Board for Room to Read, and a regular San Francisco Marin Food Bank volunteer. Previously, I served as a mentor for TechWomen, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State created under Secretary Clinton. I studied chemical engineering and linguistics, and hold a B.S. and M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and gardening -- with my husband, daughter, and friends.

Beth Kanter is an internationally recognized thought leader and trainer in AI skilling and well-being in the nonprofit workplace. She is the co-author of the award-winning Happy Healthy Nonprofit: Impact without Burnout and co-author with Allison Fine of The Smart Nonprofit. Named one of the most influential women in technology by Fast Company and recipient of the NTEN Lifetime Achievement Award, she has over three decades of experience in designing and delivering training programs for nonprofits and foundations. As a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader, she has presented at nonprofit conferences around the world to thousands of nonprofits. Learn more about Beth at www.bethkanter.org.

For nearly 30 years, I've worked at the intersection of women's leadership, technology, and social justice, designing and leading global programs that have reached tens of thousands of women across 30+ countries. I co-founded WAKE in 2015 to connect women leading change in their communities with cutting edge tools, expanded networks, and technology. From 2022-2025, I served as Advisory Board Chair and Co-Chair, transforming an inactive structure into a functioning board. Prior to WAKE, I was founding director of TechWomen, Secretary Clinton's State Department initiative that has connected nearly 1,600 emerging women leaders in STEM with Silicon Valley mentors. I also designed several multi-country programs supporting women's NGOs and community organizations addressing gender-based violence, economic empowerment, and girls' education. Today, I focus on sustainable leadership for mission-driven professionals, as founder of ConvergeWell. Through coaching, workshops, and facilitation, I support leaders and organizations in building the sustainable practices and systems necessary to advance their important work, and care for themselves, over the long term. I hold master's degrees in Integrative Health and in International Policy, and am a certified coach (ICF-ACC, NBC-HWC) and guided meditation facilitator.

I am a data visualization expert who currently leads reporting at a hospitality tech company, specializing in building insightful Tableau dashboards. I love how data visualization is the perfect combination of math, art, and technology - and helps communicate ideas more effectively than a single spreadsheet or slide. My passion is for helping others make sense of data, and I do this through data enablement internally, and volunteering for organizations like WAKE externally. I love elevating women with their technical skills, and have presented at conferences and participated in programs that allow me to teach effective data communication. I love to travel, and I have visited all the wonders of the world. I spend most of my free time reading or trying to be creative through crafts. I studied information systems and analytics at The University of Texas at Dallas, and currently live in California with my daughter, husband, and two cats.

Award-winning entertainment and tech executive with over 15 years of experience transforming brand narratives into high-impact global campaigns. Currently leading Brand and Reputation Marketing at YouTube, I specialize in navigating complex market landscapes and launching creative consumer campaigns that drive impact, engagement, and fandom.A true pioneer in the creator economy, I architected some of the industry's first influencer marketing programs for Microsoft and Visa—laying the groundwork for today's multi-billion dollar landscape. My commitment to excellence is currently recognized through my selection as a Scholar at The Marketing Academy, a global program developing the next generation of CMOs.

Beyond the office, I am dedicated to fostering equity and innovation: Long-serving advisor for the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund and currently advising WAKE, supporting women entrepreneurs globally.I enjoy being an angel investor and mentor dedicated to empowering young women.I remain close to my community through service opportunities both local and global in reach, highlighted by recent work in Rwanda with WAKE. Rwanda was truly my highlight of 2025 and I look forward to doing so much more in the years to come.

As a Los Angeles native now based in New York City, I am a lifelong learner and lover of the arts. When I'm not scaling brands, you can find me on the tennis court, practicing Pilates, traveling, or exploring NYC's vibrant culinary and music scenes.

I work at the intersection of design, storytelling, and technology, partnering with small businesses and nonprofit organizations to help them communicate more clearly and operate more effectively. My professional background spans branding, messaging, presentations, marketing strategy, and the thoughtful use of digital tools, including AI, to build systems that reduce complexity and support strong leadership. I'm particularly passionate about demystifying technology and making it accessible, practical, and aligned with an organization's mission and values. I'm drawn to work that centers people, purpose, and long-term impact. I believe clear communication and well-designed systems are not "nice to have," but essential tools that allow leaders to focus on the work that matters most.

My involvement with WAKE has been one of the most meaningful parts of my professional journey. I've participated in programs in Rwanda and twice in Lithuania, partnering with women-led organizations doing extraordinary work in challenging circumstances. I remain in close contact with all of the organizations I've worked with and continue to learn from their resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication to their communities. At a time when the news often feels increasingly negative and overwhelming, these relationships are a powerful reminder of what is possible when women are supported with the right tools, networks, and opportunities. Serving on the WAKE board allows me to contribute my skills while staying connected to the hope, humanity, and impact that first drew me to the organization.

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Kanika Raney is an HR consultant, global speaker, and international bestselling author with more than 20 years of experience helping people and organizations grow with intention and impact. Her career spans senior HR and talent leadership roles at companies including Google, Capital One, Lockheed Martin, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.Throughout her career, Kanika has led and developed high-performing, globally distributed teams and partnered with leaders across regions to navigate moments of growth, change, and complexity. Her work centers on supporting organizations as they build inclusive teams, develop thoughtful leaders, and create environments where individuals can do their best work.

In 2023, Kanika founded Thrive Ever After® LLC, a boutique HR consulting firm rooted in the belief that when people feel seen, supported, and empowered, both individuals and organizations thrive. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping leaders and organizations align people, culture, and strategy to drive growth and lasting impact.

A distinguished NASA Scholar from Spelman College, Kanika earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. She is deeply engaged in community and service, contributing her leadership to organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., Posse DC, and WAKE International.

Kanika embodies the spirit of turning ordinary into extraordinary, forging meaningful connections, and guiding others toward triumphant careers and lives. As Co-Chair of the WAKE International Advisory Board, she is honored to help advance WAKE's commitment to empowering mission-driven social enterprises around the world.

I am a Learning & Development leader at Google Cloud with over 15 years of experience specializing in technical education for AI, Machine Learning, and Cloud. My journey began in the classroom as a teacher, a foundation that instilled in me a lifelong belief in the power of impactful learning. Having lived and worked in Europe for 11 years, I bring a global perspective to my work, shaped by my time at organizations like AWS, Starbucks, and Cornerstone. Throughout my career, I have focused on a singular mission: building engaging learning experiences that drive meaningful behavioral change. At Google Cloud, I transform complex, evolving technologies into accessible, hands-on opportunities for millions of learners worldwide.

As a board member for WAKE, I am honored to leverage my background in scaling global programs to empower women in tech and leadership. I am dedicated to ensuring that women everywhere have the skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world. When I'm not focused on the future of tech, you can find me scaling mountains, navigating the open waters of the Pacific Northwest, or perfecting my tennis backhand. My passion for adventure inspires me to foster collaboration in all I do, with one simple goal: to leave this world better than I found it.

Krishna is an impact-driven leader with experience spanning accounting, philanthropy, community development, and economic research, grounded in a deep commitment to systems-level change. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California and an Executive MSc in Social Business and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics, where she focused on inclusive growth, social enterprise, and designing interventions for complex social systems. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, auditing technology and private companies, before pivoting into mission-driven work following her involvement with an education and poverty alleviation philanthropy that supported the construction of a primary school in Senegal. Krishna went on to work at Pacific Community Ventures, a community development financial institution advancing economic, racial, and gender justice, where she supported entrepreneurs and strengthened financial products to help build resilient, equitable local economies.

Krishna currently works in economic and regulatory data at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, contributing analytical insight to better understand market dynamics, community outcomes, and long-term economic resilience. In parallel, Krishna engages in creative and advisory work that advances systems change rooted in authenticity‚ supporting values-aligned enterprises and cultural initiatives that challenge traditional power structures, elevate underrepresented voices, and integrate purpose with practice.

Krishna has participated in four international WAKE Tech2Empower trips and one local engagement in San Francisco so far and counting. For her, WAKE represents an ecosystem of purpose-aligned leaders committed to meaningful connection and long-term systems change.

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Mitalee is a global technology executive with more than two decades of experience scaling engineering, AI, and infrastructure organizations across Fortune 100 companies including Amazon, Google, Cisco, Oracle, and NetApp. She enjoys driving enterprise growth and customer impact through innovation and strategic oversight—delivering measurable impact in revenue, productivity, and cost efficiency. She currently serves as Director of Engineering at Amazon where she leads global networking and connectivity infrastructure that powers 100K+ Amazon services worldwide. Mitalee holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University and a B.E. in Computer Engineering from University of Pune. Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Mitalee has been a Bay Area resident for over two decades. Married with two daughters who are in middle and high school, she is passionate about education and social justice, and growing the next generation of women leaders. This led her to WAKE, initially as an advisor and now in her second term as Advisory Board member where she hopes to foster a thriving community of social impact non-profits that are advancing important causes and women rights.

I am passionate about driving social impact through technology and advocating for women in tech. I have served on WAKE's Advisory Board since its inception, including as Board Co-Chair in 2024–25. I've also participated in multiple Tech2Empower USA programs as well as the Cambodia delegation - experiences that reinforced my belief in the power of technology, partnership, and volunteerism to scale social impact.I currently serve as a Product Lead at Uber Freight, where I lead platform and shipper-facing products that help modernize the global supply chain. Previously, I built website and productivity solutions for small and medium businesses at GoDaddy. Earlier in my career, I managed U.S. State Department–sponsored, technology-driven empowerment programs in the MENA region at the Institute of International Education and was part of the founding team of TechWomen.

Across my career, I have been a strong advocate for women in technology. I serve on the global board of Women@Uber and previously co-chaired the Women's ERG at GoDaddy, mentoring women on leadership, career growth, and unconventional pathways in tech.

I hold an MBA from Kellogg and an MPA from Harvard. Originally from New Delhi, India, I spent over six years studying and working in Japan and have traveled to more than 50 countries. I now live in San Francisco and enjoy exploring the world with my family.

Taghrid Samak is a scientist with broad experience in Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Machine Learning and Networking. She is currently an engineering manager at Meta, leading a team of data scientists and engineers working on advanced analytics that enable network infrastructure growth. Before Meta, she was an engineering manager and technical lead at Google working on various areas of capacity forecasting and network analytics, while also leading multiple DEI efforts. Taghrid started her career as a postdoc then a research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, applying data analysis and machine learning to enable cross-discipline scientific discovery. Taghrid's favorite activity is learning; she holds a PhD in computer science from DePaul University in Chicago, BSc and MSc in computer science from Alexandria University in Egypt (where she grew up), and most recently JD from the University of San Francisco School of Law. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, reading, and volunteering with various non-profits.

I am a global growth engineering lead passionate about the power tech has to lift people up. I spent six years on LinkedIn's Growth team, driving efforts across SEO, acquisition, and conversion, before now leading top-of-funnel efforts at Reddit. I am passionate about the power technology has to connect us and lift us up, and have led workshops, talks, and events across diverse communities to demystify technology and empower my audiences. I have a passion for social impact, particularly women in tech and how tech can‚ and must‚ be a lever for social good.

Originally from New York, I studied abroad in France, spent six years in San Francisco, and recently relocated to London. This love of travel, passion for social impact, and commitment to building inclusive tech communities led me to meet and join WAKE in 2021. Since then, I've participated in five Tech2Empower programs (U.S., Nepal, the Caribbean, for Ukraine, and Rwanda) and am now proud to be serving on its advisory board. I am a graduate of the University of Rochester, with a dual degree in Computer Science and Brain & Cognitive Sciences and minors in Psychology and French.

Tatev Papikyan, a passionate advocate for STEM education, embarked on a transformative journey with the Tech2Empower trip to Nepal in 2023. This experience marked a pivotal point, fostering deep connections with both advisors and advisees, instilling in Tatev a profound sense of purpose. Originally from Armenia, Tatev Papikyan relocated to the United States at the age of 16. She earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and pursued her master's at Columbia University. Commencing her career as a Data Scientist with Fortune 500 companies, Tatev later transitioned to Amazon Prime Video, where she excelled as the Analytics Manager. Her innate passion for storytelling through data led her to Amazon Advertising, focusing on strategic initiatives. Currently serving as the Global Strategy Lead at Google, Tatev plays a crucial role in supporting Privacy Sandbox, one of the key products. Beyond her professional achievements, Tatev remains dedicated to fostering education and empowering young women in STEM fields. Her commitment extends to her role on the WAKE board, where she eagerly anticipates contributing to the expansion and enrichment of the program's reach and impact.

Hello, I'm Yesenia. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in NYC, I am a transformational leader and wellness coach dedicated to helping individuals redefine success and live more balanced lives. My 22-year career in media, with leadership roles at companies like NBCUniversal, Hulu, Google, and iHeartMedia, gave me a deep, internal knowledge of the corporate world. However, a personal battle with burnout in 2018 fundamentally reshaped my definition of success: I now believe well-being is paramount to a fulfilling career and life.

Two years ago, I took a leap of faith, transitioning out of the corporate world to fully lean into my purpose. Today, I am the founder of Mujeres Create Ventures, a Certified Ayurveda Wellness Coach, and a Certified Sound Meditation Practitioner. I also host the empowerment podcast, Mujeres Create, where I explore the intersection of womanhood and creativity.

I have been involved with WAKE since 2019, when I joined my first Tech2Empower cohort in Guatemala. Since then, my work with WAKE has taken me to Rwanda and Cambodia, and I am honored to be returning to Guatemala next month. I feel a deep alignment with WAKE's mission to amplify women leaders. While they lead social change on a global scale, my mission is to provide women and people of all backgrounds with the wellness tools that allow their highest visions to come alive.