Meet our talented and dedicated Advisory Board

Over the last 15 years, I have discovered and deepened my passion for driving social impact through technology. This has led me to build solutions that impact peoples' lives through my work. I also advise nonprofits and mentor women on topics like leveraging technology to amplify their impact and unconventional career pathways in tech.   I am the Product Lead for Visibility and Execution at Uber Freight, where I lead cross-functional teams working on critical parts of our logistics platform. Prior to Uber, I spent over 6 years at GoDaddy building Website Builder and productivity solutions for Small and Medium Businesses. I'm grateful that I get to apply both my MBA (Kellogg) and MPA (Harvard) education in my work.    

Before pivoting to tech, I managed technology-driven empowerment programs sponsored by the US State Department in the MENA region at the Institute of International Education. I was on the founding team for the immensely successful mentoring and exchange program, TechWomen, and continue to be involved as a mentor. In fact, it was at IIE that I worked closely with the WAKE co-founders, who exemplified the power of well-run programs based on strong partnerships.   It is the desire to use technology to help social justice organizations scale and grow that has me rooting for WAKE and serving on its Board since its inception.    

Originally from New Delhi, India, I spent 6+ years studying and working in Japan before moving to San Francisco. Fluent in Japanese, Hindi and Oriya, I have traveled to over 50 countries and love exploring the world with my family.

I co-founded WAKE with a mission to connect women’s rights and social justice leaders and their organizations with allies, expertise and resources to help advance their critical work. I’m thrilled to work with this Advisory Board to continue to strengthen and expand WAKE, its programs and community.

Prior to WAKE, I was at the Institute of International Education (IIE), where I helped found its Center for Women’s Leadership Initiatives, and designed and led several of its large international women’s leadership programs, including as founding director of TechWomen, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State.

Now, as founder of ConvergeWell®, I support purpose-driven individuals to thrive personally and professionally while prioritizing their wellbeing. I blend my background in designing and leading capacity building and training for nonprofits, social entrepreneurs and women leaders with my expertise and credentials in integrative health, coaching and wellbeing practices and modalities, to provide impactful programs for individuals and organizations. Through evidence-based practices, facilitation, training and coaching, I guide individuals to cultivate resilience, manage energy and stress, and amplify their impact, while nurturing their wellbeing.

I hold master’s degrees in Integrative Health and in International Policy, and certifications in health and wellness coaching (NBC-HWC), immersive coaching, transformative imagery and guided meditation. I live in San Francisco with my husband, two teenage daughters, a dog, two cats and two bunnies and enjoy gardening, yoga, walks with friends, beading, reading and studying, podcasts, (coaching!) and caring for my houseplants.

With two decades of creative leadership experience, I specialize in design and branding for individuals, entrepreneurs, and diverse businesses. I take pride in crafting compelling brands that further the goals of my clients, including websites, social media templates, presentations, graphics, UX design, and marketing materials.  Driven by a passion for storytelling, I bring this focus to my designs for web and mobile platforms. Emphasizing clean lines, strategic white space, a pop of color, and a hint of cheeky humor (I am British, after all!) I collaborate with a diverse set of clients, from authors and artists to financiers, surfers, Fortune 500 companies, startups, non-profits and ad agencies.  

Believing in the uniqueness of every individual, brand, and company, I am dedicated to uncovering and communicating their authentic and distinctive stories. When I am not researching the latest design trends and technologies, I enjoy lively conversations over coffee or wine with my friends, hitting the California trails and beaches with my dog Skipper, and exploring the great outdoors on adventures with my family.

Jennie Easterbrook is a Managing Director at Accenture Song.  She is an experienced Digital & CRM marketer with more than 19 years working across U.S. and global brands.  Jennie is a Song Account Lead within the Consumer Goods & Retail industries and embodies a client-centric view of her work and her teams.  She is a strong advocate of rising talent and previously served as the NA lead for our Communications Song Development Program analysts.  Jennie believes in engaging content and co-hosted a podcast called the Consumer Goods & Services Trailblazers that brought our thought leaders and clients together on trending topics including DE&I, Future of Food, Data and Sustainability.  She is a passionate advocate and volunteer around girls education and women-led entrepreneurial initiatives.  She served on the NYC Board of Girls Leadership and is currently a Board Member and Global Advisor to the Women's Alliance for Knowledge Exchange.  Over the past 5.5 years, Jennie has been as active advisor for Peru, the U.S., and Nepal.  

Jennie is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Relations focused on economics, political science and the Korean language.  She is also a proud mom to two wonderful children, Pai and Tyler.

I've been a global technology leader with cross-functional leadership roles at top-tier companies for two decades. I'm fortunate to have worked with the best minds to launch products that improve consumer quality of life, make technology accessible and serve as a lifeline to small and medium businesses. I'm committed to driving equitable access to technology and education for women, children and those less privileged thereby creating pathways to a progressive and safe society . I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve on the WAKE Advisory Board and empower non profits to advance social justice with the aid of technology. Previously, I was a technical mentor and also served in the selection committee for the TechWomen initiative sponsored by US Department of State and IIE. Professionally, I lead engineering at Google Advertising to supercharge sales conversations  with generative AI-driven assistance to enable every user to attain their business objectives with Google Ads. Personally, I grew up in Pune, India and was born in a family of doctors and pharmaceutical manufacturers. My passion for technology led me to USA to pursue my Masters in Computer Science from Stanford University and I've put down my roots in the Bay Area since. I live with my husband and two accomplished daughters who inspire me to do my best every day. As a family, we love to travel the world and have several more countries to visit on our bucket list.

Beth Kanter is the co-author of four books for nonprofit leaders, her most recent is about AI, "The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human in an Automated World." She received NTEN Lifetime Achievement Award winner and has over three decades of experience working with nonprofit leaders.  She has delivered training to nonprofits and keynote talks globally on topics such as workplace wellbeing, disruptive technologies & mission-driven work, and the use of AI for productivity.  She consultants with nonprofits and philanthropic foundations. More about Beth at www.bethkanter.org

Renée is a change-provoking strategist with 25+ years of business transformation expertise. She uses her understanding of data and technology along with her passion for biodiversity to accomplish business objectives with a social impact view. Renée has worked for familiar public and private institutions including Hitachi, Oracle, SC Johnson, Microsoft, Philippines Government, and UCLA Business School.  Renée is an executive Advisor. Through her coaching, workshops and hands-on educational sessions she helps simplify the complexity between data economics, data ethics and AI/ML, focusing on creating competitive advantage while minimizing risk. Renée achieves desired results and uplifts the importance of data literacy to inspire others to join her in becoming Data Science Citizens.  Kōkua is the Hawaiian word used to describe Renée's spirit of kindness, cultural humility and desire to help one another. She pays-it-forward by stimulating the potential in others such that the person, the organization as well as the community all benefit. Renée has effectively guided teams across EMEA, Americas, LATAM, ASEAN and APAC. In challenging situations, she brings resilience and equanimity, getting the best out of individuals. Renée's super-power is her vehement commitment to the importance of diversity of thought to drive best solutions to global-local challenges.  Renée is an alumna of the University of Texas School of Management, holds a bachelor's degree in economics from UCLA and is recognized as a Japan Global Leadership Honoree – Hitachi Institute of Management as well as an Advisory Board Centre Chair & Technical Advisor.  Renée lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her 3 rescue dogs Asher, Oggie and Ellie.

I am thrilled to serve a second term on 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, agile, innovation, culture, and employee enablement for 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, and am a member of the IT Advisory Board for Room to Read. 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. Originally from the Midwest, I now call San Francisco home. I enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures, and have lived in Spain and the Philippines. In addition to local volunteer efforts, I have volunteered internationally in Tanzania, Cambodia, and Ireland. I also enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and gardening.

I am thrilled to serve on WAKE's Advisory Board. Now retired after a lengthy career as an international marketing professional in Silicon Valley's tech industry, I leverage my management experience by engaging in nonprofit work that supports my three main passions: 1) supporting women in STEM and helping organizations access the power of technology to amplify their work, 2) promoting the education and empowerment of girls in under-resourced areas, and 3) preserving the social, cultural, and economic importance of artisan craft. I have participated in multiple Tech2Empower programs in the US, Guatemala, Peru, and Lithuania (for Ukraine).  In addition to serving on WAKE's Advisory Board, I am also on the the Board of Weave a Real Peace (WARP), an organization committed to improving the lives of textile artisans worldwide, and manage the scholarship program for the Oliveseed Foundation, which sponsors highly motivated students (particularly young girls) from the Maasai Mara, Kenya, who would never be able to attend high school without financial help.  

I have an MBA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, speak four languages, and have lived in the Netherlands, Italy, and Guatemala. When not busy with my nonprofit work, I indulge as frequently as possible my love of travel and collecting textiles from far flung places.

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Jenna has been a consultant, facilitator, instructional designer, executive coach, consultant, and manager for over 30 years. She has led teams and been a practitioner at Hilton, Citi, Amazon, Google, and Roche, where she is currently a Global Organization Development Partner. Her educational background includes a Master's in Social Work (University of Pennsylvania) and certification in Hogan Assessments, PDI 360, Voices 360, MBTI, Firo-B, Stakeholder Centered Coaching, Immunity to Change, and the Leadership Circle Profile.  Jenna combines her personal passion for deep learning and making a positive impact on the world with her professional skills to enable others to reach their goals. She has been actively engaged as an Advisor with WAKE since 2018, working with women and girls in the U.S., Peru, Rwanda, and Nepal to support them in their commitment to make opportunities for women more accessible in their communities, whether it be in healthcare, access to jobs, or educating local governments on gender bias.  On a personal note, Jenna is the mother of two adult sons and lives with her fiance and French Bulldog, Cassie, in the San Francisco Bay Area. She enjoys reading, theater, and long walks with the dog and is currently completing her coursework to become an International Coaching Federation certified coach, while also planning the wedding!

Curiosity-fueled, impact-driven, and solution-seeking, Krishna is a philomath that finds solace in creative, thoughtful leadership. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where she collaborated with diverse teams to conduct audits of technology and private companies. During her time there, Krishna had an opportunity to collaborate with an education and poverty alleviation focused philanthropy to organize a team and fundraise to build a primary school in Senegal. This experience inspired her career pivot, leading her into mission-driven spaces.   Krishna ended up at Pacific Community Ventures - a local community development financial institution striving for economic, racial, and gender justice - where she enhanced financial products and empowered entrepreneurs through capital investments to create quality jobs and resilient, equitable communities. A deeper understanding of economic development and curiosity let Krishna into her current role in data at the Federal Reserve of San Francisco.  Outside of work, Krishna supports a small, women-owned business focused on breaking cultural barriers through fashion as a creative director. She also continues to support equity and education-focused organizations through regular volunteering. As a mindfulness teacher, travel enthusiast, linguaphile, and avid reader of books on personal development and human behavior, Krishna is always seeking ways to expand her horizons and connect with others on a deeper level. Whether at work or outside of work, Krishna is found looking for ways to grow and become the best version of herself in order to serve better.

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.

Kanika Raney is a Global Speaker, Coach and International Bestselling Author. With a rich professional background spanning over 25 years, Kanika honed her expertise in Human Resources across prominent Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Capital One, Lockheed Martin, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She served as a thought leader, coach, and consultant, guiding global teams and clients on matters such as recruiting strategy and operations, talent management, leadership development, change management, organizational design, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2023, Kanika gracefully transitioned from the corporate world to found Thrive Ever After, a platform dedicated to helping women and people of color thrive in life, work and entrepreneurship.  Kanika embodies the spirit of turning ordinary into extraordinary, championing the underrepresented, forging meaningful connections and guiding others towards triumphant career trajectories. Her magnetic energy, coupled with her authentic approach, has established her as an influential speaker, dynamic facilitator and transformational Leadership and Business Coach.

Kanika brings captivating energy into any space she enters, engaging audiences of all sizes and backgrounds and leading them to embrace new concepts and conquer new challenges.  A distinguished NASA Scholar from Spelman College, Kanika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, alongside a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Beyond her professional achievements, Kanika actively contributes to various community organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., and serves as a board member with WAKE International.

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.

Adi is a tech leader with over 13 years of experience driving impactful global programs at Google. Currently leading Strategy and Operations, she focuses on enhancing employee experiences and optimizing organizational efficiency through data-driven approaches. Her expertise lies in translating strategic vision into actionable steps that deliver results. Beyond her professional work, Adi is deeply committed to creating positive global change. She was the Executive Producer and Content Editor of the podcast "Raising to Rise" a platform supporting parents in nurturing their children's growth and development. She also volunteered with WAKE International in Rwanda supporting women-led social justice initiatives and empowering young women. As a mother of two girls, Adi understands the importance of building strong foundations for future generations. She seeks to use her skills and experience to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. She believes that kindness, creativity, curiosity and good people is what it take to make a difference.