There are always new movers and shakers in the world of technology. Meet them here and learn about their journey to success (and their struggles along the way).
Up & Coming Tech Leaders
![A group of hexagonal portrait pods showing faces of all genders and races.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.lifewire.com/thmb/hwNUAC-KV8jRlSejc33AXMG4v3Q=/2000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TechLeaders_GettyImages-1145150936_CROPPED2-ee3a30f68b494acf8196f46f29680b70.jpg)
The Latest Tech News
![AfroFreelancer cofounders, MJ Cunningham (left) and Lillian Jackson (right).](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/A9lp-TVKNjN87xTqZYQ6TV5uPrM=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AfroFreelancer1-da88b7a239f349e2a8870e670a7496fe.png)
AfroFreelancer Helps Black Entrepreneurs Find Jobs
![A portrait of Weili Dai](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/GQnN1xDTyf1WCew2KMfYUeUpvK8=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/WeiliDai-acfe647b60c149869466ebd6d3bd574a.jpg)
Weili Dai Uses AI to Help People Improve Their Lifestyles
![Adrian Mendoza, founder and general partner of Mendoza Ventures](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/S8g_8m47syFNd8aLJAfNHuOztvM=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-01-27at1.42.29PM-7dae4db8dee940fe81736da420d9bc0f.png)
Adrian Mendoza Is Investing in BIPOC-Led Startups
![Slidebean founder Jose Cayasso leaning on an old Sony reel to reel tape recorder](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Y7SypD6PvHXtCRwqrd6s12LZPhw=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-01-13at12.25.09PM-aa52f1508d6b489b84df85c774669e89.png)
Jose Cayasso Helps Founders Master Their Pitches
![Cherie Kloss, founder of SnapNurse.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/1oTLM8c4-z9nA7_v0didGYoARWc=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CherieKloss1-c0ada8b85c6a4e1d819a441e25dbfeb1.jpeg)
Cherie Kloss Uses Tech to Help Nurses Land Jobs
![Slidebean founder Jose Cayasso leaning on an old Sony reel to reel tape recorder](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/2j9zscNBYRMQ_Fozem_nlgTXfTE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-01-13at12.25.09PM-aa52f1508d6b489b84df85c774669e89.png)
Jose Cayasso Helps Founders Master Their Pitches
![Cherie Kloss, founder of SnapNurse.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/1tfn1xCFnroYT88eooqQPieucuw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CherieKloss1-c0ada8b85c6a4e1d819a441e25dbfeb1.jpeg)
Cherie Kloss Uses Tech to Help Nurses Land Jobs
![Headshot of Lola Han, Founder and CEO of CultivatePeople](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/lP9XyP4EUKawZfmbCqnLIEO5HyU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/han-ede3a766549143e8b4a9856b8128b17b.jpg)
Meet Lola Han, Founder and CEO, CultivatePeople
![April Johnson, Co-founder and CEO of Happied](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kc5FQ7Wvdv0F_Krq4_-5yHNDSOw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/April-johnson-headshot-landscape-4a86f4e97518448ca071547d9ebe581a.png)
Meet April Johnson, Co-founder and CEO of DC-Based Happy Hour App
Meet Obi Omile Jr., Co-founder and CEO of theCut
![Headshot of Dawn Myers, Founder and CEO of The Most](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/6QFm0JDInxW-VZP-0F20SBxCPNY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DawnMyers_0060_crop2-5d818de49e0947aa94cb451025957413.jpg)
Meet Dawn Myers, Founder and CEO of The Most
![Shavini Fernando with her arm resting on a bookshelf](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/5bLLCgjd4WhH-TRMpg_qnDsZQ2c=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2020-12-22at3.22.03PM-f1692cef51d248d0a40cae8707e8250b.png)
Meet Shavini Fernando, Founder and CEO of OxiWear
![Portrait of May Habib](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/zPbrz0xYT6-e-Siew_kTQcwmGaI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MayHabib-d884611c85bf4b909b33ee1410d6544b.jpeg)
Writer CEO, May Habib, Leads With Words
![Erica Cervantez headshot](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/A0XVxUlV8ojxNxMwxZO61wFI45o=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-01-08at1.14.03PM-c8985aaab2454a16a2969d69bbc95867.png)
Meet Erica Cervantez, Founder of Erica Cervantez Photography
![Coleman chatting with attendees at a past Meaningful Gigs event.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/4isEQKIP0BBLbseoVfsufDPeK90=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MGigsEvent-00211-2b5de5ae028e447aad969c50f63a9b5f.jpg)
Meet Ronnie Kwesi Coleman, Co-founder and CEO of Meaningful Gigs
![Ante Afahame](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/gC9HcfUhzL1eN9XJKAXim2QBMmk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AnteAfahame-8bbdbcd1f8ee47f8a539aec2de749015.jpg)
Meet Ante Afahame, Co-founder of HPMA Solutions
![A candid photograph of Taylor Dent.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/dyswmYNpv0N5nDaCdhxQ7fAUz7s=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Taylor-Dent-candid-02cfe5d4fc174cd585cfc43cb77b48f7.jpg)
Meet Taylor Dent, Founder of Orcinus Media
![Portrait of Naza Shelley](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/RbZUfuz3r4f5IlxExTAqggEIT6o=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Naza-Shelley-1-c9592bcfe3bd4773bc1ca32865328fa9.png)
Meet Naza Shelley, Founder and CEO of CarpeDM Social
![headshot of Stephanie Cummings, CEO of Please Assist Me](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/TJ0OIWeM942WX8mzW-q81zNzPvQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Headshot3Stephanie-9863b086590245458d3751b89cac98f4.jpeg)
Stephanie Cummings: Helping You Manage Household Upkeep
![DeShuna Spencer](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/NbdHSQAycy6SClhRHsj3CQyiEGg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DeShuna-Spencer-78f0319607be48ec97dcc6ce1b0d1c75.png)
DeShuna Spencer: Changing the Narrative About Black Entertainment
![Portrait of Rhett Lindsey](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/uPaLVwxbvMfcPdG68RijLj_eON0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed-bd03be35e2934c6a955a7022f4319123.png)
Rhett Lindsey: Combating Recruitment Bias With an App
![An outdoor portrait of Kevin Dedner](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/XAvL4eRfgpDx8YVxn2ewPZ27roY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-02-16at10.57.40AM-800b0250dce34954be14a81444e6015b.png)
Kevin Dedner: Leader in Mental Health Tech
![A self portrait of Anna Spearman](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/k7xjMSNieWlwf9mMctw10r9sWkw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Anna-Spearman-selfie-5138968eef3a4f71bd3b35b4131d4886.png)
Anna Spearman: A STEM Advocate Creating Opportunity for Tech Workers
![A portrait of Khang Vuong](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kvEgYAA7g4inR0HblHngp2oE6to=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KhangVuong-d90c802b819741a297291d835e7762e4.jpeg)
Khang Vuong: Healthcare Advocate for the Middle Class
![A snapshot of Monica Kang founder of InnovatorsBox.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_zRh-AGrdlf_tw2GGE_lGwA-SOU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MonicaKang-68f114568a6b4ef98603bc5154109387.jpg)
Monica Kang: Creativity and Innovation Warrior
![Portrait of Hassan Riggs.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/nWJ0cENyAQnczt0A_C_9Jk56PmA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GN5C2337-2ecd1ef3d21c4203bd652b800943a5c2.jpg)
Hassan Riggs: Helping Real Estate Agents Thrive
![Caitlin Kalinowski headshot](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/MaOu3FH6HAb4dzVe_AN1hXIylb0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CK_Headshot-6631970d6f384e74bf6a4e7d19791081.jpg)
Caitlin Kalinowski Is Leveling the Playing Field in STEM
![An outdoor portrait of Sherrard Harrington.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/KzkQugIKuD34hzRrqv0ju_rYyMY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-03-10at10.51.34AM-4a21a62a72a545aa8fa3dc272db32713.png)
Sherrard Harrington: Startup and Venture Capital Maven
![A portrait of Tiffany Yau.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/z7UdaHIuSHCotmORcG40rw5ptd8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tiffyau_horizontal-36ca1676b47f451c8921b9a01fb4b758.png)
Tiffany Yau: Inspiring Community-Minded Young Entrepreneurs
![You Mon Tsang, Founder of ChurnZero.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/COW2jER_hkDk8J7l3e4M5TaEqDo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed1-c0ccfef93b954cd4b380884118489270.jpg)
You Mon Tsang: Customer Success Leader
![A business portrait of Demetrius Gray.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/fj7LHxQR3xXkmWG7B0RVwIMdJVY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DemetriusGray-370f2f60b93b4808b029f80359cc8244.jpg)
How Demetrius Gray Built a Tech Company to Help Homeowners
![A portrait of Janet Phan.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/HP1f6Y5v-9RLt9yWUuwoG4EjIsQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JanetPhan-ProfessionalWeb-82f9b60035e04a31bd8db9f8df8d44a5.jpg)
How Janet Phan Helps Young Women Succeed in Tech
![A portrait of Craig Lewis](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/YCr33fJHseZO8RCihR1UVKh6rm8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CraigLewis-a22534001b734668a6b9b89811095400.png)
How Craig Lewis Helps Employees Get Paid in the Gig Economy
![A closeup portrait of Preet Anand](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/jBnabVblnU-pVzdwjWgW35QXhjQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PreetAnand-4c9eb5ff333041e2a6a25710d87b4a34.png)
How Preet Anand Uses Tech to Help People Living Alone Feel Safe
![Josh Dzime-Assison, Vendoo Co-Founder.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/iWtxzOACOnG_uyFFcUmFDT7X-Co=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Vendoo-cofounder-Josh-75719038e6f2495b8047a5297bc9d046.png)
How Josh Dzime-Assison and His Team Help Resellers List Items Faster
![Travis Holoway](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/e56J2-xXoFPg-h2j8bmXzxrWMJw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/L1019-e6002f6ab3f34c489dede59d3dd7824e.jpg)
Meet App-Based Loan King Travis Holoway
![An outdoor portrait of Vivianne Castillo.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/lA2tRRJbMgwqvG8pw2WQZdj5YEg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Vivianne1-5a65ca2378d44b4cb65e69b433bd1768.jpeg)
How Vivianne Castillo Challenges Tech Leaders to Focus on People
![A portrait of Chris Witherspoon.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/rg6M4Q7Oa_3NTNWoHlMyVHD_ibw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-05-11at11.47.30AM-9172bd4627dc455493a4099398f1cf2c.png)
Chris Witherspoon: Amplifying the Voices of Minority TV and Film Junkies
![Nhon Ma](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/47wKkXQv5N2sL0vmW5pGr3Xrtvk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NhonMa-aeb5c3c6d4a343b7a2900f469c0f8a74.png)
Nhon Ma: Closing Educational Opportunity Gaps
![Headshot of Natalie Coleman.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/u2CGdSfM3QAZqf1i_jqJ0Yphm2Q=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NatalieHeadshot1-fc42e637c3174b46a7a99cb5adcfccb4.jpg)
Natalie Coleman: Making STEAM Programs Accessible to Diverse Students
![Lauren Maillian](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/L6-ZDM4b9RGQ6bLkGIiCxw-n8xQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed-ab349991a4d748a38dc0028fbb611036.png)
Lauren Maillian: Elevating Black and Latinx Women Founders
Patrick Hill: Empowering Indie Musicians and Podcasters
![Shilla Kim-Parker](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/KvyKv3qw43Rj30-fBwiiF96FrEQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-06-08at11.43.45AM-2ef9daaff54943558fd3a1612153347d.png)
Shilla Kim-Parker: Making Vintage Online Shopping Easy
![Headshot of Kevin Wu](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/nqSALb7zNdT8nFxf209ImwIDLX0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-06-10at11.00.05AM-54419e7f430d4753971645b6e3580923.png)
How Kevin Wu Helps Tech Professionals Find New Jobs
![Rachel Angel](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/9zP4FHqoBjTYTcnKPx1ayZYilLM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed4-3ef148e602fd46e8ba95745b3f2d5270.jpg)
How Dr. Rachel Angel Helps Students Find a Career
![A portrait of Blondy Baruti.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Gkr3gE8eLg0SUe5WeaWd97Kesj8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BlondyBaruti-050621-024RTMini-c837c508205440e7926b69bad55754c0.jpg)
How Blondy Baruti Empowers People to Control Their Social Media Presence
![Jehron Petty speaking in a classroom.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/WlWpk5WfFyytFp2F9Ktrh0i0cdI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed-e3283557c2e748c5a805375627b5f2f0.jpg)
Jehron Petty’s Nonprofit Inspires BIPOC Computer Science Students
![](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Xfsodnkjdz4fAd73146-24x06ZE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the-windows-10-notification-center-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it-4150756-2691e67d378e45f4875c059230b007d7.png)
How Seamon Chan Helps Fund Underserved Businesses Globally
![Nikolas Woods, founder and CEO of Hohm.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Ek5qs_J_CIp6KZPp1ZWJd1wdTv0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed-d96179f6affc4fe0b0b2c49e89646bd9.png)
How Nikolas Woods Makes Sleep More Accessible Everywhere
![Ruben Flores-Martinez](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/yH3VN_03ATOTs4X95cBZDmRltms=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed2-00320a0b241647e8884ffa243fa78320.png)
How Ruben Flores-Martinez Helps Small Businesses Launch Faster
![Chao Cheng-Shorland headshot](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/XejxsxntCd2RLvwYfrDEHdRW_2w=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1_hPajmPO378WfVVcIWXmg2A-9efd24158d6844baa9cb2a2ad16adc1c.jpeg)
Chao Cheng-Shorland’s ShelterZoom is Helping Make Online Contracting Easy
![Shy Pahlevani](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/dQQ6K-YemgwELjvg6ZsDbY1lSus=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed1-da6285c1120045d79e82ad7259c4240b.png)
How Shy Pahlevani Is Taking Food-Tech Capabilities to the Next Level
![Ashish Toshniwal](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/bBjL4RQrpU3Is7hygFsLYpWveBE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed-d43fab70fbba4bc39949f9a4c84a80d0.png)
How Ashish Toshniwal Empowers Companies Through Tech
![Pablo Martinez, Pay Theory CMO](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/NXFOAZHLcHWM8cMwP2rCp3L-Vog=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PabloMartinez-32190b42c0114fdd92613612a5a2aa3e.png)
How Pablo Martinez Helps Ease Digital Payments for Everyone
![Dean Haynesworth](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_y5z3SeWTZCgEYYCyYR-kdazEb0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DeanH1-74b7b6d4129b4eac9e22e9cc72ce6215.png)
How Dean Haynesworth Helps Improve Diversity
![Nashlie Sephus](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/PSAZXreeoOH8hiJTNzUNSb2HjOc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NashlieSephus-f046b38926c84c1292451aa7f8f18ac7.jpeg)
How Nashlie Sephus Works To Boost Jackson’s Tech Ecosystem
![Dilip Rao](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/V0RRiEvZYrwixkOfRK2EGYZoZsI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed1-c9049f74e5ac46deb36ed212a4e8709b.png)
How Dilip Rao Uses Tech to Help Fight Childhood Hunger
![Portrait of Jay Veal.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/5sZ2IYbS1Vq7ZwEoK_PsppTsHS4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed1-e3445b89ed8d4c268efdc8be28e16417.png)
How Jay Veal Wants to Improve Tutoring in BIPOC Communities
![A portrait of Everett Harper.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/MQuF0kYWSV23n_XR72nO-hbBEkA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed1-fb7457dea3e948c5956ae91118a2dbd7.jpg)
How Everett Harper Puts People at the Center of Tech
![Ianacare cofounder, president, and COO, Steven Lee.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/DqtKlGQoB_SUK9UXyVHv2XrG5RQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/unnamed1-d5515bd372264472994929d78dbbe185.jpeg)
Steven Lee Helps Caregivers Connect Through Tech
![A portrait of Marwan Forzley.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/pDJLxtJV_xM1pSvQWP5kOHuInRo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MarwanForzley2-2e8fa7b158e54849b8094140cfcedfc6.jpeg)
Marwan Forzley Helps Small Businesses With Easier Online Payments
![Paula Mora Arias speaking at South Summit.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/8WvB3WbbZhsgOEddEK5no9WfS0E=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PMA1-497f5a8faa3c449eb1f0b7157b8e9e66.jpeg)
Paula Mora Arias Helps Build Careers for BIPOC Women
![A black and white portrait of Jack Li.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/KER6l7ReycmbEYNNb6GNg7KUr1U=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JackLi1-79e49ca2f15e4cd2ac31fc87afcf7eac.jpeg)
How Jack Li Brings AI and Restaurants Together
![A portrait of Jeff Sawyer Lee.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/U2_ZVqdtVZUlaa1Hl3NAfB66OEY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JSL2-de07f8b4e06e49d58026eedc72df66c7.png)
Jeff Sawyer Lee Builds Smart Scales That Help You Attain Your Goals
![A protrait of Elias Torres.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/H0f3qG0gl1dMFn62mCSzVBKU38k=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/EliasTorres1-477ec52c64ab45d1931919ac1b305139.png)
Elias Torres’ Tech Removes Friction From Online Shopping