Every 8th of March, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated. This celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the strides we have made toward gender equality and the work still ahead. This year, under the theme #AccelerateAction, we celebrate the women who are driving change, breaking barriers, and fostering inclusivity.
At Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) and the Women and Gender Minorities in Tech (WGMIT) Community, we believe in the power of recognition and representation. In honor of International Women’s Day 2025, we are recognizing exceptional people who have made a tangible impact—whether by mentoring others, leading initiatives, advocating for diversity, or building innovative solutions that empower underrepresented groups as well as male allies who support women in the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) community, Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), and Program and Operations management team.
Why This Matters: Women remain underrepresented in the tech industry, comprising 25% of tech jobs worldwide. Increasing representation not only fosters innovation but also ensures diverse perspectives in problem-solving. Recognizing the contributions of women in STEM helps to inspire the next generation of leaders and create a more inclusive digital future.
The Role of Male Allies: Male allies play a crucial role in driving equity and inclusion in the tech industry. Their active support—through mentorship, sponsorship, advocacy, and policy changes—helps break down barriers for women.
Honorees were nominated by Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors in recognition of their outstanding contributions and impact. Members of the Women and Gender Minorities in Tech (WGMIT) leadership team reviewed each nomination, evaluating nominees based on key criteria, including impact, advocacy, and leadership.
Each honoree has made a remarkable difference, and we are honored to share their stories, amplify their voices, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.
Let’s meet the honorees!
Sayanti Chowdhury
YouTube | Medium | Girub | MLSA Profile
Sayanti Chowdhury is a rising force in the tech community, making waves through her contributions to security research, AI, and cloud computing.
Impact: As a Microsoft Security Researcher (MSRC), she has actively enhanced Microsoft’s security standards. She is also a dedicated tech blogger and content creator, sharing her expertise on AI, cloud, and development topics through medium articles and YouTube videos. As a passionate advocate for women in tech, she built a Facebook community dedicated to supporting women in STEM and has helped over 15 students, especially women, secure free Microsoft certification vouchers to advance their careers. Having earned multiple Microsoft certifications and led impactful tech projects, Sayanti is a true role model in the MLSA community.
Philippa Burgess
LinkedIn | MLSA Profile
Philippa Burgess is a Gold MLSA Ambassador known for her dedication to mentoring and empowering women in tech.
Impact: Philippa has created multiple workshops and community projects that help students, especially women, grow in the MLSA program. Through her efforts, several community members have reached the gold MLSA milestone. She has also contributed significantly to Cybersecurity and AI, publishing insightful articles and leading collaborative projects each quarter. Her leadership was instrumental in her team’s victory in the MLSA AI Projectswhere she provided guidance on AI concepts. Philippa continues to uplift women in tech by ensuring they are well-represented in all her projects and by serving as an inspiration to other women in tech.
Abeer Moazzam
LinkedIn | MLSA Profile
Abeer Moazzam is an influential leader in the tech community, making a lasting impact through her roles as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA), National Coordinator for Hult Prize UAE, and Campus Director at her university.
Impact: Over the past three years, Abeer has led numerous workshops and mentorship programs, empowering students worldwide. She is a passionate advocate for women in tech, having mentored and supported many aspiring women in tech. Through her leadership, she actively creates opportunities and ensures inclusivity in tech spaces. Her initiatives have significantly contributed to gender diversity and provided hands-on learning experiences to countless students.
Kritika Subedi
MLSA Profile | LinkedIn
Kritika Subedi is a passionate Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador who has made significant contributions to tech education and community building.
Impact: Kritika has conducted multiple sessions on Microsoft Azure, AI, and cloud computing, helping students gain practical skills. She has also organized Hour of Code (HOC) sessions for girls in schools, introducing young female students to programming and inspiring them to pursue careers in technology. As the first MLSA from her all-girls campus, she has actively worked to close the gender gap in tech.
Hamna Khalil
LinkedIn | MLSA Profile
Hamna Khalil is an influential MLSA in Pakistan, recognized for her contributions to tech education and community-building. She is regarded as one of the most active female MLSAs in Pakistan
Impact: Hamna’s articles have twice been recognized as the most-read articles of their respective months. She has spoken twice on the Microsoft Reactor YouTube channel. She founded Techtalka community dedicated to empowering female students in her university by fostering their personal and professional growth. Through TECHTALK, she has mentored women and led initiatives that encourage more women to pursue careers in technology.
Diana Michelle Barrantes Gallardo
LinkedIn | MLSA Profile
Diana Michelle is a passionate advocate for women in STEM, working to bridge the gender gap in tech.
Impact: She has organized hackathons, workshops, and conferences, creating inclusive learning spaces. Through her Tiktok and LinkedIn communities, she shares insights on AI, cybersecurity, and programming, inspiring more women to enter these fields. Diana has also contributed to research and mentoring projects, providing certification support and career guidance. Her efforts continue to shape a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
Rachel Irabor
LinkedIn | Twitter | MVP Profile
Rachel Irabor is a Microsoft MVP, Developer Relations (DevRel), and Global Public Speaker, renowned for her contributions to the Microsoft 365 and Power Platform communities.
Impact: Rachel has actively engaged with the tech community through various channels, including her YouTube channel, which has garnered over 50,000 views. Through her podcast“Girl in Love with Tech,” Rachel mentors aspiring students, particularly women, fostering diversity and inclusion in the field. Rachel’s unwavering commitment to technology evangelism and community development continues to inspire and empower individuals worldwide.
Sarah Williams
LinkedIn
Sarah Williams serves as the Lead Operations Manager for the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) program, exemplifying leadership, grace, and respect.
Impact: She approaches challenges with a calm, strategic mindset, ensuring swift and effective resolutions. Her clear and thoughtful communication fosters trust and confidence among colleagues, making her an invaluable asset to the team. Beyond her technical expertise, Sarah’s supportive leadership style inspires those around her to perform at their best. She sets a high standard for excellence and remains a steady, guiding presence in the face of any challenge.
As a manager, Sarah excels at fostering a healthy work-life balance for all team members, with a particular focus on supporting women. She understands the unique challenges that working women face and actively promotes an environment where personal well-being and professional success go hand in hand. Sarah leads by example as a working mother, demonstrating that it is possible to thrive in a demanding career while also prioritizing family.
Eury Rivera Vasquez
LinkedIn
Eury Rivera Vasquez is an accomplished Operations Manager overseeing multiple initiatives, including AI projects and Gold student support in the MLSA program. Her ability to provide clear, efficient guidance ensures smooth daily operations and strengthens the overall experience for ambassadors.
Eury plays a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity within MLSA, particularly for women in tech. She has supported hundreds of Gold Ambassadors worldwide, ensuring they receive the advocacy and mentorship needed for success. Through AI-focused projects, she actively promotes equitable opportunities for women, inspiring the next generation of women. Her leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment make her a trusted and valued member of the MLSA team.
The Women and Gender Minorities in Tech (WGMIT) Leads—Olivia Oputa, Dija Vijay, Valentina Lazaro, and Eleanora Matalanga—have driven impactful initiatives at MLSA. For International Women’s Day 2024, the team hosted two global events in English and Spanish, engaging 60+ women and featuring Microsoft MVPs and MLSA CPMs. The OpenTechInclusion program fostered open-source contributions, awarding top participants for their efforts. Through the Azure AI Boot Campthe leads provided hands-on training and distributed certification vouchers, empowering students with AI skills. Their efforts continue to promote diversity and inclusion in tech, ensuring women access resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities in tech
Socials: Olivia | Diya | Eleanora | Valentina
Zeaedin Mia
LinkedIn | MLSA Profile | YouTube
Zaynul Abedin Miah serves as an example of true allyship in tech, actively dismantling barriers that limit women’s participation. As a Microsoft Learn Gold Student Ambassador and leader in Azure Tech Group Bangladesh and Fabric User Community Bangladesh, he has transformed opportunities for women in tech through bold, inclusive actions.
Impact: Zaynul assisted at least 15 women to earn their first certificationsby prioritizing women while distributing Azure certification vouchers. His commitment extends to event planning—reserving 50% of study group seats for women and ensuring workshops accommodate cultural constraints by scheduling them during daylight hours. His leadership at Kubernetes Community Day Chattogram led to an unprecedented 62.5% female speaker representation, and he personally mentored first-time female speakers. Zaynul doesn’t just advocate for inclusion—he takes deliberate, culture-sensitive actions that create real change.
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) program is a global initiative that empowers students to develop technical and leadership skills while engaging with local and global tech communities.
The Women and Gender Minorities in Tech (WGMIT) Community at MLSA is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, mentorship, and support for underrepresented groups in tech. Through events, mentorship, and advocacy, WGMIT creates opportunities for growth and leadership in the industry.
The Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) program recognizes technology experts who actively share their knowledge and contribute to the broader tech community.
🏆 How to Get Involved
Celebrate and Connect: Follow and engage with the honorees on their social platforms. Share their stories and amplify their work.
Join the Movement: Become an advocate for inclusivity in tech by mentoring, sponsoring, or creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Be Part of MLSA and WGMIT: Participate in our programs, mentorship initiatives, and tech communities to foster growth and empowerment.
This International Women’s Day 2025 let’s commit to #AccelerateAction—not just today, but every day. Let’s celebrate and uplift those making a difference in the tech industry.
We are grateful to our community for nominating and recognizing these outstanding individuals. Keep the conversation going by sharing your own stories using #MLSAIWD2025 and let’s continue to build an inclusive tech ecosystem together.
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