New York, USA— Ruthe Farmer, a trailblazer in advocating for diversity and inclusion in technology, has been honoured with the Global Female Leadership Impact (GFLI) Award at the Global Power Women Yearbook (GPWY) 2024 event. This award recognises her transformative efforts in using technology to uplift marginalised communities, alongside her work shaping policies that foster economic and political empowerment through tech.
The Global Power Women Yearbook (GPWY) 2024 event took place on 25th September 2024 at the Graduate Centre, City University of New York (CUNY), under the theme “Advancing the Transformative Power of Technology through Women’s Lens: Shaping the Future of Business and Governance.” Organised by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) in collaboration with Amazons Watch Magazine (AWM), the event brought together influential women leaders from around the globe to celebrate their achievements, share insights, and discuss the pivotal role of women in shaping the future of business and governance through technology.
A Visionary Leader in Tech Inclusion
As the founder and CEO of the Last Mile Education Fund, Farmer is committed to creating opportunities for under-represented students to pursue education and careers in the technology and engineering fields. Since 2001, her focus has been on driving inclusion, with a particular emphasis on increasing diversity in these sectors.
In her role as Chief Evangelist for CSforALL, Farmer works to ensure that all students across the U.S. have access to computer science education, regardless of their backgrounds. She previously served as Senior Policy Advisor for Tech Inclusion in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she played a key role in President Obama’s Computer Science for All initiative. Her influence has helped shape tech policy at the highest levels.
Farmer’s impact extends through numerous national programs she launched and scaled, including the CSforALL Summit, JROTC-CS in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, and NCWIT’s Aspirations in Computing. She also developed programs like TECHNOLOchicas, AspireIT, and Lego Robotics for Girl Scouts to engage young girls and women in technology.
Recognised Leadership
Her contributions to tech inclusion have earned her numerous accolades. She served as the Chair of Computer Science Education Week in 2012 and was named a White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion in 2013. Farmer’s efforts were further recognised by awards such as the Anita Borg Institute Award for Social Impact in 2014 and the UK Alumni Award for Social Impact in 2015.
A Respected Voice in Tech
In addition to her hands-on work in promoting tech inclusion, Farmer is a thought leader, contributing to publications such as TechCrunch, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, The Shriver Report, and Huffington Post. Her insights have also been featured in prominent media outlets like Forbes and TechRepublic, furthering the conversation on diversity in technology.
Farmer holds a BA from Lewis & Clark College and an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Oxford. Her academic background, combined with her experience, equips her to integrate innovative business strategies into her social impact work.
At the Global Power Women Yearbook 2024, Farmer shared the stage with esteemed female leaders, including Global female leaders and honorees who attended GPWC 2024 including H.E. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda; Dr. Filomena Gonçalves, Minister of Health, Cape Verde; First Ladies such as H.E. Rossana Maria Briceño of Belize, H.E. Leticia Ocampos of Paraguay, Dr. Isaura Nyusi (Mozambique), H.E Arya Devi Ali (Guyana); H.E. Dinisia Dos Reis Embaló, (Guinea-Bissau); Mansa Nettey, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Ghana; Olive Birungi Lumonya, Deputy Director General, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority; Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking; Abby Huang, Founder/CEO, Dime Inc.; Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (UN SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy; Amira Youssef, VP, SocialPost, among other esteemed guests. In oneness, they shared their experiences and visions for a more equitable and inclusive future.
Global Female Leadership Impact Award: A Well-Deserved Honour
The Global Female Leadership Impact (GFLI) Award is a recognition of farmers’s tireless work in creating inclusive opportunities for women and girls in the technology sector. Her efforts are not only changing individual lives but are also driving a global movement toward equity and representation in technology.
About the Global Power Women (GPW) Yearbook
The Global Power Women (GPW) Yearbook is an exclusive and timeless compilation of highly inspirational success stories, achievements, innovations, and impact generated by the world’s top Power Women. This extraordinary book transcends time, showcasing the remarkable tales of triumph, innovation, and influence woven by the world’s most influential women. It immerses readers in a powerful captivating narrative, illustrating the profound impact of women’s leadership resonating across diverse sectors and global landscapes.
About the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD)
CELD is a global institution dedicated to empowering women and promoting leadership development. It advocates for gender equality and sustainable development, uplifting women leaders worldwide.
About Amazons Watch Magazine (AWM)
AWM is a leading platform celebrating women’s achievements globally. Through inspirational stories, AWM champions gender equality and advocates for the empowerment of women across various sectors.
For more information on GPWY 2024:
Phone: +44 7471066570
Email: alo_ed@africanleadership.co.uk, info@celd.org.uk
