#empowHER50 – Lakecia Gunter

Technology should be an equalizer, not a barrier.  

From AI to cloud computing, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that businesses—especially those from underrepresented communities—have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive. Technology should empower people, not exclude them, and I am committed to making it accessible to those who need it most,” she says. 

As a Fortune 50 Tech Executive and Corporate Board Director, Lakecia has been a catalyst for change, bridging the gap between innovation and access. Through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership development, she has helped create pathways for women, Black professionals, and emerging leaders to break into and excel in the tech industry. For her, representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s about building an ecosystem where diverse voices lead and drive meaningful impact and change. 

Her impact extends beyond the corporate world. Through ROAR, her podcast, she amplifies industry insights and career strategies, bringing knowledge to those who may not have direct access to top leaders. As a board director and community leader, she champions equity-driven decision-making at the highest levels, ensuring that companies prioritize inclusion not just in words, but in action. 

Lakecia’s legacy is one of empowerment and impact. Whether she’s mentoring the next generation, shaping industry policies, or pushing for greater inclusivity in leadership, she remains driven by one core belief: Technology should work for everyone—and the future of innovation must be built by all of us. 

About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Erendira González

Leadership should never come at the cost of well-being—it should be built upon it. 

For Erendira González, leadership is not just about advancement, but about awakening purpose and expanding collective impact. With over 30 years in the tech industry, including as an executive at Microsoft, she has led multicultural teams and large-scale transformations—always aligning business goals with human development. 

A turning point came after experiencing burnout. That moment reframed her vision of success: leadership needed to be sustained by authenticity, inner clarity, and a conscious approach to well-being—not just “feeling fine,” but cultivating the awareness to adjust, care for one-self, and lead with intention. 

She transitioned into transformational coaching, integrating strategic experience with mind-body medicine and positive psychology. Her scalable programs blend science, emotional healing, and practical tools—supporting leaders to reduce stress, reconnect with their purpose, and grow consciously. 

What sets her apart is her commitment to accessibility. Erendira partners with organizations to bring well-being and leadership development to indigenous communities, underserved professionals, and women in tech—expanding access to resources once limited to few. 

Guided by love, courage, and coherence, she builds safe, empowering spaces where people reconnect with their potential. Her approach is deeply human, profoundly effective, and designed to scale transformation from the inside out. 

“By transforming ourselves, we transform the world,” Erendira says. In a world hungry for authentic leadership, she is proving that when we evolve from within, we don’t just transform organizations—we transform lives. 

About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Monika Mital Gupta

Monika Mital Gupta is not just transforming technology—she is engineering a more inclusive and empowered future.  

For over 27 years, Monika has been at the forefront of global enterprise innovation, pioneering engineering solutions that deliver at scale while breaking barriers for the next generation of leaders. As Partner GM, Engineering at Microsoft, she has led some of the most impactful programs across the company, setting new standards for how technology can drive transformation and inclusion simultaneously. 

Fueled by curiosity and an unrelenting drive for excellence, Monika’s path into technology began with a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a Fulbright Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University. From managing platforms processing over $100B in revenue to enabling the secure release of 100M+ binaries and redefining employee productivity for over 200,000 users, her leadership has reshaped industries and touched lives globally. 

Yet Monika’s story is more than technological milestones—it is a story of resilience. Growing up where gender expectations often limited ambition, Monika faced skepticism at every turn. As one of the few women in her computer science program and later in tech leadership, she had to prove herself repeatedly. Instead of backing down, she turned obstacles into opportunities, blazing a trail for others to follow. 

“True leadership is not about breaking barriers for yourself; it’s about tearing them down for those who come after you. Success is measured not just by what you achieve, but by how many others you empower to rise.” — Monika Mital Gupta 

This philosophy has shaped her approach to leadership. Monika has championed mentorship, built diverse teams, and led multi-million-dollar, cross-industry initiatives that demonstrate how inclusion drives innovation. From employee productivity platforms to secure enterprise solutions, she has ensured that her work creates lasting impact. 

Beyond Microsoft, she invests in women-led startups and serves as a board advisor, continuing to democratize access to innovation. 

Monika’s story is a beacon for every woman who has ever felt unseen in tech. Her legacy reminds us that the future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we engineer, together. 
 
About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Laurie Carey

Opportunity shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be a pathway. Laurie Carey has spent her career ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the skills, mentorship, and confidence needed to succeed in the ever-evolving tech industry. 

As a champion for diversity in technology, Laurie expanded DigiGirlz, scaling the program from Microsoft’s Redmond campus to New York and beyond. This initiative has provided young women with early exposure to technology careers, equipping them with hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities. She also led the Women @ Microsoft program, expanding leadership conferences to empower women within the company, and providing career development and networking that has propelled many into leadership roles. 

Recognizing a broader need for outreach, Laurie founded We Connect The Dots, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that underserved communities have access to technology education and career pathways. Over the past decade, the organization has provided 6,000+ scholarships across 30 states and multiple countries, significantly increasing participation in computer science programs and workforce training. 

“Empowering individuals with the skills and confidence to thrive in technology isn’t just about education, it’s about creating lasting opportunities. By breaking down barriers, fostering resilience, and building strong community partnerships, we are shaping a diverse and inclusive future in tech where everyone has the chance to succeed.” — Laurie Carey 

The impact of Laurie’s work is seen not only in students but also in educators, school districts, and volunteers. By integrating resilience training with technical education, We Connect The Dots has built a sustainable model that ensures long-term success for participants. Eighty-three percent of adult graduates from the program have secured entry-level jobs in tech, earning an average salary of $55,000 – $70,000 annually, providing economic stability and new opportunities for countless individuals and families. 

Laurie’s mission is built on three key strategies: fostering customer obsession, prioritizing passion for simplicity, and driving impact at scale. Through mentorship, education, and industry partnerships, she continues to elevate access to technology careers and inspire future generations to innovate for humanity. 
 

About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Elena Kennedy

Inclusion isn’t just about policies—it’s about action. 

Elena Kennedy is turning words into impact, creating opportunities for diverse suppliers, women entrepreneurs, and underrepresented communities in tech. Her advocacy is both professional and deeply personal, shaped by her upbringing in an interracial, queer-inclusive family. 

“We do our best work and live our best lives when we are considerate, collaborative, and inclusive. I strive to not only hold myself to these values but seek to inspire others by example.” — Elena Kennedy 

At Microsoft, Elena is a fierce advocate for diverse suppliers and women entrepreneurs, ensuring they gain visibility and access within the tech ecosystem. As part of the Azure Marketplace team, she actively researched and engaged with diverse suppliers, championing their innovations and connecting them within Microsoft’s ecosystem. Through partnerships with Women in Cloud and Excelia, she has further amplified diverse voices, speaking at Excelia’s Microsoft Co-Launch Event in 2024 to inspire and engage customers. Her contributions to supporting hundreds of founders in building effective GTM strategies have accelerated their growth momentum within the tech channel. 

Elena’s commitment to equity extends into her local community, where she actively supports the Fairground Community Kitchen, a nonprofit providing healthy food to people experiencing food insecurity, which commonly includes queer youth and people of color. She has donated to their fundraisers and participated in food packing and grocery deliveries, ensuring that basic needs are met for those facing systemic barriers. Through Microsoft’s Give Campaign, she created an internal video to encourage coworkers to make donations, leveraging corporate matching to double the impact and reach even more vulnerable individuals. 

Elena’s mission is clear: to uplift marginalized voices, leverage corporate influence for social good, and inspire others to take action. Whether advocating for diverse founders, mentoring rising professionals, or ensuring fair access to resources, she is creating lasting change—one opportunity at a time. 

About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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