The most powerful stage you can stand on is the one you build yourself.
Barkha Herman knows firsthand that finding your voice isn’t just about speaking louder—it’s about showing up with purpose, authenticity, and the courage to be seen. For over two decades in technology and sciences, Barkha observed a persistent pattern: brilliant women holding back, staying silent in rooms and on stages where their voices desperately needed to be heard.
Her pivotal moment came at her very first tech conference. Surrounded by innovation, she noticed an unmistakable void—the speakers were overwhelmingly male. “Where are the women?” she asked herself. That question became a lifelong mission to rewrite the narrative.
In response, Barkha founded WitVoices, a platform dedicated to helping women in tech and sciences find their voice and own their expertise. From small confidence-building workshops at Microsoft, like her now-famous 5-day speaking challenge, to a scalable course empowering women to build talks on their own terms, Barkha has created pathways for women to step into visibility and leadership.
At the heart of her approach is a vibrant community—a space where women support one another, refine their skills, and share ambitions without judgment. It’s not just about building talks—it’s about building confidence, clarity, and a network that lifts as it rises.
Her personal mantra captures her journey: “Figure out who you are, then do it on purpose.” It’s this intentionality that has fueled her mission to democratize access to stages, conversations, and leadership positions across tech and sciences.
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/
