When education is rooted in justice, it doesn’t just teach students—it transforms futures.
Trish Millines Dziko was a trailblazer long before she became a changemaker. Graduating with a computer science degree in the 1970s—a time when few Black women were seen in tech—she went on to build a successful career in the industry. But in 1996, she walked away from it all to answer a deeper calling: equity in education.
That leap of faith gave rise to the Technology Access Foundation (TAF)—a nonprofit born from Trish’s belief that students of color deserved full access to the opportunities exploding in tech. What started as an after-school program evolved into a powerful movement for systemic change in public education.
Under her leadership, TAF created Washington State’s only public school co-managed by a nonprofit and district (Federal Way Public Schools), launched programs to recruit and support teachers of color, and transformed teaching models in public schools across the state. Today, TAF reaches over 33,000 students annually, achieves a 93% graduation rate, and boasts alumni thriving in fields from medicine and law to engineering and entrepreneurship.
“Centering student voice enables them to chart their own futures.” — Trish Millines Dziko
Trish’s legacy is rooted in her refusal to accept “good enough” for the next generation. Her three core strategies—partnering with equity-driven organizations, backing bold educators, and engaging students in real-world problem solving—have redefined what inclusive education can look like.
This is more than a career. It’s her life’s work.
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/
