When flexibility becomes infrastructure, inclusion becomes inevitable.
Brea Starmer has spent her career reimagining work, not as a rigid system to navigate, but as a dynamic platform for inclusion, empowerment, and growth. Her journey began at Microsoft, where she joined as a college hire and quickly saw the real-world impact of technology on public institutions and local communities. But it was a pivotal moment—watching a manager leave the workforce after her third child—that forever reshaped her understanding of work, caregiving, and opportunity.
Years later, laid off while pregnant, Brea faced a stark reality shared by countless women: the structural rigidity of the workforce often sidelines those with caregiving responsibilities. But instead of stepping back, she stepped forward—and built a solution.
She founded Lions & Tigers, a consultancy designed to keep high-skilled women and underrepresented talent in the workforce through flexible, purpose-driven work. Microsoft became her first client. Together, they created over $34 million in economic access for more than 250 consultants—85% women, 33% people of the global majority—who now work an average of 30 hours per week on high-impact projects across the tech ecosystem.
“When we solve the workplace flexibility challenge for women, everyone benefits,” says Starmer. What began as a solution to a personal challenge has grown into a business model that supports companies contributing over $2 billion to the U.S. economy.
During her time at Microsoft, Brea’s work in public sector marketing programs helped shape her belief that access isn’t just about technology—it’s about design. Her commitment to economic inclusion now drives how businesses across industries reimagine hiring, scaling, and capacity.
Brea Starmer isn’t just building a company—she’s architecting a future where flexible work powers inclusive economies.
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/
