Change begins with a single bold step.
For Nickie Smith, that step started in a basement in Seattle, where she co-founded Be Bold for Change, a grassroots initiative that has grown into a global movement empowering women and girls to lead change.
“As we look ahead, I remain deeply committed to expanding access to technology, leadership, and economic opportunities for all women and girls. The work is far from over—but through continued innovation, collaboration, and bold action, we can accelerate progress together.” — Nickie Smith
While working at Microsoft, Nickie co-founded Be Bold Now, an intergenerational community event designed to amplify the voices of everyday women changemakers. Over the past decade, this platform has expanded from Seattle to London and Paris, with plans to reach Sydney and Singapore. Through 90+ speaker stories and a global network of 4,000+ changemakers, the movement has ignited conversations, influenced policies, and empowered women to take action.
After leaving Microsoft in 2022, Nickie launched Be Bold Girls, a leadership program designed by girls, for girls. In just two years, the initiative has empowered 600+ young leaders across 95+ schools in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, equipping them with mentorship, skills development, and advocacy training. These young changemakers aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re shaping it now, with 10 teams recognized for their innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges.
Be Bold for Change is powered entirely by volunteers—many of whom are current or former Microsoft employees. Their expertise in technology, mentorship, and fundraising has helped scale impact, from building dashboards to facilitating tech-for-good workshops. Nickie’s leadership has proven that when women believe in themselves and activate change from where they are today, we don’t have to wait 131+ years for gender parity—we can make it happen now.
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/
