When lived experience fuels innovation, technology becomes more than a tool—it becomes a lifeline for those who need it most.
Simi Olabisi was born into uncertainty—three months premature in Lagos, Nigeria, in a hospital without a working incubator. Today, she helps democratize technologies that save lives, open doors, and scale inclusion across the globe. As a Director, Azure AI at Microsoft, she leads some of the company’s most strategic Azure AI engagements while using her platform to drive equity, representation, and opportunity at scale.
Simi’s personal story of survival inspired Project Omoverhi—a solar-powered, low-cost infant incubator designed for hospitals across Africa that lack consistent electricity. Featured in NBC News, Sierra Club Magazine, and more, the project exemplifies her belief that innovation should be empathetic, inclusive, and accessible.
At Microsoft, she applies that same ethos to global impact. As Co-Chair of Black at Microsoft (BAM) and advocate of Africans at Microsoft, Simi leads team that organizes programming, mentorship, community, and AI education for over 7,500 employees across 40+ countries. BAM’s 2024 GIVE campaign raised $225,000 and funded scholarships for 60+ students pursuing tech careers.
“I was born fighting for my life in a country without equitable access to the technology that could save it. Today, I help democratize technology—all of us deserve a chance to live, to lead, and to thrive.”— Simi Olabisi
Through Caspar Coding, a platform she co-founded, Simi has helped over 10,000 African software engineers upskill and access global job opportunities. She also offers career coaching for women, empowering them to close wage gaps and negotiate with confidence, work that was spotlighted in Glamour Magazine across print, podcast, and video platforms.
From ringing the NASDAQ Closing Bell during Black History Month to speaking at SXSW 2024, Simi is amplifying a global call to build tech that works for everyone. Simi is proof that when we scale innovation with heart, we don’t just build better technology—we build a more equitable world. Her work reminds us that tech is only truly transformative when it’s accessible to all.
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/
