Lorena Orosco

Chilean social entrepreneur behind She Leads, a global network supporting women in tech leadership roles.

Introduction

Lorena Orosco is the founder of She Leads, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women in technology leadership. Established in 2018, She Leads has become a vital resource for women in Latin America and beyond, offering mentorship programs, leadership training, and networking opportunities.

Background and Motivation

Orosco's journey began in Santiago, Chile, where she studied engineering at Universidad Católica. Working in Silicon Valley tech firms revealed stark gender disparities in leadership roles. She returned to Chile determined to create pathways for local women to thrive in tech sectors.

She Leads Initiatives

The organization's core programs include:

• Annual leadership summits connecting 500+ women annually
• Online courses on negotiation and innovation leadership
• Incubation programs for female-founded startups
• Corporate partnerships with companies like Rio Tinto and Cisco

By 2023, She Leads had supported over 10,000 women in 15 countries, with 70% of participants securing leadership promotions.

Impact and Awards

Key milestones include:

• Recipient of UN Women's Changemaker Award (2021)
• Featured in Forbes' 'Most Influential Women in Tech' list
• Partnership with Microsoft for AI ethics training programs

Challenges Faced

Key challenges included:

1. Cultural stereotypes about women in tech
2. Funding limitations for non-profit operations
3. Expanding reach beyond Chile

Orosco tackled these through bilingual content, corporate CSR funding, and strategic alliances with regional governments.

Future Aspirations

Plans include creating a global certification for women in tech leadership and launching a venture capital fund specifically for female entrepreneurs in Latin America.

Legacy

By dismantling barriers to women's leadership in tech, Lorena Orosco is not only empowering individuals but also redefining the cultural narrative around gender and innovation in the digital age.