 Good morning innovators and welcome back to Stanford University here in Palo Alto, California. My name is Savannah Peterson and we're delighted to have you here for our all-day coverage of International Women's Day at the Women in Data Science Worldwide Annual Event. Power packed day full of brilliant women that are honestly slightly intimidating even for me to be interviewing but I am delighted to invite and to welcome our second guest of the day. Because thank you so much for being here. It's your first time at the show. First impressions, exciting, good. It is really exciting and it's very inspiring. It is like a family of women from all over the world and that special spirit that WIDS has is really, really touching the core of me and I'm just loving it every minute of being here. Yeah, I can feel it when you say that. I know it's in my chest. I almost got a little emotional showing up today because it's a powerful thing. It's a powerful thing to see so many brilliant, strong women who have had journeys like ours all coming together to share ideas. Speaking of coming together, you are a powerhouse really in an intersectional space within this universe. Anywhere multiple hats both on the academic side as well as the global bridge building side. Talk us through some of those. Absolutely. I feel that this is a moment of intersectionality. For me everything I do right now is driven by doing whatever it takes to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These 17 goals give us a North Star right now for tackling climate change, inclusion, gender equality, making sure we are all connected but that we leave no one behind in our world and I feel that there's a huge role in this for data science and digital innovation and that is where I'm excited about coming in and bringing my community in terms of my hats. One hat is co-president of Stanford Angels and Entrepreneurs which is a community of about 3,000 alumna students, faculty come together in order to advance, kind of help society as well as our own Stanford community here and we look to advance tech innovation entrepreneurship and we are also like a family. Another hat also at Stanford is I chair the Tech and Innovation Advisory Group for the Human Rights and International Justice Center at Stanford University. Wow. And I'm a fellow there and I feel this is a moment to really think about rights dignity and very proud of the work of the center. Yeah. And a third hat in academia jumping across the San Francisco Bay. I'm a Berkeley and Calhoun, Stanford alum. You're really giving the Bay Area a lot of love. And I was going to say my Calhoun across the Bay is I am on the board of an organization called the Center for Effective Global Action at UC Berkeley. Doing brilliant work bringing together data scientists, economists, some of the most brilliant academic minds from all the West Coast schools together in order to bring the power of data science and research to elevate global poverty working with policy makers around the world NGOs. So that is my policy data science world hat and I love the intersectionality. And more recently I'm very excited about two initiatives where building bridges between these brilliant minds in Silicon Valley in Berkeley, Stanford, the business world here and the rest of the world. One of them is via the United Nations. The United Nations is in every part of the world and championing the SDGs. And this bridge building can make a huge change to bring the power of digital innovation but also some of the other resources from this part of the world. And for us to learn more about other parts of the world. So one such initiative is the United Nations Joint SDG Fund Breakthrough Alliance which I'm a founding co-chair of along with fellow Stanford alumna Keith Coleman from Hollywood. And what we are looking to do there is to bring the power of technology, media, markets from our world, from our country to build bridges with the rest of the world in order to collectively create awareness about the sustainable development goals. But also the fund itself looks to catalyze impact investing to achieve these goals. So we bring investors, impact investors, philanthropists, academics all together for catalytic dialogues on what is needed to be done and what can we all do together. And a final organization I'd like to mention which I'm extremely excited about is very nascent is just getting launched is the SDG Digital Transformation and Sustainability Solutions Lab. This one was just announced at COP 28 where myself and fellow Stanford alum Claudia Kogut who is she has the, she's a co-founder of the Stanford Alumni and Sustainability Club. And one of the leading impact investors, founder, CEO of Pegasus Capital Advisors, we are starting this initiative anchored within Pegasus, some capital advisors. And some of the brilliant professors from Stanford, including Professor Emerit Amargo Gettison, have joined the advisory board. And we are looking to build bridges to bring the power of data science and digital innovation to come together and pull in students and solve some of the biggest problems in the world. Working with Pegasus advisors, some such as UNDP gold standard and many others, and seeing what we can do collectively to tackle some of the great challenges of our times. Wow, okay, so first of all, incredible thank you for all that you do. Those are five very different but important hats that certainly intersect in a variety of different ways. Given your lens, how important is it that we collaborate across borders, across agencies, across genders and ages on our collective global sustainability goals? Absolutely critical. In fact, in my talk at WIDS I was saying that that is one of the most important things right now if we are to achieve the sustainable development goals and tackle the great crisis of our times. And also to do that, collaborate in a manner where we think of each other's equals, whether it's an indigenous woman from the high Andes or some of us sitting here in this beautiful place. We are all in this together, whether we like it or not, right? And if we collaborate as equals, hearing each other's voices with a seat at the table for those indigenous women, for those Rohingya refugees in their camps, and a girl in Sub-Saharan Africa, all of us come together. We can do anything. And this is what I think digital innovation and data science enables for us to actually collaborate from where we are, whichever corners of the world we are. Dig in there a little bit more. How does data science and digital innovation empower that exact collaboration? Absolutely. And before that I wanted to mention that there is a goal, a goal 17, partnerships for the goals. And your question relates to that and I believe that is the most important goal right now. And it kind of, in a sense, wants us to collaborate, putting away the biases of our minds and coming together as global citizens. And data science and digital innovation can make a huge difference. I want to talk about one initiative here at Stanford that could enable that. This is the participatory decision making platform and the online deliberation platform. What this does is people can not just get their voices heard from wherever they are using mobile phones, whatever device they have. But they can input into micro decisions. For example, in a city budget, now we don't have to just rely on our council members, we can each vote on every micro decision in the budget. But this can be applied to anything and this is a project I would love to see a large organization's embrace and bring collective voices to get us all heard, but also to participate. And the deliberative polling platform is very powerful. It enables us to debate things with very, even if you have polarized views, listen to each other, come together and the technology actually makes sure everyone gets a voice and how does it do that? Now I've got to dig in because we're here. We just voted. It was just Super Tuesday in California. I worked the polls and I'm all about it. And there's obviously a lot of tense conversations right now. Lots of interesting deliberation and discourse. How does digital innovation help there? Yeah, it helps us be objective. It helps us, at a minimum, listen to the other side. And right now we are feeling so polarized. I feel the same way. All of us feel so strongly in this moment of elections. But I think if we use technology, it helps us slow down for a moment. But it also, the key thing is not talking over each other, not drowning out each other's voices. And this platform that I mentioned enables that. But also, in other forms of technology, helps us if we pause for a minute. And if we look at data, before we answer a question, it enables us to put away a biases and come in with an objective mind. Yes, we all have different views, different values. But at least if we pause for a second, we might be more receptive to other ways of thinking. There was a project I was involved here at Stanford around understanding the biases of our minds. It was looking at the investor ecosystem. Are there racial biases in how funds get allocated? And we found that race does impact how at the top level in the investment industry, how they get allocated. But the professor who was part of the study, Jennifer Eberhardt, has a book biased. It is like a Bible, I read it. And for me, it made me aware, I have my own biases, but the reason I bring it up is she posits that we can tackle our biases. And even a little bit of slowing down and being asked questions makes us think, pause for a second. And that itself, where a large percent of us can slow down and make us put our biases aside for a bit. So these are the ways, if you brought technology, to make us slow down and think for a second in the debates. Not just give air time to other people. We can have much more constructive conversations and come together. Yeah, I love just the notion that our pace can affect our bias. It's pretty earth-shattering. I literally just made a note to read that book now. Thank you for sharing that. Slowing down does make us take a breath. It's easy to get fired up and passionate. And adrenaline kicks into our brains when we go into a defensive mode, if someone doesn't share our opinions. And I think there's something really special about that. I was thinking about that a lot at the polls, because it's a non-electionary, you can't electioneer, right? So no one can really share their politics. But in that moment, it's awesome, because you can feel the energy still. Everyone's excited. And yet, there's this palpable energy that isn't tarnished by sharp comments and inappropriate discourse. So yeah, I think that's super awesome. You said something to me earlier when we were getting ready that really is going to stick with me probably long after this interview. You wanted to talk about holistic sustainability, which to you includes inclusion. Absolutely. There is, to me, there is no sustainability without inclusion. And the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is to leave no one behind. That is inclusion. That is a core tenet on which they're based. To me, sustainability is climate change, a sustainable way of living, where we nurture our planet and don't destroy it. But also, it is having voices at the table. It is making sure that women are treated as equal. People of color are treated at equal. It is ensuring that every human being can live a dignified life, have access to basic resources like education, food, healthcare, water, livelihood. Because that is sustaining humanity. It is making sure that life on land and underwater is conserved, and these are all the goals. And that is why they're called the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The recognition by all world leaders, most world leaders, that these are connected. They are not isolated. And to me, especially inclusion is a core thread that we need to not lose sight of. I really couldn't agree more. I judge the Consumer Electronics Show human sustainability for all category based on the same 17 goals. And it's amazing to see the different types of innovation that the world is creating in multiple different countries around these goals. Do you think that digital innovation and data science is going to make it easier for the world to adopt the SDG goals? I'd say it goes both ways because, I mean, five years ago, being a computer science graduate from Stanford and being in the world of tech and a huge believer in the scalable solutions, non-linear scalable solutions tech can bring, I would have said absolutely yes. Now I say that it goes both ways. Yes, it is a very powerful accelerant of the goals and we can do amazing things if deployed right. But I would also say that I am terrified by the growing digital divide that technology is creating in the world but also some of the challenges happening. Our youth has a mental health pandemic and I do think social media plays a role. So, but don't say a question. If we do things right, if we intentionally deploy technology to help society, I think it could be one of the most powerful factors in achieving the SDGs. We are so behind on achieving these goals. And I think this is the catalyst we need right now. And this is why one of the reasons I'm hoping to pull in some of the brilliant minds in my world to work with the UN to bring that positive power of technology in a thoughtful, responsible manner to achieve the goals. I think that was so beautifully stated. I cannot wait to cut that out for a soundbite for the show. How, what can we do, you and I as leaders, folks listening to the show, anyone involved in this to combat the digital divide? Because I could not agree with you more. I think change begins at home, right? We think the digital divide is only in sub-Saharan Africa, in the rural villages of Bangladesh or India. No, it is everywhere. It is right here in our backyard in Palo Alto, right? There is a difference in what access children in the schools in Palo Alto or East Palo Alto have. It's happening everywhere in every corner of the world. And I think the only way to combat it is recognize it and bring it front and center. And as we bring digital innovation to advance our world at every step, making sure that there is digital equity and thinking and brainstorming what does it take? And when we brainstorm, we want to have those voices, the youth of East Palo Alto at the table. In brainstorming, what is it going to take in solving those problems? And I think we can, but it's a change in mindset, I think much needed in this moment. Seat at the table for even those of us who are well-meaning and want to make a change. We sometimes forget that we have no clue what is going to take to make that change. So seat at the table, seat at the table for whom we consider beneficiaries of the inclusion and listening to them and having them lead and co-design solutions. I feel like we're out of spoken word experience. I would keep on giving you snaps. Everything you've said is so spot on. It hits me in the chest as a woman and a leader and I'm grateful for you saying it. I think one of the things too, I was advising my LinkedIn audience this morning, what can they do to be an ally to women like us today? I said, acknowledge your privilege. Acknowledge that there are people around you not having the same experience that you're having and think about how you could be more inclusive in that. Last couple of questions for you as we wrap up. What would be your, you're obviously inspiring me on the stage. I'm sure you're inspiring other folks listening at home and around the world right now and at the virtual event for WIDS here. What would be your advice to a woman of any age, frankly, considering a career in digital innovation and data science? My advice would be believe in yourself. Demand that seat at the table, especially in the tech industry. It is not that easy. There are intangible barriers, a tangible barriers. Believe in yourself. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Find those mentors but don't be afraid to challenge the system and demand for what is due. Don't let anyone undermine yourself. That happens in the digital innovation world, in the tech industry everywhere. It is not that different. Right, it's a cross-sector. Very well said. One more question for you in that same vein. What would be your advice for allies looking to empower women in our space? There are so many amazing allies especially I love the men allies. And they feel deep empathy. They do amazing things. Yet I would say that nothing substitutes the experience of being a woman. So also step in the shoes, talk to us women, talk to many women and try and understand our world. And that can make them even more effective. And thank you to those allies who want to be there and let us welcome them. We really need that. Yes, we absolutely do. And last but those are great answers. Last but not least, question for you. Are there any women that were very instrumental in your journey that you would like to thank today here on International Women's Day? There have been many amazing women who have helped me with my journey and had a huge role in what I do today. Instead of working in the world of tech, I now work in the world of building bridges for positive change in our world. One woman is Heather Grady, Vice President of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, who met me in a tech party and dragged me to New York to meet people at the UN. And thanks to her, I'm doing a lot of things with the UN. Another amazing mentor has been Miriam Rivera, founding CEO of Ulu Ventures, a Stanford alum, who has been an amazing role model in difficult times, in good times, and who by her passion for funding diverse entrepreneurs and supporting women truly walks the talk. And that inspires me and so many other women. So I really wanted to acknowledge Miriam Rivera and Heather Grady. And a woman I've never met, Amina Muhammad, the number two woman at the UN, Deputy Secretary General Amina Muhammad is an amazing voice of change and of inclusion. So I am deeply inspired by her as well. Wow, well, thank you so much, Ritika. And shout out to all of those brilliant women in your life. And thank all of you for tuning in to this absolutely inspiring, a full day of coverage from Women in Data Science Worldwide Animal Event here in Palo Alto, California at Stanford University. My name's Savannah Peterson. You're watching theCUBE, the leading source for empowered women in tech.