Winnie Karanja is a visionary builder of tech-forward solutions that enable communities to thrive, from childhood to adulthood, within healthcare to civic life. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur, she has a track record of designing systems that unlock opportunity at scale. Her work takes a systems approach, bringing together different sectors to address the important challenges shaping our world.
“ Winnie Karanja will persist in leading social change marked with intentionality and ingenuity to disrupt the gap in representation in STEM fields.”
Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor of City of Madison, Wisconsin
Speaking at companies and conferences nationwide, Winnie is stirring industries with her presence, unique voice, and nuanced perspectives.
Speaking at companies, academic institutions, and conferences nationwide, Winnie Karanja inspires audiences with her expertise in designing innovative, tech-driven solutions that foster equity and systemic change. From building platforms that expand civic participation, to designing impact measurement tools for mission-driven organizations, to leading sustained efforts in pediatric asthma and care access, Winnie Karanja speaks across the country, captivating audiences with her transformative insights on inclusive leadership, and tech-driven systems change. She has delivered keynotes at UW-Madison, Exact Sciences, Northwestern Mutual and more. Whether addressing culturally relevant education, bias in technology, or inclusive research practices, Winnie makes complex ideas engaging. and personal.
Lauded as a Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur, Winnie Karanja continues to drive social change with fresh ideas.
Grounded in the pursuit of racial and gender equality in the STEM fields, she launched Nakira’s World, an award-winning collection of products, educational STEM curriculum and animated series catered to fostering curiosity and STEM literacy for children in preK-2nd grade.
Winnie is the Founder of Maydm, an organization focused on teaching 6-12th grade students computer science and placing them in paid tech and engineer based internships.
Driving change across systems, Winnie partners with organizations to design bold, equity-centered solutions that transform how people learn, work, and lead.
In all her endeavors, Winnie brings with her unwavering excellence, capacious energy, and impeccable implementation. She has collaborated with organizations such as Exact Sciences, Northwestern Mutual, Rockwell Automation, and leading academic institutions to build creative, future-focused talent development initiatives. While rooted in equity, Winnie’s consulting work increasingly centers on large-scale, tech-integrated solutions, spanning change management, agricultural innovation, healthcare, and education, to help organizations navigate complexity and drive transformative, cross-sector change.
“When faced with a confounding problem such as racial disparities in society or the lack of women in STEM, many of us might throw up our hands, wonder what we can do or donate to a cause-related non profit. Not Winnie Karanja – she tackles problems at the root cause.”
“Winnie’s work develops accessible and experiential curriculum for all ages disguised in collaborative ways of working that address critical areas like problem-solving and technical skills.”
“Our city is a better overall community thanks in large to Winnie’s excellent work.”
“She is driven by a fierce commitment to the future health and leadership of girls of color – and knows better than most what the path looks like and how to navigate it successfully.”
“Winnie is a person I am blessed to have met professionally and come to know more personally. Her unwavering commitment and strength in perseverance to this cause [STEM equity] is remarkable.”
“I got to see Winnie meet the inevitable challenges of building a nonprofit. She did so with grace, authenticity and an acute perspicuity I had not seen before.”
