Girls Who Code founder, Reshma Saujani, is starting a bravery revolution

Reshma Saujani wears many hats: founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, best-selling author, and failure advocate. Reshma filled us in on living a life of bravery, not perfection.

Creator of… Girls Who Code, an organization providing free after-school computer science programs for girls across the country.

Resume also includes… being a best-selling author of three books. Her recent book, Brave, Not Perfect, is based off her viral TED talk.

Her inspiration comes from… the 185,000 girls taking part in Girls Who Code — she’s seen girls code apps to combat bullying, raise awareness about climate change, and support immigrants in their communities.

Key to closing the gender gap… is teaching girls and women to be brave, not perfect. Bravery is the key to getting more women into positions of leadership and creating a more equitable world.

Favorite activity in NYC… is going to Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science with her son, Shaan (see Maker Faire for yourself when it returns this September).

Favorite simple pleasure… is a chocolate chip cookie.

Bravery motto… is that bravery isn’t about slaying dragons or climbing mountains — it’s about giving yourself permission to be imperfect.

Starts her day… at Performix House in NYC's Flatiron District (she recommends her trainer, Heidi).

Favorite reads… include Becoming by Michelle Obama and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.

First Summit event… was Summit at Sea with her then-boyfriend, who almost proposed to her while aboard — now they’re happily married.

As an author… she’s addressing the perfection epidemic. She’s heard from so many women who identify with the fear of failure, and loves seeing them finally realize that bravery is the key to unlocking a more joyful, fulfilling life.

Travel hack… is using Rent the Runway. Because she travels so much – whether she’s on a book tour or visiting Girls Who Code clubs across the country – she loves having an unlimited closet at her disposal.

Spends the most time with… her husband, Nihal, her son Shaan, and their dog, Stanley.

Loves Summit for… the one-of-a-kind experience it offers to recharge your creativity and sync up with people who are leaders in their fields.

Will never pass up… taking a scoop of candy from public candy bowls to bring to her son.

Next on her list... is igniting a bravery revolution.