Girls Who Code Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tarika Barrett Announces She Will Step Down in 2026
Girls Who Code Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tarika Barrett Announces She Will Step Down in 2026
Board Lauds Barrett’s Record of Accomplishment and Announces Search for Successor
New York, NY - January 13, 2026 – The Board of Directors of Girls Who Code announced today that Dr. Tarika Barrett will depart from her role as CEO of Girls Who Code this summer. After more than a decade of transformative leadership at the nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology—including five years as CEO—Dr. Barrett will step down to focus on her family and explore her next chapter. The Board of Directors has launched a search for her successor.
“Tarika has consistently championed Girls Who Code’s mission, and her dedication to supporting girls and nonbinary youth has elevated the organization to new levels as a top nonprofit," said Carol Juel, Chair of Girls Who Code’s Board of Directors and Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operating Officer at Synchrony. “We appreciate Tarika’s leadership and a decade of service to the organization, which has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of girls, propelling them into careers in tech but also shaping them into changemakers.”
“Throughout her tenure as CEO, she navigated a rapidly evolving tech landscape with vision and determination,” said Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code. “From launching our Pathways program to creating an innovative AI curriculum that has served over 70,000 students, Tarika strengthened the sisterhood that defines this organization. She is an incredible role model and her work with Girls Who Code will have an enduring impact on generations of girls.”
Barrett joined Girls Who Code in 2016 and became CEO in 2021. She spearheaded the organization’s Five by Five initiative, launched in 2025 to reach 5 million girls, women, and nonbinary individuals by 2030, and reimagine the organization’s programming to meet the demands of emerging technologies, including AI and cybersecurity. Under Barrett’s leadership, new virtual programs, including self-paced courses, enabled Girls Who Code to expand its flagship summer program by 500%. She led the development of platforms such as Speak On It to amplify youth voices in AI. She also launched marketing campaigns, including DojaCode, the world’s first codable music video with Doja Cat. These initiatives have strengthened Girls Who Code’s position as a leader in tech education.
She oversaw the creation of the Alumni Advisory Council, a group of selected Girls Who Code alumni who serve as a vital voice in shaping the organization’s programs, and the Cyber Education Alliance, a coalition of 19 organizations committed to safeguarding kids online. In 2024, Barrett co-chaired New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Emerging Technology Advisory Board. During her tenure as CEO, Girls Who Code was named by The Nonprofit Times for three consecutive years as one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For and recognized as one of Fast Company’s Brands That Matter.
“Joining this organization united my passions and purpose. What followed has been extraordinary. Together, we have expanded this movement, strengthened our work, and built a community that continues to inspire me daily. I am profoundly proud of how Girls Who Code has evolved under our collective leadership—growing in both scale and influence while staying true to our founding mission. As I turn the page on this chapter, I leave with deep gratitude and pride. The work continues, and I know that the tech industry will be stronger, more innovative, and more equitable because of the young leaders Girls Who Code has prepared to shape its future,” said Barrett.
Girls Who Code has engaged Bridge Partners in its search for the organization’s next leader. Qualified candidates are invited to learn more about the role and apply at this link.
Priority will be given to applications submitted by February 16, 2026. Applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.
About Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology. The organization has served over 760,000 students and is at the forefront of equipping the next generation to thrive in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Girls Who Code’s work has generated 14.9 billion impressions globally, with notable campaigns such as DojaCode, the world’s first codable music video with Doja Cat.
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