Julissa Toledo, 2026 Reshma Saujani Girls First Leadership Award Winner

Since 2023, Girls Who Code has recognized one outstanding alumna who exemplifies our values of bravery, leadership, and sisterhood with the Reshma Saujani Girls First Leadership Award. Julissa Toledo, a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, is the 2026 recipient of the award. 

Julissa works as an Associate Project Manager supporting cybersecurity initiatives, with a focus on large-scale system modernization efforts. In her role, she collaborates across technical and business teams to help deliver secure, scalable, and user-centered technology solutions. 

Born and raised in New York, she brings a strong sense of community to her work in tech. Julissa earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University. She participated in the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program in 2015, an experience that further strengthened her interest in technology and helped shape her long-term path in the field. 

As a Latina in tech, Julissa is committed to increasing representation and expanding access to opportunities in the field. Beyond her academic and professional work, she mentors through City Year New York and supports recruiting and outreach efforts at GWU to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology. 

Julissa demonstrates the potential of our students and the values we instill. From summer program participant to earning degrees in computer science and building a career in cybersecurity, she reflects the bravery we hope the girls and young women in our community gain. 

We spoke with Julissa about her journey and her advice for the next generation:

How did you become interested in working in tech?

Growing up, I spent a lot of time on the computer. I became the go-to person for fixing issues at home, and over time, I realized I genuinely enjoyed problem-solving.

As I got older, that curiosity evolved into a deeper interest in how technology works behind the scenes. I became particularly interested in the role of security. Today, I work in cybersecurity consulting, helping secure systems and improve how people interact with technology.

How did you first get connected to Girls Who Code, and what has that experience meant to you?

I first got introduced to Girls Who Code through the Summer Immersion Program as a rising senior in high school in 2015. Being surrounded by young women who shared my interest in technology created an energy that was both empowering and contagious.

Girls Who Code didn’t just teach me how to code; it gave me the confidence to believe I belonged in this space and the foundation to build a career in it.

What do you want the next generation of women in tech to feel or know that you didn't?

I want the next generation of women in tech to remain lifelong learners. Technology is constantly evolving, and so can you. You can always start again, pivot, and grow into something new.  

The goal isn’t to know everything. Stay curious, adaptable, and open to learning. When you combine that mindset with environments that support and celebrate you, there’s no limit to what you can build.

Congratulations, Julissa! We can’t wait to see what you build next.