Juliana Rotich stands as a pioneering technologist whose visionary leadership has fundamentally reshaped digital inclusion across Africa and globally. Born in Kenya in 1977, she cultivated her passion for technology through her high school computer club before earning a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Rotich launched her professional journey in the late 1990s with technology positions at major corporations including Sprint Nextel Corporation and Hewitt Associates, where she developed expertise in database management and information systems. Her career has uniquely bridged both American and African technology ecosystems, establishing her as a distinguished figure who leverages technical expertise to address socioeconomic challenges through innovative digital solutions.
Rotich's most transformative contribution emerged in 2008 when she co-founded Ushahidi, an open-source crisis mapping platform that revolutionized real-time information sharing during emergencies. Created in response to Kenya's political violence following the disputed 2007 election, the platform enables crowdsourced incident reporting through mobile phones and internet connectivity, transforming raw data into actionable visual maps for communities and responders. Ushahidi's impact has expanded globally with deployments across 160 countries for applications ranging from natural disaster response to civil conflict monitoring and hate speech documentation. She further extended her technological influence by co-founding BRCK, which developed a rugged self-powered mobile Wi-Fi device that provides reliable internet access in regions with unstable infrastructure, effectively bringing connectivity to the most underserved communities.
As a globally recognized technologist and strategic advisor, Rotich serves on influential councils including BASF, and has served as a trustee or advisor on the Microsoft 4Afrika Advisory Council; she is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and has previously served on WEF councils including the Global Future Council on the New Agenda for Economic Growth and Recovery, but there is no confirmation she currently serves on the Global Agenda Council on Data Driven Development, while championing science education and digital literacy initiatives. Her prestigious recognition as an MIT Media Lab Director's Fellow and TED Senior Fellow underscores her standing as a thought leader who bridges technology and social impact. Rotich continues to drive innovation through BRCK.org where she is a co-founder and has served as executive director of BRCK.org, the not-for-profit affiliate of BRCK Inc., but is no longer listed as serving in that role as of 2022; her current position is Head of Fintech Integration Solutions at Safaricom PLC, focusing on deploying reliable technology for marginalized communities while advocating for inclusive internet access policies. Her enduring mission to make things, fix problems, and help others remains the cornerstone of her work, positioning her as a transformative force in shaping Africa's digital future through practical technological solutions that empower communities worldwide.
