Meet Aleesha B. (she/her), a New Face of Tech winner who is studying mechanical and biomedical engineering at Columbia University.

What is your dream?

My dream is to fully utilize my education to deepen my understanding of both my passions and the diverse communities that shape our world. I am driven to pursue engineering not only as a technical discipline, but as a tool for social justice, advocacy, and humanitarian impact. I believe meaningful progress is rooted in community, mutual aid, and empathy, and I want to be a force that advances those values through my work. As I continue through undergraduate and graduate studies, my goal is to create change that centers humanity within engineering and to serve as a role model for other girls like me who aspire to enter and thrive in this field.

Please share how you feel about the win and what impact it will have on your career.

“A seed starts by growing down. That’s the hard work no one sees. But you have to do that work before you can break the surface.” — Eliud Kipchoge

This quote deeply resonates with how I feel about receiving this scholarship because it honors the unseen growth this opportunity is propelling. My background was never rich in wealth, influence, or access, but it was rich in community. As a woman from a low-income South Asian household, I was not afforded early exposure or encouragement in engineering, despite my interest and determination. Grants like this and networks such as 1,000 Dreams Fund make my efforts and aspirations tangible, transforming years of quiet labor into visible possibility. This win is another seed—one with immense potential—fueling my passion, strengthening my confidence, and empowering me to build a career in engineering that truly matters.

What advice do you have for other women reaching for their dreams?

As a woman committed to succeeding in a male-dominated field, I have experienced both the challenges and resilience that come with being the only woman in a room—being talked over, underestimated, and at times dehumanized because of my gender. Despite these obstacles, I am proud that I have continued to push through adversity while staying true to my passions and goals, and I wish the same perseverance and fulfillment for other women reaching for their dreams.

My advice is to go to places where you are told you do not belong, to do the things that scare you, and to create space for yourself where none seems to exist. When we conform to the barriers and gender gaps placed around us, we limit our potential—but when we challenge them, we redefine what is possible. I want to succeed not only for myself and my family, but for the girls who are searching for role models in tech and STEM. Women deserve success, purpose-driven careers, and space—and I believe we must claim it boldly.