Pronouns: She/her
Karen Emelu is a multi-award-winning community builder, ecosystem strategist, and international speaker working at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and economic participation.
She is the founder of Black Girls in Tech, a global community of over 45,000 members dedicated to expanding opportunities for underrepresented women in technology and innovation. Karen has built partnerships across startups, brands, investors, and institutions, with a focus on African innovation, women-led entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and community-led growth.
She has collaborated with organisations including HSBC, Mastercard, Google, and the Financial Times.
As a speaker, she explores AI, inclusive innovation, emerging markets, and the future of work, advocating for more representative participation in the global economy.