#DisruptiveDiplomacy
When most of us think of diplomacy, images of long tables with microphones at the UN or intense closed-door meetings may come to mind. But there is a powerful path for citizen diplomacy via an international, multifaceted exchange program: TechWomen. Launched by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2011, TechWomen offers a disruptive approach to diplomacy by offering mentorship to hundreds of women from Kenya, Palestine, and Kazakhstan, and other developing countries, at innovative companies and non-profits based in Silicon Valley. Nearly 1,000 participants from more than 20 countries have been united by their passion for STEM and mission to make an impact on their communities.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
![photo of Claudia Galvan](https://img.sxsw.com/2017/presenters/266069.jpg)
Claudia Galvan
Early Stage Innovation
![photo of Lucie Newcomb](https://img.sxsw.com/2017/presenters/266087.jpg)
Lucie Newcomb
The NewComm Global Group Inc
![photo of Arezoo Riahi](https://img.sxsw.com/2017/presenters/266075.jpg)
Arezoo Riahi
IIE
![photo of Tina Shakour](https://img.sxsw.com/2017/presenters/266055.jpg)
Tina Shakour
Red Bird Marketing