Adobe, LinkedIn and Google are among more than 30 leading tech companies in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley that are hosting emerging women tech leaders from 19 countries for an intensive program of mentoring and professional networking this month. Out of more than 2,300 applicants, 90 extraordinary women—the top 4%—from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East have been selected to come to the United States to participate in TechWomen, a five-week program that empowers women for leadership in their fields and their societies. TechWomen, launched in 2011 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), is managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in San Francisco.

In addition to working one-on-one on professional projects with their mentors, the TechWomen Emerging Leaders will attend workshops hosted by program partners to develop projects that address social and environmental issues in their communities. The U.S. Department of State’s Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan said, "The State Department is committed to investing in women across the globe through programs like TechWomen because we know that no country can get ahead if it leaves half of its people behind."