Linda Liukas recognised for global impact

The awards took place in London, where female winners from eight categories were recognised for their work in the global technology industry. The winners inspire future generations, have a positive impact on their communities and create innovative products and experiences.

The Playmaker of the Year Award is given to a person who has been the most influential in innovating and driving social change at the global level. Linda Liukas‘ projects Rails Girls and Hello Ruby impressed the judges and won her the award.

“Initiatives like this help women feel seen and more widely recognised in general, as well as help to forge important and lasting relationships among like-minded, brilliant, world-changing women who work in the tech industry,” commented Liukas.

Both projects increase accessibility to technology on a global scale. The Kickstarter-funded Hello Ruby books teach kids aged five and older about coding and programming. The books have topped the charts on Amazon Japan and received worldwide praise.

Rails Girls has sprouted from its beginning in 2010 to a global non-profit community, teaching coding in workshops around the world.

“Technology for me is about self-expression, creativity and joy. Women have so much to offer to the tech world and often make the mistake of trying to fit in too much,” Liukas explained. “The moment I decided to step into my own possibility and curiosity, I started to build a career that looks like me.”

Liukas answered our 10 questions back in 2016. Check out her answers here.