photographer: dewi van ‘t hoog © | make-up artist: olena tvorcha
christina moreno(she/her)
founder & ceo at she matters
about
as a teenage mother in the united states, i learned what it means to fight against poverty and systemic barriers and to refuse to be defined by them. education opened doors, and i went on to build a career as an international human rights lawyer in the hague. those experiences shaped my belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. i founded she matters in 2017 to change that. we began by supporting refugee and migrant women in the netherlands to build strong careers and futures. today our mission has grown to include all women who want to rise but face systemic barriers, with a strong focus on tech and leadership. by partnering with companies on inclusive recruitment, dei, and leadership development, we drive systemic change — because when women rise, the future rises with them.
why do you think it is important that role models need to be visible?
representation matters. you cannot aspire to what you have never seen. when women from diverse backgrounds are visible in leadership, tech, and spaces of influence, they expand the horizon for others. visibility challenges stereotypes, reshapes systems, and shows women today and the generations to come that their dreams are not only valid but achievable.
she matters
founded in 2017 to support refugee and migrant women in the netherlands, she matters has grown into a social enterprise that empowers all women facing systemic barriers in the labour market, with a strong focus on tech and leadership. through she matters b.v. we partner with companies on inclusive recruitment, dei, and leadership development, while the she matters foundation continues to provide mentorship and career support to refugee and migrant women. our mission is simple: when women rise, the future rises with them.