Holly Boothroyd

I am a Microsoft Software Engineer 2 originally from Seattle who has worked on multiple globally released products including Paint 3D, Xbox, Cortana in Windows, the Edge browser’s New Tab page, and most recently the File Explorer Home page. My code is used by millions daily world-wide!

Within Microsoft, I lead several initiatives to uplift underrepresented groups in tech, such as spearheading the engineering internship program expansion and co-leading the Women @ Microsoft Professional Development event series.

Motivated to create the change I wished to see, I founded HerHelloWorld – now a 100k-strong online global community of technologists focused on providing tech and career advice. My mission is to educate and empower underrepresented communities to enter and thrive in tech in pursuit of an industry that creates products with everyone in mind.

Alongside collaborating with multiple well-known STEM organizations and producing regular content for Instagram and TikTok, I’ve also created a set of tools designed to help people advance people their careers.

My 100 Days of Code Daily Journals, used by thousands globally, help develop a learning plan, track progress, and stay motivated whilst learning to code and my 60+ page practical Career Guide covers essential career topics to democratize career coaching.

I have a BSc (Hons) in Computing and Information Technology from the University of Surrey, where I was awarded the IBM Prize for Best Final Year Performance, IBM Prize for Excellent Placement Year Performance, and Best Placement Student of the Year for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Science.