Mahrinah von Schlegel
Chicago's tech startup scene has produced a number of innovative leaders, but Mahrinah von Schlegel might be the most unique. Part founder of/consultant for tech startups (she consults for I365, a firm that helps early and mid-stage startups enhance their enterprise value) and part diplomat, Mahrinah has spoken internationally about startup ecosystems with a focus on inclusion and diversity. In 2012, she founded the first diversity-focused tech incubator in the Midwest, now Embassy2.0, a global NGO that advocates and builds opportunity for international technology startup businesses.
Mahrinah, who embodies diversity as a Jewish woman in tech not to mention having both Sephardic and Native American heritage, is also involved Jewishly on a global scale through AJC ACCESS and she regularly mentors and advises people and organizations in her areas of expertise. She believes passionately in the power of tech to develop economies and bridge people together internationally to improve our world.
Age:
30
Primary gig:
Domestic New Market Entry consulting for growth stage startups and companies (I365); run a small NGO (Embassy2.0) that does special projects in digital diplomacy.
On the side:
I manage a group of women rappers called the Rapper Chicks (hashtag #RapperChicks!). Lots of side projects and secret talents.
Relationship status:
Serial first dater
How do you give back?
Mentorship, support, engagement, public speaking -- most importantly VISIBILITY. There aren't a lot of people like me in tech and I think the most important thing I can do is to celebrate and normalize that, while keeping the door open for others.
Celebrity doppelganger/who would play you in a movie:
We’d have to use the Weird Science computer to create a mash-up of Alec Ross and Daenerys Targaryen.
How do you Jew in Chicago?
I really can't say enough about how rewarding my involvement with AJC has been. I try to attend and support as much of their programming and international/intercultural relationship-building opportunities as possible.
