Nyasia Sarfo is Sr. Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager at Microsoft.
Nyasia is genuinely committed to creating lasting and meaningful change. Her passion for people coupled with an unrelenting determination to create meaningful change is what drives her to do what she does every day at work.
Especially for the WomenTech Network, Nyasia agreed to give an interview and share her story.
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Congratulations on winning a WomenTech Network Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Role Model Award! How did it feel when you found out you had won?
Diversity & Inclusion work is not always easy but it is necessary. As a natural-born leader committed to cultivating intellectually courageous, socially responsible, and authentic environments through Diversity & Inclusion, where both organizations and their employees can thrive, I feel blessed and privileged to make a difference in the lives of others. I have a sincere passion for people and am dedicated to creating meaningful change while providing opportunities for others to feel empowered, educated, and inspired to live their best lives. To be recognized for this work is a true honor.
Tell us about your background, journey in tech, and what inspired you to develop your career in this direction.
To be honest, I never considered a career in tech; tech found me. "You want to find a job doing something you love, then it doesn't feel like a job at all." This is something my mother instilled into my brother and me at a young age and it has always stuck with me. To help us identify and ultimately cultivate what we loved, she would make us write down what our ideal lives entailed. Each list I made always had a reference to encouraging, helping, inspiring, and supporting others.
As a black woman, I've been in the field of Diversity and Inclusion my entire life, from a young girl being taught the importance of self and why my black skin and kinky hair were beautiful to a teenager being featured in Time Magazine expressing my views on feminism and women's equality to now as an adult being a voice and fighting for marginalized groups. My initial career plan was to become an attorney and the sole purpose was to be an advocate and for me, Diversity and Inclusion are an extension of that.
Any advice you would like to give to girls in STEM on pursuing their dreams?
Make a list of your ideal job. Take inventory of the things you like to do, think back to times when you were flourishing and happy, and try to find a job aligning with those passions. And WHEN you get in that space, know that you deserve to be there. In addition, begin compiling your personal Board of Directors. A personal board of directors is a group of individuals that you assemble to help you navigate your career and life in general. Tap into your board of directors, we all have moments where we second guess or doubt ourselves but these people who you've assembled are there to remind you to tap into your greatness.
