Ruchi Kumari, 22
Ruchi Kumari is a highly extroverted engineer from a small town in Bihar who overcame a lack of resources to become a prominent figure in the hackathon community as a participant, mentor, and organizer. Driven by a passion for collaboration and solving real-world problems rather than just winning, she has made a significant impact by organizing global events like Opportunity Hacks 2024, which connected hackers with NGOs. Inspired by her own mentor, Ruchi is dedicated to paying it forward, having guided over 500 students, particularly young women, to foster an inclusive tech space where everyone feels supported. Her influence extends beyond hackathons through a tech newsletter for over 3,000 women and teaching underprivileged children, all fueled by her core mission to make a positive impact, no matter the scale, and build a community where everyone can belong and thrive.