30 Years of Impact Generational Change Support Inspiration
ada hardy
TTIP | Class of 1996
Sr. Procurement Solutions Manager
Microsoft
The investment that TAF made in me at 17 years old changed the trajectory of my life.
A Life Changed by Opportunity
When Ada Hardy heard about TAF's new Technical Teens Internship Program as a high school student in Seattle, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of it. A self-proclaimed "tech nerd" with dreams of becoming a computer programmer, Ada saw an opportunity to turn her passion into a career. When she heard about TTIP from her math teacher, she says a light bulb went off in her head and she knew she had to apply. Thirty years later, she still considers that decision one of the most transformative moments of her life.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
As a member of the original class of kids in the after school Technical Teens Internship Program in 1996, Ada gained hands-on technology training and professional experience long before graduation and post-secondary life. Through TAF, she secured internships at companies including RealNetworks and a subsidiary of ABC News in Bellevue, where she worked on web development projects and learned how to navigate corporate environments as a teenager.
Looking back, she is still amazed by the opportunities TAF created for young people.
I had a job at a corporation as a kid. Who does that? TAF made us ready for that.
Those early experiences taught Ada technical skills, professional confidence, and the ability to advocate for herself—lessons that would stay with her throughout her career.
Building a Career in Business and Technology
One lesson from her time at TAF has guided her every step of the way:
Be resilient. Continue to invest in yourself. Learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.
After earning her degree from Seattle University, Ada built a successful career spanning supply chain management, sales, and marketing roles with companies including Starbucks and T-Mobile before eventually joining Microsoft.
Today, she has spent more than a decade at Microsoft, where she continues to grow as a leader while remaining deeply connected to the technology industry that first captured her imagination as a teenager.
The Power of Relationships
Throughout her journey, Ada has been inspired by mentors, family members, and community leaders who showed her what perseverance and leadership look like. She credits her parents with instilling a strong work ethic and lifelong love of learning, while also drawing inspiration from TAF Founder and CEO Trish Millines Dziko.
For Ada, mentorship isn't limited by age or title.
Mentorship can come from anywhere. You have to be open and make the investment.
She believes some of her greatest mentors have been friends and peers who have helped her navigate life's challenges, celebrate successes, and continue growing personally and professionally.
Looking Ahead
Today, Ada is pursuing her MBA and exploring the possibility of earning a doctorate. She is passionate about ensuring that women and people of color help shape the future of emerging technologies rather than simply adapting to them.
She hopes to contribute to higher education, research, and the future of ethical technology, especially as artificial intelligence transforms how people work and learn.
Generational Change in Action
I really don't know where I'd be without that experience. It was such a valuable, meaningful time.
Ada's story reflects the vision that launched TAF three decades ago: creating opportunities for students of color to access careers, networks, and experiences that can change the course of their lives.
As one of the earliest Technical Teens Internship Program participants, Ada represents the generational impact of investing in young people and trusting their potential.
