In the community where Gabriella Echebiri was raised, education and ambition was not a given and survival was the mode. But from an early age, Gabriella made a quiet vow to herself: she wouldn’t let her environment define her future.
She went on to pursue a degree in Mining Engineering, stepping into a male-dominated field where she quickly felt the weight of bias. Despite her qualifications, she found herself boxed in by assumptions about her gender and capabilities. Even at home, her parents, especially her father, hoped she would follow a more conventional and “feminine” path.
But Gabriella wanted something different. Her switch from engineering to product design was a bumpy ride. She even describes it as a tug of war. With no clear roadmap or mentor in the field, she stumbled her way through early design projects. Then, in 2023, a friend told her about the Women Techsters Fellowship. She was reluctant to apply. A year-long program felt like too big a commitment, especially with her already full plate, balancing student life and a job as a social media manager. But months later, when she reconnected with that same friend, she noticed something interesting. Her friend’s design work had become more striking. Gabriella knew she couldn’t afford to sit out another year. She applied to the 2024 cohort.
It was not easy. Juggling school, work, and the intensity of the fellowship stretched her thin. But she kept showing up every day, even when it was hard. That consistency paid off. She soon landed her first international freelance gig through LinkedIn, a milestone she still credits to the simple act of putting herself out there.
Later, another opportunity came through a mentor who believed in her: a product design manager role at Heshbon Technologies. When Gabriella first heard about the job, she was hesitant. It was a senior position. She only had two years of experience. But with the motivation of her facilitators and mentor, she applied anyway.
When the congratulatory email landed in her inbox, she was overjoyed. Today, Gabriella is thriving in a role she once thought was out of reach. She credits the Women Techsters Fellowship and Tech4Dev for creating the structure that helped her grow, not just technically, but personally. “It gave me tools, yes,” she says. “But also, confidence. And a sense that I wasn’t doing this alone.”
Her message to other young women navigating their own crossroads is clear: “Take your mind off perfection. Take the first step. Don’t leave anything to chance. Apply. Network. Be ready. You never know when opportunity will knock.”
Her story was originally featured on our Tech Empowered podcast. To hear her full journey in her own words, click here.
