Shanika Hope, serves as Director for Americas & Knowledge, Skills, and Learning at Google.org, where she leads a philanthropic portfolio focused on expanding opportunity through education, workforce development, technology, and cross-sector partnerships.

Over nearly three decades, Shanika’s career has spanned education, technology, government, workforce development, and philanthropy, including leadership roles at Google, Amazon, AWS, Discovery Education, McGraw Hill, and in public education. Recognized by Essence Magazine as “The Great Equalizer”, her work focuses on translating ambitious ideas into strategies and solutions that expand learning and economic opportunity globally. She is particularly interested in how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping education and work—and how leaders can harness innovation while keeping human outcomes at the center. Shanika holds a PhD in Urban Services.