‘Purpose over profit': Seattle tech leader urges UW CSE grads to create a better future for everyone

Geek Wire

6 hours ago

Trish Millines Dziko delivers her commencement speech to the graduating class at the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering last weekend. (UW Photo / Matt Hagen)
When she left her career in the tech industry to start the Seattle-based Technology Access Foundation, executive director Trish Millines Dziko did so with the intention of lifting up and providing greater opportunity to traditionally underserved students.
In a commencement speech to the 2025 graduating class of the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Millines Dziko urged the future entrepreneurs and tech workers to reflect upon the haves and have nots, the economic disparity in the U.S., and what the grads will do to combat society's most pressing problems.
'I believe you all instinctively know the world doesn't need more billionaires who just continue to build wealth,' Millines Dziko said. 'Our country, our world, needs more builders, more healers, more people who care enough to fix what's broken.'
'You can use your critical thinking, problem solving, ideation, creation and leadership skills to build solutions to some of the most pressing problems like homelessness, generational poverty, public education, the environment and healthcare,' Trish Millines Dziko said. (UW Photo / Matt Hagen)
A former Microsoft program manager and senior diversity administrator, Millines Dziko has served for nearly 29 years as head of TAF, which offers an equity-driven STEM education program focused on critical thinking and project-based learning.
In her speech (below), Millines Dziko told graduates that millions of people possess the same skills they do, and millions more will follow. Prioritizing relationships and building social capital will be a key to future success, especially if the students demonstrate the ability to be capable, reliable, honest, empathetic, and accountable in those relationships.
'I want you to understand that true impact doesn't come from what you accumulate, but from what you contribute,' she said. 'I hope you pursue purpose over profit, and let your values lead your vision.'
Watch the speech (starting at 5:15 mark) and read the transcript in full:
'Over the last nearly seven decades of my life, the United States has been pushing the envelope on technology and engineering and for the most part leading the world.
However, with the evolution of technology came the devolution of how we as humans carry ourselves – I'm speaking of how we view each other's value, and how we communicate.
While we've developed some of the most amazing technologies and patted ourselves on the back for creating them, we seemed to ignore two pivotal outcomes that have changed us as a society:
The gaps between the haves and the have nots has widened.
And we no longer know how to effectively communicate face to face, with empathy and understanding.
The top 10% of households control 60-70% of the nation's wealth, while the top 1% alone hold approximately 30-35%. And conversely, the bottom 50% of households hold less than 5% of the total wealth.
And when I think about that, what that says to me is at least half of our citizens in this country are three bad months away from being homeless, and the trend doesn't seem to be changing for the better.
When I look at our communication, we are so busy using technology as a proxy for engagement that we no longer listen — and I mean really listen to each other.
Now obviously technology and our pursuit of it is not the sole cause of the ills of our society, but it's a major contributor. And when I look back, I believe that we could have and should have done better. We either didn't know to take the time to reflect, or we just didn't think it was important enough. So here we are.
Graduates, you've studied through some interesting and challenging times, and you've seen firsthand the impact of our economic disparities. You see it every day just walking down the Ave or walking in the community around this university.
With all the wealth we have in this nation, we could be better, but it seems we don't have the collective will.
But I believe you all instinctively know the world doesn't need more billionaires who just continue to build wealth. Our country, our world, needs more builders, more healers, more people who care enough to fix what's broken.
You can use your critical thinking, problem solving, ideation, creation and leadership skills to build solutions to some of the most pressing problems like homelessness, generational poverty, public education, the environment and healthcare.
In the words of the late great writer, James Baldwin, 'Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.'
Now to be clear, no matter what avenue you pursue, you must put in some serious work. As someone who has managed people and built and led three companies, I can confidently tell you that your technical skills are only going to take you but so far. There are literally millions of people with the same skills you have today, and there will be millions more to follow. All that hard work you put in to getting good grades and to be seen by prospective employers is just the beginning.
Whether you pursue entrepreneurship or decide to work in a corporation, you need to prioritize relationships if you're going to grow. In other words, build social capital. You can use technology, engineering and social capital as the vehicle to creating a better future for everyone.
I'm not talking about transactional relationships. I'm talking about relationships where there is a mutual benefit. Relationships where you are capable, reliable, honest, empathetic, and accountable:
Show you are capable and knowledgeable in your field. Build trust by demonstrating your ability to handle situations and deliver results.
and knowledgeable in your field. Build trust by demonstrating your ability to handle situations and deliver results. Prove your reliability by being consistent and dependable in your actions and words. Keep promises, follow through on commitments, and be trustworthy.
by being consistent and dependable in your actions and words. Keep promises, follow through on commitments, and be trustworthy. Be truthful and transparent in your dealings. This includes being upfront about your capabilities, mistakes, and intentions.
in your dealings. This includes being upfront about your capabilities, mistakes, and intentions. Show empathy by understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Connect with people on a deeper level and build stronger relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
by understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Connect with people on a deeper level and build stronger relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. Be accountable by taking responsibility for your actions, both successes and failures. Show that you have integrity and are willing to learn from mistakes.
As my friend Bill Spruill says, consider social capital like your credit score. You can't buy much with a sub-600 score, but when you raise it up through positive actions and interactions, you can get the things you need to build your future. But one late payment, or in the case of social capital, one damaged relationship, you likely will have to start over because bad actions spread faster than the good ones do.
Personally, I have found that keeping healthy, working and growing social capital is easy if you take the time to know who you really are and stay true to your authentic self no matter what environment you find yourself in.
Graduates, I want you to understand that true impact doesn't come from what you accumulate, but from what you contribute. I hope you pursue purpose over profit, and let your values lead your vision.
Please, please create solutions that lift people up and improve communities. Because in the end, changing the world isn't about being remembered — it's about doing things worth remembering.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. Go out and build a life that matters. Thank you.'
— Trish Millines Dziko