Katarina Rohanyan's incredible journey began at the age of seven when her father introduced her to chess during a period of illness. Her natural talent and dedication soon led her to excel in the game, making her a formidable competitor in Ukraine.

Opportunity knocked when she received a chess scholarship to the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in the United States. During her college years, Katarina continued to shine in the chess world, participating in multiple U.S. championships and representing the U.S. in the 2008 Women's World Chess Championship.

Despite her success in chess, Katarina felt drawn to technology. She recognized the transferable skills between chess and computer science and embarked on a career as a software engineer. Her strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and strong network-building skills from the chess community became valuable assets in her tech career.

Today, Katarina thrives as a tech professional at Google, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Her inspiring journey showcases how chess can shape minds and empower individuals to excel in diverse fields. Katarina's story stands as a testament to the power of pursuing passions and embracing opportunities for lifelong success.

You can read more about Katarina’s story in the full interview here.