The Power List: Juliana Rotich Uses Technology To Make A Global Impact

Imagine using the power of the web and technology to help people around the world. Well that's exactly what Juliana Rotich decided to do.

As the co-founder of Ushahidi.com, Rotich has managed to raise awareness of global crises. The site, which gets its name from the Swahili word meaning "testimony," was originally inspired by the violence that erupted in Kenya during the 2007-2008 presidential election. It served as a means for the media to cover the crisis effectively and put pressure on the government to stop. Now, the software has expanded for situations in Congo, Haiti and Chile.

Rotich, a native of Kenya, got her degree in computer science from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She is a frequent public speaker, an editor of Global Voices Online, a senior fellow at Technology Entertainment, Design, and a blogger for Afromusing.com. She is currently working on an initiative to create a second, improved version of Ushahidi.

In 2011, Rotich was listed as one of The Guardian's Top 100 Women. With her expertise in software and technology, and her desire to create and share new ideas, there's no telling where she's headed in 2012.