About Altrese

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Altrese Hawkins-Gopie is a respected technology leader, community advocate, wife, and mother of four whose life’s work centers on service, ethical leadership, and empowerment. She is known for bridging the gap between emerging technologies and the communities that need them most — ensuring that innovation is not only safe and governed but also accessible, empowering, and equitable.

In her role as a Responsible AI Group Program Manager at Microsoft, Altrese leads the development, governance, and oversight of safe, ethical, and trustworthy AI systems. She drives Responsible AI operationalization across the Finance organization and the Office of the COO — an ecosystem of over 43,000 people — ensuring responsible innovation is embedded across people, processes, and tools. As a Responsible AI Architect, she designs the frameworks, governance structures, and implementation pathways that make responsible innovation real, sustainable, and actionable at scale.

Altrese’s academic journey reflects a lifetime commitment to excellence, discipline, and curiosity. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis, triple majoring in:

• Biology
   
• Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience concentration)
   
• Chemistry (Biochemistry concentration)
   

She went on to complete her Master of Biomedical Sciences at Barry University and later earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Florida.

In 2025, she was inducted into the University of Memphis Hall of Fame for her combined achievements in academics, athletics, leadership, and community impact.

Her personal and professional record reflects decades of responsibility and strong moral character. She has never had a DUI, arrest, or any criminal history. Throughout elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and graduate school, she has never received a detention, suspension, expulsion, or disciplinary action of any kind — a testament to her integrity, accountability, and respect for rules, people, and community safety.

Beyond her corporate work, Altrese is deeply committed to service and equitable access. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Access Institute, where she helps youth facing adversity gain access to AI skills, education, and opportunities that expand futures and close gaps.

Within Microsoft, she serves as the Worldwide Career Development Lead for Blacks at Microsoft (BAM), supporting 4,000+ employees globally through mentorship, AI upskilling, career coaching, leadership development, and community-centered programming.

She also serves as a Seattle Chapter Representative for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, strengthening inter-organizational collaboration, cultural unity, and community service initiatives.

As the founder of The Authentic Empowerment Hub, LLC and creator of EmpowerAI, Altrese leads programs designed to close the digital divide, promote Responsible AI literacy, and empower communities to navigate the future of work with safety, clarity, and confidence.

She is a sought-after public speaker and educator, having trained and spoken to more than 8,000+ people across major organizations including Microsoft, NASDAQ, Costco, Puget Sound Energy, Delta Dental, and the Seattle Seahawks.

Her sessions blend authenticity, ethical innovation, and accessible education — making AI less intimidating and more empowering for individuals, leaders, and communities.

For the past two consecutive years, Altrese has represented Microsoft in ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ in New York City — a recognition of her influence in ethics-focused innovation and community empowerment.

Across every area of her life, motherhood, marriage, community service, professional leadership, and entrepreneurship, Altrese is known for her integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to building systems that uplift others.

Her work reflects a simple but powerful belief:

Thriving in the AI era requires more than technology...it requires responsibility, authenticity, accessibility, and human-centered leadership.

She is dedicated to shaping a future where emerging technologies do not widen gaps, but instead create pathways to opportunity for every community.