When I Met Preska Thomas: The Moment I Knew She Was Changing the World With DebitMyData

As a writer, I meet all kinds of people—visionaries, founders, speakers, activists. I hear stories that span continents, companies, and cultures. But every once in a while, someone makes me pause, rewind, and want to learn more—not just because of what they do, but because of who they are.

That’s exactly what happened when I first came across Preska Thomas, the founder of DebitMyData.

I didn’t meet her at some glamorous tech summit or curated networking event. It was more subtle than that. I overheard someone mention her name in a conversation about digital identity and data ownership. A quick Google search turned into a deep dive. The more I read, the more curious I became. And when I finally had the chance to meet Preska on a video call, everything I had read paled in comparison to the real thing.

More Than a Founder

Preska isn’t just leading a company—she’s quietly building a revolution. Her startup, DebitMyData, is pioneering a model where people have actual control over their own data. Not just privacy settings or vague policies, but real, tangible ownership and choice. The idea is simple yet radical: what if your data could work for you?

But what struck me even more than her business model was her clarity. Preska doesn’t get lost in jargon or try to impress you with buzzwords. She talks about tech the way people talk about liberation—because for her, it’s personal. And that’s when it hit me: Preska Thomas isn’t just in tech. She’s reimagining its entire foundation.

A Presence That Feels Like Purpose

There’s something magnetic about her energy. It’s not loud. It’s not performative. It’s rooted. She listens before she speaks. She reflects before she responds. And when she talks about the future—about building platforms that center people instead of profits—you can’t help but believe her.

We were just on a video call, but the way the conversation flowed, it felt like five minutes instead of an hour. She spoke about the exhaustion people feel trying to keep up with the digital world. How our identities are being sliced, sold, and scattered without our consent. How technology has failed to protect the very people it claims to empower.

And then she told me what she’s doing about it. That’s when DebitMyData became more than just a company to me—it became a movement.

Redefining Tech, Quietly and Powerfully

In a field dominated by algorithms and billion-dollar valuations, Preska brings something that’s often missing: integrity. She’s not trying to be the next flashy tech CEO. She’s trying to build systems that serve real humans—especially those historically excluded from the conversation.

She’s building bridges in an industry that often feels like a fortress.

And the beauty of it is that she’s doing it her way. As a woman of color in tech, she’s not asking for permission. She’s creating space—and inviting others in with her.

Final Thoughts

Meeting Preska Thomas reminded me why I do this work in the first place. It’s not just about covering trends or highlighting success stories. It’s about spotlighting the people who are quietly rewriting the rules—those who see what’s broken and dare to fix it.

If you haven’t heard of Preska yet, trust me—you will.

And if you ever get the chance to sit across from her, listen carefully. Some people talk about the future. She’s building it.