Technology Innovation and Inclusion: the five Cs – an entrepreneurial journey toward an inclusive future
Telle Whitney (Co-Founder, GHC and NCWIT)
Distinguished Lecture Series
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 3:30 pm
Abstract
Technology is rapidly changing our future, but technology creation isn't always welcoming to everyone. Dr. Whitney, a Computer Scientist and world-recognized expert on women and technology, will talk about her journey in technology and the importance of risk-taking at critical junctures. She will speak on how the five Cs - Courage, Confidence, Communication, Curiosity, and Creativity – helped her navigate a constantly evolving landscape. She will discuss how her entrepreneurial journey took a left turn from her career as a technology leader when she became the founding CEO of the Anita Borg Institute and scaled the organization and the Grace Hopper Celebration to have global reach and impact. She will observe and comment on practices adopted by organizations to create inclusive cultures.
Bio
Telle Whitney is a senior executive leader, an entrepreneur, and a recognized advocate and expert on women and technology. She has over 20 years of leadership experience and was named one of Fast Company's Most Influential Women in Technology. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of Women and Technology. Telle has been called "a pioneer for the promotion of women technologists" and "one of the most inspirational leaders I have ever known." Telle co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference in 1994 and served as CEO of the non-profit Anita Borg Institute from 2002 to September 2017. She transformed the Institute into a recognized world leader for women and technology. She has won numerous awards, including the ACM distinguished service award, an honorary degree from CMU, and is an honorary member of IEEE. She serves on multiple for-profit and non-profit boards. She is also the co-founder of the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2022. Telle holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from the California Institute of Technology and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Utah.
This talk is available on our YouTube channel.