Black History Month 2025

    As we celebrate Black History Month 2025, WomenTech Network is proud to shine a light on the brilliance, resilience, and innovation of Black women in tech. These trailblazers are not only breaking barriers but also paving the way for future generations through their leadership, creativity, and technical expertise. From groundbreaking research and product development to business strategy and design, their contributions are shaping the future of technology in powerful ways. This month, we’re honoring 30 Black women whose work is transforming the industry and inspiring a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic tech landscape. Join us in celebrating their impact!

    Aicha Evans, CEO at Zoox

    Aicha S. Evans is CEO of self-driving car company Zoox. Evans was formerly senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer at Intel Corporation. She was responsible for driving Intel’s long-term strategy to transform from a PC-centric company to a data-centric company, as well as leading rapid decision making and company-wide execution of the strategy. 

    Previously Evans was general manager of the Communication and Devices Group, responsible for driving wireless engineering for multi-comm products and Intel platforms, including modems, RF, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM, LTE, WLAN/WWAN as well as emerging wireless technologies such as 5G. 

    Amarachi Amaechi, Co-founder & COO at Bitpowr

    Amarachi Amaechi is a pioneering entrepreneur and fintech leader, transforming digital finance as Co-founder & COO of Bitpowr Technologies Inc. Under her leadership, the company has processed over $500 million in transactions, solidifying its impact in the fintech space.

    A sought-after speaker, Amarachi has shared her expertise on fintech, Web3, and AI at top global events, including the London Blockchain Conference, Tech Summit San Francisco, and GITEX. Passionate about empowering women in tech, she mentors through Google Women Techmakers and WomenTech Network.

    Recognized among the "100 Technologists to Watch in 2024", Amarachi’s expertise spans digital finance, blockchain, and emerging tech, driving innovation and industry transformation.

    Angelina Howard, Head of Product for New Industry Products at Amazon Web Services

    Angelina is a Product Management Leader at AWS, heading new industry products in Sustainability & Clean Energy. She drives early market development, prototypes, and strategic roadmaps to support the transition to renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction.

    Previously a Senior Product Manager at Amazon, she launched key initiatives like Twitch Live on Amazon and Xbox All Access. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she served as President of Amazon’s Black Employee Network, advising senior leadership on racial equity and social impact, including directing $27M in funding for justice initiatives.

    A Forbes 30 Under 30 and Black Enterprise 40 Under 40 honoree, Angelina is also a professor, speaker, and corporate diversity consultant. She holds a BSBA from Colorado State University and is an advocate for representation in tech. Based in Dallas, TX, she enjoys history, travel, and exploring different cultures.

    Angie Jones, Global VP, Developer Relations at Block

    Angie Jones is a globally recognized leader in Developer Relations, currently serving as the Global VP of Developer Relations at Block. With extensive experience in developer advocacy, open-source programs, and community engagement, she has spearheaded initiatives that bridge the gap between developers and technology, fostering innovation and inclusivity.

    Previously, Angie led Developer Relations at TBD (a division of Block), focusing on decentralized identity and verifiable credentials. She has also held leadership roles at Applitools, Twitter, and LexisNexis, where she contributed to test automation, mobile frameworks, and developer education.

    An accomplished speaker, educator, and author, Angie has written for O’Reilly, contributed to DevOps guides, and holds multiple patents in software engineering. Passionate about mentoring the next generation, she has volunteered with Black Girls Code and TechGirlz.

    Her expertise spans automation, AI, open source, and developer enablement, making her a driving force in the tech industry.

    Bianca Maxwell Harris, Principal Product Manager, Partner Growth at Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution

    Bianca Maxwell Harris is a seasoned Product Management Leader, currently serving as Principal Product Manager, Partner Growth at Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. With a track record of driving digital innovation, she has led impactful product strategies at Apple, Tupperware, and Adidas, spearheading large-scale initiatives in eCommerce, SaaS, and digital platforms.

    As the Founder of Skinary App, Bianca has also demonstrated her entrepreneurial vision, creating a tech-driven solution in the beauty and wellness space. Passionate about digital transformation and customer experience, she excels in building scalable solutions, optimizing product roadmaps, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

    Based in Santa Monica, CA, Bianca continues to shape the future of digital commerce and media, leveraging her expertise to drive growth, innovation, and seamless user experiences.

    Candice L. Dixon, Executive Director, Command Shift at Npower

    Candice Dixon is the founding Executive Director of NPower's Command Shift Coalition, bringing together Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and advocates to advance women from under-resourced communities into tech careers. She led The Equation for Equality, groundbreaking research uncovering an untapped pipeline of women with foundational tech skills.

    With 15+ years of experience in health equity, digital inclusion, and women’s empowerment, Candice has led initiatives at United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

    A College of Charleston graduate with an MPA from Georgia State, she remains dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for women in tech.

    Carla Grant Pickens, VP HR, IBM Consulting, Global Operations, Platforms & Delivery at IBM

    Carla Grant-Pickens is the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at IBM, leading a global team to foster an inclusive culture and diverse workforce. Under her leadership, IBM has earned top recognitions for workplace diversity.

    With over 20 years at IBM, Carla has held leadership roles in HR, Talent Strategy, and Executive Development, living and working in the U.S. and Asia. She holds an IBM patent for Workforce Retention and Compensation Analytics. Before IBM, she worked at Oracle and Northrop Grumman.

    A University of Maryland graduate, Carla serves on the boards of the Federal City Council and Connected DMV. She mentors youth and champions the Carver High School P-TECH program. In her free time, she enjoys family time and cheering on Maryland basketball.

    Chinitra Graham, Vice President - IT and Cybersecurity Audit at Kyndryl

    Chinitra Graham is a cybersecurity and IT risk leader with over 15 years of experience in information security, IT governance, and audit. She currently serves as Vice President of IT and Cybersecurity Audit at Kyndryl, where she oversees global cybersecurity risk management, compliance, and governance.

    Previously, she was Vice President of Information Security at the University of Maryland Global Campus, where she led a comprehensive cybersecurity program focused on risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and incident response. Her leadership extended to Laureate International Universities, Discovery Communications, and Deloitte, where she played a key role in IT security strategy, risk assessment, and audit execution across diverse industries.

    A trusted cybersecurity strategist and compliance expert, Chinitra specializes in threat management, IT governance, security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CMMC), and digital risk reduction. She is passionate about developing secure, resilient IT ecosystems and fostering industry-wide best practices.

    Duronke Owoleso, Chief Research Officer (CRO) at The Security Bench

    Duronke is a technology leader with 20+ years of experience in cybersecurity, IT governance, and risk management across banking, public sector, and healthcare. She specializes in cloud security, AI risk management, data privacy, and IAM.

    As Chief Research Officer at The Security Bench, she drives thought leadership through publications and research on emerging cybersecurity trends. She also advises organizations on risk assessments, security architecture, and compliance in her role with the Government of Canada.

    A recognized author, speaker, and contributor to global security frameworks, Duronke is dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity resilience across industries.

    Genia Wilbourn, Senior Vice President - Global Customer Operations at Verizon

    Genia Wilbourn is a results-driven executive with over 27 years at Verizon. As SVP of Global Customer Operations for Verizon Business Group, she leads strategy, implementation, and operations for business and government customers worldwide.

    Previously, she served as SVP of Global Network Operations & Assurance, overseeing Verizon’s 5G, LTE, and fiber networks across 2,600+ cities in 145 countries. A proven change agent, Genia excels at building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and delivering innovative solutions that enhance customer confidence and shareholder value.

    Gloria Goins, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Cisco

    Gloria Goins is a transformational business executive with expertise in culture transformation, DEIB, sales, marketing, operations, and human resources. As President of Brilliant Ideas, she leads strategic initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and high-profile organizations, driving inclusive business growth and market expansion.

    Previously, she served as Chief DEI Officer at Cisco and Head of Health Equity at Amazon, earning recognition from Becker’s Hospital Review as a top healthcare executive. With a track record of launching impactful programs that enhance customer loyalty, brand equity, and revenue growth, Gloria is a sought-after leader in driving business success through innovation and inclusion.

    Joy Fitzgerald, SVP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at UnitedHealth Group

    Joy Fitzgerald is the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at UnitedHealth Group. A global business executive and thought leader, she is a respected voice on diversity as a business strategy, featured in publications like Harvard Business ReviewFortune, and The Wall Street Journal.

    With over 25 years of leadership experience across industries, Joy has driven transformative DEI initiatives, aligning business goals with inclusive practices. Previously, she was VP of HR and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Eli Lilly. A sought-after speaker and executive coach, she has presented in 25+ countries and earned numerous accolades, including recognition by Black Enterprise and Diversity Journal.

    Joy is also an author, dedicated to fostering inclusion and equity through bold conversations and strategic solutions.

    Kesha Williams, Senior Director, Enterprise Architecture & Engineering at Slalom

    Kesha Williams is an award-winning technology leader specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, with nearly three decades of experience. As Senior Director of Enterprise Architecture & Engineering at Slalom, she drives digital transformation, AI strategies, and scalable solutions. A passionate educator, she has authored 20+ LinkedIn Learning courses, empowering professionals worldwide. Kesha's innovative AI solutions have earned industry recognition, and she is a sought-after speaker advocating for ethical AI and human-centered innovation. With leadership roles at AWS, A Cloud Guru, and Chick-fil-A, she continues to shape the future of technology through expertise, mentorship, and thought leadership.

    Lakecia Gunter, Former CTO, Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft and Board Member, IDEX Corporation

    Lakecia Gunter is the Chief Technology Officer for Global Partner Solutions (GPS) at Microsoft, leading technical strategy to drive digital transformation through AI and innovation. Previously, she held leadership roles at Microsoft and Intel, including VP of Device Partner Solution Sales and Worldwide IoT Partner Ecosystem, overseeing multi-billion-dollar businesses. She serves on the IDEX Corporation Board and is recognized among CRN’s Women of the Channel (2023) and 100 Influential Women in Tech (2022).

    A passionate advocate for diversity, she volunteers with STEM organizations, serves on multiple boards, and hosts the ROAR podcast. She holds degrees in computer and electrical engineering from USF and Georgia Tech.

    LaTanya Ingram, Deputy to Technology Officer, Product Portfolio Leader at EY

    LaTanya Ingram is a seasoned product strategy and technology leader with over 20 years of experience in product development, portfolio management, and digital transformation. At EY, she manages a $50M portfolio of 40+ products, leading global teams to deliver high-impact solutions. LaTanya has successfully driven $100M in new revenueand spearheaded the adoption of Agile methodologies and cloud optimization.

    With expertise in building data-driven platforms and scaling digital solutions, she is committed to driving business growth and operational excellence. LaTanya holds a degree in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University.

    Linet Middlebrooks, Manager- IT Category Management at Enbridge

    Linet Middlebrooks is a skilled professional in IT category management, sourcing, and supplier diversity. She currently serves as Manager of IT Category Management at Enbridge. Previously, Linet was a Sr. Specialist in SCM Sustainability & Supplier Diversity at Enbridge and a Category Manager at TC Energy and Columbia Pipeline Group, focusing on strategic sourcing in engineering and construction services.

    With experience at American Electric Power and the United States Department of Defense, Linet brings extensive expertise in contract management and procurement. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Strayer University and is dedicated to promoting sustainability and diversity in supply chains.

    Madona S. Wambua, Principal Software Engineer - Card Tech Fraud at Capital One 

    Madona S. Wambua is a Principal Software Engineer at Capital One, specializing in Android development for Card Tech Fraud. With over a decade of experience, she leads teams to build consumer-centric applications and cutting-edge solutions. An Android Expert and Google Developer Expert, Madona is passionate about gender diversity in tech.

    As Co-Chair at AnitaB.org, founder of Jibu Labs, and a Women Tech Makers Ambassador, she advocates for women in tech. Madona’s expertise spans machine learning, augmented reality, and computer vision. She previously worked with Google Glass and Streem - Frontdoor.

    Madona hosts the “Tech Talks with Madona” podcast, celebrating innovation and inclusivity. Recognized as one of Women Who Code’s 100 Technologists to Watch (2023), she drives technical excellence and diversity in the industry.

    Marian Croak, Vice President - Engineering at Google

    Marian Croak is the Vice President of Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technologies at Google, previously serving as VP for Site Reliability Engineering at Google Ads, Corporate Engineering, and YouTube. She joined Google in 2014 after retiring as SVP at AT&T, where she led the development of large-scale wireless and broadband networks, managing over 2,000 engineers.

    With over 200 patents, Marian has earned multiple awards, including the Edison Patent Awards and induction into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame. A strong STEM advocate, she mentors in the field and serves on boards like NACME and Catalyst. Marian holds a doctorate from USC and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2022.

    Onyinye Madubuko, UKI Training & Certification Lead, Modern Workplace Engineering Practice at Avanade

    Onyinye is an IT professional and transformation expert with extensive experience in delivering IT projects across various sectors. She helps businesses redesign workspaces for hybrid work, focusing on digital transformation and infrastructure adaptation.

    With a Master's in Personal, Mobile, and Satellite Communications from the University of Bradford, Onyinye began her career in telecommunications, progressing through roles as a Support Engineer, Consultant, and Solutions Architect.

    Currently with Avanade in the Modern Workplace Engineering practice, she helps businesses align with the hybrid workplace. A Microsoft 365 MVP and co-organizer of the M365 Dublin User Group, she speaks at conferences on Teams, Viva, and Microsoft 365. Passionate about mentoring and volunteering, Onyinye is dedicated to supporting women and girls in STEM, promoting growth and opportunity.

    Olabisi Boyle, Senior Vice President, Product Planning & Mobility Strategy at Hyundai Motor America

    Olabisi Boyle is the Senior Vice President of Product Planning and Mobility Strategy at Hyundai Motor North America. She leads Hyundai’s U.S. vehicle lineup, market research, and mobility strategy, including connected car tech and future innovations. Boyle joined Hyundai in 2020 after leading connected commerce at Visa and held roles at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford.

    She has over 20 years of automotive experience and has been recognized in Automotive News’ All-Star list and 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. Boyle serves on the boards of IONNA, Braun Corporation, and the Los Angeles Auto Show Advisory Board. She holds degrees from Columbia University and Fordham University.

    Pamela Chance, VP, SAP S/4HANA CoE - Public Cloud at SAP

    Pamela Chance is VP of SAP S/4HANA CoE for Public Cloud, driving cloud adoption and customer success. With over 30 years at SAP, she has held leadership roles in consulting, business operations, and digital transformation.

    Previously, she led North America Business Operations, overseeing strategy and performance analytics. Before SAP, she was an AVP at Lomas Information Systems.

    Pamela is a results-driven leader focused on innovation, operational excellence, and empowering talent.

    Ronke Majekodunmi, Product Manager at Apple

    Ronke Majekodunmi, MBA, is a seasoned Product Manager with over a decade of experience in SaaS product management across various industries, including payments, legal, and collaboration technology. Specializing in user-centered design and agile development, she excels at translating data and customer insights into actionable product strategies. Ronke has a proven track record of driving user adoption and retention while building and managing cross-functional teams.

    She is a thought leader, contributing to Product School and speaking at industry conferences, webinars, and podcasts on people-centric product design. Currently, Ronke serves as a Product Manager at Apple and has previously held leadership roles at Promevo and PayPal.

    Shola Awoyode, Lead Test Designer/Engineer (SME QA/BA) at Bloomberg

    Shola Awoyode is a Quality Assurance Test Designer/Engineer at Bloomberg, where she identifies gaps in software applications and connects teams to deliver quality results. With over 25 years of experience in tech and finance, Shola excels in communication, problem-solving, and leadership.

    She is passionate about continuous learning and simplifying complex concepts, having authored two self-published children's books, illustrated by her daughter. Shola’s expertise includes QA test design, Agile/Scrum, test automation, and UX. She holds a Master's in Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor's in Chemistry from New Jersey City University.

    Subomi Salami, Product Manager at Bumble Inc.

    Subomi Salami is a skilled Product Manager with experience at top companies such as Bumble, Meta, and Softcom Limited. Currently leading the Connecting team at Bumble, she previously developed strategy and led execution for AR developer tools at Meta, managing a cross-functional team of over 15 people.

    Subomi's career began with internships at Google and KPMG Nigeria, where she contributed to significant campaigns and projects. She has expertise in problem-solving, stakeholder communication, and product development, with a passion for AI and innovative technology solutions.

    Subomi holds a proven track record in driving successful product initiatives and fostering collaboration across diverse teams.

    Stacy Brown-Philpot, CEO, Fortune 100 Director, Investor, Advisor

    Stacy Brown-Philpot is a consumer technology leader with over 15 years of experience. As the former CEO of TaskRabbit, she scaled the company globally and led its acquisition by IKEA in 2017.

    Before TaskRabbit, Stacy served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Google Ventures and held leadership roles at Google, overseeing global operations for products like Search and Chrome. She has a finance background from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Goldman Sachs.

    Stacy is on the investment committee for the SoftBank Opportunity Fund and serves on the boards of HP Inc, Nordstrom, Black Girls Code, and The Urban Institute. She holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Stanford University.

    Tia Williams, Senior Vice President, Product Design at New Relic

    Tia Williams leads the product design, content design, research, and prototyping teams at New Relic. Prior to joining New Relic, she was VP of Product Design and User Experience at Salesforce, leading Sales Cloud and Revenue Cloud user experience teams. She joined Salesforce after 9 years at Oracle, where she was the Head of the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure User and Developer Experience teams. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Tia began her career as a developer and transitioned into user experience, with a targeted focus on providing exceptional customer and business value. She has held numerous leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies, as well as startups and innovation accelerators. She regularly advises startups, helping them to articulate their differentiating competitive value through their user experience. A frequent public speaker, she is passionate about achieving diversity of thought in technology through software design, achieved through intentional representation.

    Timnit Gebru, Founder & Executive Director at The Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR)

    Timnit Gebru is the founder and executive director of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR). Prior to that she was fired by Google in December 2020 for raising issues of discrimination in the workplace, where she was serving as co-lead of the Ethical AI research team. She received her PhD from Stanford University, and did a postdoc at Microsoft Research, New York City in the FATE (Fairness Accountability Transparency and Ethics in AI) group, where she studied algorithmic bias and the ethical implications underlying projects aiming to gain insights from data. Timnit also co-founded Black in AI, a nonprofit that works to increase the presence, inclusion, visibility and health of Black people in the field of AI, and is on the board of AddisCoder, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching algorithms and computer programming to Ethiopian highschool students, free of charge.

    Toni Townes-Whitley, Chief Executive Officer at SAIC

    Toni Townes-Whitley is the CEO of SAIC, a $7.4 billion company with 24,000 employees providing engineering, AI, and mission solutions across various markets. She became CEO in October 2023.

    Previously, Townes-Whitley was president of U.S. regulated industries at Microsoft, managing $16 billion in annual revenue. She also served as president of CGI Federal, overseeing a $1 billion portfolio, and held leadership roles at Unisys, achieving significant growth.

    A global tech leader, she serves on several boards, including Nasdaq and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Townes-Whitley earned a degree from Princeton University and holds certifications from Wharton and NYU. She has received numerous industry awards, including USA Today’s Women of the Year and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women.

    Tracey Sigers, Departmental Chair of Information Technology at NCUS TEC

    Tracey Sigers is the IT Department Chair at NCUS Tec Career College and a retired State of Ohio employee. With an MBA and a Master’s in Technology Leadership, she’s passionate about tech education, certifications, and motivating women in technology. She serves as a Certiport Global Ambassador and on the board of COSI, a top STEM organization.

    A former Ms. Black Ohio and author, Tracey is also a business co-owner and active community speaker. She has hosted the Transformational Tuesday Podcast since 2017 and is involved in various mentorship and empowerment initiatives.

    Veronica Braker, Executive Vice President of Operational Excellence at Southwire Company

    Veronica Braker is a dynamic leader in operational excellence, currently serving as EVP of Operational Excellence at Southwire Company. She drives a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and efficiency across the organization.

    Previously, as SVP of Global Operations at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Veronica enhanced operational frameworks and integrated best practices across international facilities. With leadership roles at BASF and Flint Hills Resources, she has a strong track record in manufacturing, asset performance, and strategic growth.

    Committed to fostering collaboration and sustainable operations, Veronica is passionate about empowering teams and advancing environmental, health, and safety standards.