Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and lasting impact of Black communities around the world. In tech, an industry that continues to shape our future, Black women have been pioneers, innovators, leaders, and changemakers, often driving progress while navigating systemic barriers and persistent underrepresentation.
Despite their impact, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in the technology sector. In the U.S., Black professionals make up only about 8% of the tech workforce, and Black women account for less than 3% of tech roles, with even lower representation in senior leadership positions. These gaps highlight not a lack of talent, but a lack of access, opportunity, and visibility.
In this special Black History Month feature, we’re proud to spotlight 30 Black women in tech who are redefining what leadership and innovation look like across engineering, data, product, cybersecurity, and AI. This list is both a celebration and a call to action: to recognize brilliance, amplify voices, and accelerate change.
Abigail Epane-Osuala
Chief Culture & Belonging Officer, HR Strategy, President GE HealthCare Foundation at GE HealthCare
Abigail Epane-Osuala is a globally respected leader with over 25 years of experience transforming organizational culture, leading change, and building high-impact teams across industries and regions. A trusted advisor to executive leadership, she is known for aligning people strategy with business outcomes while championing empathy, belonging, and inclusive leadership. Her work has shaped global inclusion and belonging initiatives, supported large-scale transformations, and elevated diverse voices across communities. Passionate about developing the next generation of leaders, she is a powerful advocate for equity, purpose-driven leadership, and sustainable impact.
Abuoma Nwadike
Senior Product Manager at ServiceNow
Abuoma Nwadike is a product leader with experience spanning technology, entertainment, and business strategy, known for driving execution, spearheading innovation, and shaping product and brand direction from early-stage to enterprise environments. She brings a strong track record in cross-functional leadership—translating customer insights into clear roadmaps, improving processes, and delivering scalable solutions. With a global outlook and a passion for creative problem-solving, she focuses on building products that create real-world impact. She is also committed to growth and community, sharing practical insights to help others navigate and advance in product careers.
Alissa Abdullah
Deputy Chief Security Officer & Senior Vice President of Emerging Corporate Security Solutions at Mastercard
Alissa Abdullah, PhD is an award-winning technology and cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of experience shaping security, resilience, and innovation across government and global enterprise environments. She has led complex, high-impact programs, advised executive leadership and boards, and helped define cybersecurity strategy in some of the world’s most demanding settings. Known as a cybersecurity futurist and trusted voice in the industry, she bridges emerging technologies with practical, scalable solutions. A passionate advocate for inclusion, she actively supports the advancement of women and underrepresented leaders in technology through mentorship, thought leadership, and visible leadership.
Angie Jones
VP Engineering, AI Tools & Enablement at Block
Angie Jones is a globally recognized engineering leader known for advancing applied AI, intelligent automation, and developer ecosystems at scale. She has driven the adoption of AI-powered workflows, designed systems that integrate tools and APIs, and led initiatives that empower engineers to become AI-native builders. An international keynote speaker and educator, she has influenced tens of thousands of developers worldwide through workshops, publications, and the creation of one of the largest software testing education platforms globally. Through mentorship, open-source advocacy, and community leadership, she is deeply committed to expanding access, opportunity, and inclusion in technology.
Bahja Johnson
Director, Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Apple
Bahja Johnson is an industry-recognized inclusion and diversity leader known for leveraging belonging as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and lasting change. She co-founded a first-of-its-kind product inclusion initiative that helped embed diversity into the customer experience and the business strategy, and later led end-to-end equality and belonging efforts across employee, customer, and community impact. Named among leading inspirational and influential ESG and retail leaders, she is recognized for operationalizing inclusion through measurable strategies, partnerships, and inclusive design thinking. Through her work, she continues to advance equitable outcomes and build cultures where people and communities can thrive.
Candice Biamby
Vice President, Product Manager of Cyber Threat Intelligence at JPMorganChase
Candice Biamby is a cybersecurity leader and product innovator helping shape how organizations anticipate risk, respond to threats, and build resilience at scale. With experience spanning threat intelligence, regulatory compliance, and client advisory work, she’s known for translating complex security challenges into actionable strategy—backed by respected industry certifications. A Gates Millennium Scholar and Grace Hopper Scholar, she pairs technical excellence with a strong commitment to expanding access and opportunity in tech. Through community initiatives and nonprofit partnerships, she champions cybersecurity education and creates pathways for underrepresented voices to thrive.
Dr. Cynthia Sutherland
U.S. Lead (Security Assurance) at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Dr. Cynthia Sutherland is a cybersecurity executive and former federal CISO who has built and led enterprise security programs across defense, government, and highly regulated industries for more than 28 years—helping secure over $1 trillion in assets and advising leaders in 50+ countries. She has chaired multinational cybersecurity governance at the NATO level and guided executive decision-making through crisis, modernization, and elevated regulatory pressure, translating complex cyber and AI risk into clear, board-ready judgment. Known for pairing deep technical rigor with human-centered leadership, she champions resilience, culture, and sustainable performance as foundations of security. Beyond the enterprise, she advances community impact through STEM leadership and public education—empowering seniors and vulnerable communities with practical, dignity-first cybersecurity guidance.
Dr. Diana B. Allen
Principal Techical Program Manager (Director Level) at Cribl
Dr. Diana B. Allen is a seasoned cybersecurity leader recognized for building high-impact programs and partnering with executive stakeholders in fast-paced, matrixed environments. A results-driven team builder, she is known for strengthening operations through process improvement, collaboration, and clear communication—while earning trust through lasting relationships. Her expertise spans enterprise cyber risk management, audit and compliance, security assessment and authorization, policy development, and disaster recovery/resiliency, supported by advanced industry certifications. She also invests in the next generation through teaching and community leadership, and is a visible champion of diversity and inclusion through mentorship and dedicated D&I initiatives.
Edwige A. Robinson
Head of Technology | Product Strategy & Portfolio Operations at Elevance Health
Edwige A. Robinson is Vice President of Technology Product Strategy and Portfolio Operations at Elevance Health, leading digital tech product and operations, enterprise governance, and Responsible AI. With 27+ years in technology and telecommunications—including SVP roles at T‑Mobile—she is known for transforming legacy operations into agile, high-performing ecosystems. Edwige is a Forbes Technology Council member and author of Believe It’s Possible.
Kay Malcolm
Vice President of Product Management at Oracle
Kay Malcolm is a product and innovation leader known for translating complex database and AI capabilities into practical, customer-ready strategies that drive measurable outcomes. She founded a large-scale hands-on learning platform that has reached tens of millions of learners, expanding access to real-world technical skills at global scale. As a keynote speaker and educator, she demystifies AI through workshops and content designed to make emerging technology usable for everyday teams—not just specialists. Through media projects that celebrate women in tech and spotlight Gen Z talent, she actively broadens representation and opens pathways into technology careers.
Lakecia Gunter
Former Chief Technology Officer, Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft
Lakecia Gunter is a Fortune 50 technology leader with a 25-year track record of driving strategy, growth, and technical innovation across complex, high-impact environments. She is an award-winning engineer and recognized keynote speaker known for translating market shifts—especially in AI—into actionable outcomes while building strong, people-first cultures. As a board director and advisory board member, she brings governance insight and long-term perspective to organizations navigating transformation. A lifelong advocate for women, she amplifies and develops women leaders through her “ROAR” platform, sharing candid stories, practical resources, and mentorship-forward leadership that helps others step into their potential.
Lasherelle Morgan
SVP, Legal, AI Innovation & Acceleration at NBCUniversal
Lasherelle Morgan is an AI governance leader shaping practical, responsible approaches to emerging technology across complex global organizations. She is known for building the systems, workflows, and guardrails that help teams move faster with clarity—translating principles into operational frameworks that enable real adoption and scale. With a career spanning technology, media, and high-growth creative environments, she has consistently advanced innovation by simplifying complexity and aligning stakeholders around durable execution. She also contributes to long-term community impact through board service in education and youth development, reinforcing her commitment to building environments where people and technology can thrive responsibly.
Leslie Patterson
Americas & US Inclusiveness Leader at EY
Leslie Patterson is a longtime leader in advancing inclusive workplace cultures and driving systemic change across large, complex organizations. With more than three decades of experience shaping talent, culture, and organizational strategy, she has played a pivotal role in embedding belonging, psychological safety, and fairness into workforce practices. Her leadership has influenced both internal transformation and broader community impact, including work aligned with anti-racism and equity efforts. Recognized with multiple honors for her commitment to diversity and inclusion, she continues to leave a lasting legacy by helping organizations turn values into sustained action.
Marian Croak
Vice President - Engineering at Google
Marian Croak is a pioneering technologist whose work has shaped the foundations of modern communications, holding more than 200 granted patents over a decades-long career. Her contributions to innovation have earned her induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and election to both the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Known for bridging deep technical rigor with visionary leadership, she has influenced how large-scale technologies are designed, integrated, and brought to global impact. Her legacy reflects sustained excellence, invention at scale, and long-term influence on the evolution of technology.
Maya Todd
Product Manager, Cybersecurity Identity & Access Management
at Dell Technologies
Maya Todd is a cybersecurity leader with more than 15 years of experience transforming identity, access, and compliance programs into strategic enablers of trust and growth. She is recognized for leading large-scale modernization efforts that simplify complexity, strengthen governance, and deliver measurable security and operational outcomes at enterprise scale. Known for turning regulatory and technical challenges into clarity and confidence, she consistently aligns cross-functional teams around practical, people-centered solutions. Through mentorship, trust-building, and a strong commitment to developing others, she has helped shape cultures where security empowers individuals and organizations to thrive.
Mich Razon
CTO & Head of Engineering, Legal AI at Thomson Reuters
Mich Razon is a customer-focused technology executive known for scaling global product and engineering organizations through agile, digital, and cloud transformations. She has led strategic execution across Fortune 500 and privately held companies, including technology due diligence for M&A and advising on innovation and enterprise technology strategy. As a public company board member and non-profit board chair, she brings strong governance leadership and a track record of driving measurable impact. Passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and advancing equity in tech, she actively supports pathways for underrepresented communities to access software engineering careers.
Michaela Samoudi
Director, Business Process Optimization at Medtronic
Michaela Samoudi, MBA, MBB is the founder of Multidimensional Might™—a future-ready leadership philosophy that reframes being multifaceted as a competitive advantage and a catalyst for impact. A Master Black Belt and transformation architect, she has led enterprise-wide change across supply chain, quality, regulatory, and equity initiatives, blending systems thinking, data, and deep empathy to deliver measurable outcomes. She is recognized for elevating organizational performance and brand credibility through strategy-driven benchmarking and industry leadership, earning national visibility for equity-centered results. Passionate about health equity and inclusive leadership, she builds cultures that remove barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and expand access to opportunity.
Murekatete Marie Claire
Software Technical Program Manager at Intel
Murekatete Marie Claire (PMP®) is an award-winning technology leader and program strategist who bridges engineering teams and open-source communities to deliver high-impact software initiatives. She previously led the development of national-level government applications and advised ICT projects with international institutions, demonstrating sustained leadership across sectors and geographies. A recognized champion for women in tech, she drives outreach and mentorship through initiatives that expand opportunity for girls, refugees, and emerging leaders. Her honors—including the SWE Emerging Leader Award and the Change Agent ABIE Award—reflect a long-term commitment to building inclusive pathways into STEM and strengthening communities through technology.
Nadeja (Deja) Adams
TechSF Senior Workforce Programs Specialist at City and County
of San Francisco
Nadeja (Deja) Adams is a workforce innovation and partnerships leader shaping skills-based pathways that connect local talent to real career mobility in the tech sector. She has led multi-stakeholder programs and policy improvements that bridge public and private sectors, aligning funding, operations, and employer demand to create sustainable outcomes. Known for building high-trust partnerships and scalable systems, she has helped expand access to technical training and reduce financial barriers for underrepresented communities through scholarship and apprenticeship initiatives. Her work advances equity and opportunity at scale—strengthening businesses while investing in resilient communities and future generations.
Oona King
Chief Opportunity Officer at Uber
Oona King is a globally recognized inclusion and equity leader with over 25 years of experience driving measurable change across the tech sector and beyond. She co-authored a widely adopted roadmap for accelerating diversity in technology, backed by dozens of major companies, translating urgency into practical accountability. With a distinguished public service legacy as one of the first Black women elected to the UK Parliament and later serving in the House of Lords, she has helped shape policy that advances fairness, including pay equity. Her career reflects long-term impact at the intersection of leadership, opportunity, and systems-level change.
Panya Lei Yarber-King
Data Center Operations at Meta
Panya Lei Yarber-King is a transformational technology and operations leader with 20 years of experience scaling global infrastructure, building high-performing teams, and turning strategy into measurable results in fast-paced, high-growth environments. She has led AI operations at scale, guided complex technology roadmaps, and driven digital transformation by translating executive objectives into actionable plans that improve efficiency and performance. With a strong track record of managing large portfolios and budgets—including $40M in operational oversight—she consistently delivers impact while strengthening culture and collaboration across diverse stakeholders. Her work reflects long-term influence across software, cloud, cybersecurity, and large-scale infrastructure modernization.
Raniesa Gray-Johnson
Senior Cloud Engineer (DevOps) at FIS
Raniesa Gray-Johnson is a veteran technologist and cloud engineering leader with 20+ years of hands-on experience spanning systems engineering, DevOps, and cloud security. She has driven cloud modernization and automation efforts by building secure, scalable, resilient platforms and reducing operational risk through governance, compliance, and identity hardening. Known for turning complex challenges into streamlined, high-performing solutions, she brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to transformation and technical leadership. Her work reflects long-term impact at the intersection of security, reliability, and scalable cloud architecture.
Ronke Ekwensi
Vice President - Global Data Office at Applied Materials
Ronke Ekwensi is a senior data and AI leader recognized for driving enterprise-wide transformation by building data-driven cultures that unlock innovation and accelerate measurable value. She has led global data strategy, AI enablement, and governance in highly regulated environments—turning complex challenges into clear, actionable roadmaps and operational impact. Honored twice as a DataIQ 100 awardee, she is known for scaling responsible AI adoption through large-scale education programs that prepare thousands for the future of work. Deeply committed to inclusive leadership and data-for-public-good, she champions a vision of using corporate data to deliver lasting societal impact.
Sydney Hamilton
Engineering Project Management Specialist at Boeing
Sydney Hamilton is an accomplished engineering leader known for driving innovation and delivering high-impact outcomes across complex, mission-critical programs. She has a strong track record of leading and empowering teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and consistently translating ambitious goals into measurable results. Committed to giving back, she invests in community and youth-focused initiatives, believing the next generation is essential to building a better future. Through public speaking and leadership development work—including a Juneteenth STEMM equity engagement at the White House—she elevates inclusive leadership and expands pathways for underrepresented talent in STEM.
Thasunda Brown Duckett
President & CEO at TIAA
Thasunda Brown Duckett is a transformative business leader with a track record of building large-scale, customer-focused organizations and driving long-term financial outcomes. She has led major growth and strategy initiatives across consumer banking, lending, and retirement solutions, while serving on influential boards that shape business and social impact. Through her philanthropic foundation, she champions community empowerment and expands opportunity for the next generation. Her work consistently advances economic inclusion by helping close wealth and achievement gaps for communities of color.
Tracey Sigers
Departmental Chair of Information Technology at NCUS
Tracey Sigers is an accomplished technology educator and workforce development leader focused on expanding access to AI training and industry-recognized digital certifications. She has built and led programs that upskill learners and professionals in high-demand tools—helping communities strengthen career readiness and long-term economic mobility. A sought-after keynote speaker, workshop presenter, and author, she inspires others to grow alongside rapidly changing technology. Through community and service involvement, she advances inclusive opportunity by creating pathways into tech for underrepresented talent.
Tracie Cleveland Thomas
Senior Vice President, Enterprise Digital Transformation Executive at KeyBank
Tracie Cleveland Thomas is a seasoned enterprise transformation leader with 25+ years of experience helping global organizations deliver sustainable, value-driven growth through technology and innovation. She has led large-scale digital initiatives across multiple industries, combining strategic execution, governance, and risk management to modernize operations and elevate customer and employee experiences. As a board-serving leader and professional speaker, she brings a strong lens on responsible leadership, operational excellence, and measurable impact. She also co-founded and supports a nonprofit focused on creating pathways to stability and opportunity for single mothers, veterans, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Windy Nicholson
VP Technology and Product, Mergers and Acquisitions Integration at Salesforce
Windy Nicholson is a seasoned technology and transformation leader known for guiding complex integrations and scaling high-performing teams through periods of rapid change. She brings deep expertise in strategic execution, stakeholder alignment, and delivering outcomes across cross-functional, multi-region organizations. A committed advocate for women’s advancement, she actively supports professional growth through mentorship and leadership programming that helps women own their accomplishments and expand their influence. She also extends her impact through community leadership and board service, mobilizing resources and people to create meaningful opportunities for others.
Zainabu Nakate
Senior Technical Programme Manager | Managing Consultant at IBM
Zainabu Nakate is a seasoned program and agile leader recognized for delivering customer-centric digital transformations across diverse industries and complex, high-stakes environments. She has led multi-million-pound initiatives and is known for building and mentoring self-organizing, high-performing teams that turn agile principles into measurable business value. Zainabu is widely recognized for elevating the contributions of Black women in technology and for founding a global community that equips non-coding women with the skills, confidence, and networks to thrive. Through public speaking, mentoring, and advocacy, she advances diversity, equity, and inclusion while championing neurodiversity to help create more accessible, opportunity-rich workplaces.
Zinet Kemal
Senior Cloud Security Engineer at Mayo Clinic
Zinet Kemal is an award-winning cybersecurity leader, educator, and TEDx speaker dedicated to making online safety clear, practical, and accessible for families, educators, and communities worldwide. She is the author of bestselling youth and family cybersecurity books and the creator of widely viewed talks and learning programs that translate complex security and AI concepts into human, actionable guidance. Recognized with multiple global industry and literary awards, she has trained and inspired thousands through speaking, teaching, and content. A passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, Zinet actively champions youth empowerment, responsible technology, and safer digital spaces for underrepresented and multigenerational audiences.
Beyong the Celebration
As we celebrate Black History Month, this list is a reminder that Black women in tech are not an exception—they are a powerful force driving innovation, leadership, and systemic change. Their impact reaches far beyond individual roles, shaping more inclusive workplaces and inspiring the next generation of technologists worldwide.
We invite you to continue this celebration beyond Black History Month. Connect with WomenTech Network on LinkedIn to discover more stories, resources, and opportunities that amplify underrepresented voices in tech. And don’t miss the WomenTech Network Global Conference 2026 (May 12-15, Virtual)—bringing together thousands of women in tech, allies, and leaders, from around the world to learn, connect, and accelerate progress together.