Executive Edge: Me + We – The C-Suite’s Imperative for Business Success and a Kinder Workplace

Engage in a robust conversation with Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org and Barbara A. F. Greene, Founder and CEO of Greene and Associates, Inc. In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are pivotal for organizational success, this talk will explore how data-driven DEI initiatives can revolutionize the tech industry. Emphasizing the axiom “garbage in, garbage out”, we will underscore the importance of high-quality data for achieving effective business outcomes. We’ll delve into strategies for fostering a kinder, more inclusive workplace culture that meets the expectations of a younger, more diverse workforce demanding meaningful change. This session aims to inspire CEOs to champion these advancements, driving both ethical practices and business success.

Brenda Darden Wilkerson

President & CEO, AnitaB.org

Brenda Darden Wilkerson is a prominent figure in the tech industry, renowned for her dedication to promoting computer science education for all. She is the current President and CEO of AnitaB.org, a global non-profit organization that works to connect and empower women and non-binary people in technology, with a vision of intersectional gender equity and pay parity in the tech ecosystem.
With over 30 years of experience in the technology industry, Brenda is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the field. She is a recognized leader in the movement to make computer science education accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic background.
Prior to joining AnitaB.org, she spent 11 years managing computer science and information technology for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). In 2008, while she was still at CPS, she founded the groundbreaking Computer Science for All program, which aims to maximize the potential of every student through a computer science education defined by equity, empowerment, and opportunity. Also, during that time, Brenda founded the Chicago chapter of Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). Through her efforts, she connected with educators and industry leaders to raise awareness about the importance of computer science education and the need to increase access to those opportunities.

In 2016, Brenda was appointed by President Barack Obama to the White House’s Tech Inclusion Task Force, where she worked with other experts to create strategies for increasing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She was also a driving force behind the launch of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), which seeks to increase the participation of girls and women in computing.
As the leader of AnitaB.org, Brenda has continued to influence technology equity on a global scale. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach to include programs that support women and non-binary technologists at all stages of their careers, including mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy.
Brenda’s contributions to the field of technology education have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the 2017 Computer Science Education Week Champion of Change Award from the White House and the 2019 Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Lifetime Achievement Award. Brenda was named to the 2023 Forbes 50 Over 50 list for Impact, and was recently selected as one of five honorees for the 2024 SXSW Community Service Awards. She is a passionate advocate for access, opportunity, and social justice in the tech industry, and her work continues to inspire and empower women, non-binary people, and historically excluded groups in technology.

This month’s program honors AnitaB.org, a powerful organization paving the way forward for women and non-binary individuals in tech through career development, apprenticeship, mentorship, and more!

At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. We connect, inspire, and guide women in computing, and organizations that view technology innovation as a strategic imperative.

Our social enterprise supports women in technical fields, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generation. A full roster of programs helps women and non-binary technologists grow, learn, and develop their highest potential.