In this inspiring episode of HumanizeHer, we sit down with Telle Whitney—a pioneering computer scientist, co-founder of the Grace Hopper Celebration, former CEO of AnitaB.org, and now, author of the book Rebooting Tech Culture: How to Ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive.

Telle shares her incredible journey as one of the first women in tech to step into leadership and has been on a mission to ensure no other woman feels isolated in their career like she once did. Her path, from being one of the only women in engineering meetings to co-founding one of the largest global gatherings for women technologists, is nothing short of extraordinary.

Together, we unpack:

• 🧠 The early days of being a woman in a male-dominated tech environment

• 💡 How she and Anita Borg sparked the Grace Hopper Celebration from a single idea

• 📘 Why she wrote Rebooting Tech Culture, and what organizations must do now to foster equity and innovation

• 🔁 Lessons in burnout, sustaining leadership, and building inclusive companies that actually work for everyone

• 🌱 Telle’s perspective on legacy, mentorship, and evolving beyond performative DEI efforts

💬 “You don’t need permission to lead. You just need to care enough to begin.” This episode is a masterclass in values-driven leadership—thoughtful, grounded, and full of actionable wisdom.

Whether you’re a woman in tech, an aspiring leader, or someone working to create more inclusive workplaces, this conversation will challenge and uplift you.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.