Meet the Speaker — Brenda Darden Wilkerson
Brenda Darden Wilkerson is the President and CEO of AnitaB.org. Her session at WITS Midwest is The Future is NOW: Building workplaces/ecosystems where women and non-binary technologists can thrive.
- Why is speaking at WITS important to you?
It is so important for women in tech and engineering to be together. In this time when disconnection is common, being able to be in this community of women will be a great boost to each of us and to me personally. I am also happy to support this amazing organization and be part of the discussions that elevate our ideas and innovations. I am grateful to the Summit organizers for bringing us all together.
- What or who inspires you?
I am inspired by the many tech and social justice leaders who have come before us and paved the way for us to be able to just be, let alone succeed. Folks like Anita Hill, Gladys West, Katheryn Johnson, and many others who have broken so many barriers, as well as our contemporaries like Timnet Gebru, Joy Buolamwini, Cathy O’Neil, Safiya Noble, Caroline Criado-Perez, to just name a few, give me inspiration and strength to persevere in our mission towards a better tech future.
- Most useful article you’ve read in the last month
https://mailchi.mp/halogenvc/invest-in-women-tw Discusses how much money women founders add to the economy ($1.8T) vs how much VC funding (2%) they receive.
- When you were a kid what was your dream job?
I wanted to be a creative, like a ballet dancer or a concert pianist. But mom said “No!” So, then I decided to be a doctor.
- Tell us something about your session
I will talk about the important work we all do by being part of tech and bringing our voice, along with the critical work necessary to diversify tech so that it serves everyone. I will also share my journey through tech into social justice and tech nonprofit leadership.
- What other sessions or speakers are you most excited to see?
Because early education is so important, I’m excited to hear The next big thing: Rethinking the K12 classroom for future workforce preparation by Ghazal Qureshi. Gloria Bell’s Want to increase the number of women in tech? It’s time to start bragging will be great too!
Hear from Brenda and the other wonderful women in tech speaking at WITS Midwest by registering here!
