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Leanne Pittsford

Founder & CEO of multiple tech-focused organizations

Leanne Pittsford is a prominent American entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Lesbians Who Tech, a global community aimed at increasing visibility and networking opportunities for LGBTQ women in technology. Established in 2012, the organization has grown significantly, boasting over 40,000 members across more than 40 cities worldwide, making it the largest LGBTQ network of technologists.134

Early Life and Education

Pittsford grew up in San Diego, California, in a conservative family and did not publicly come out as a lesbian until after college. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, followed by a master's degree in equity and social justice in education from San Francisco State University.13

Career

Pittsford began her career at Equality California, where she served as head of operations during efforts to overturn Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. She later co-founded the Lesbian Entrepreneur Mentoring Program and founded Start Somewhere, a digital agency supporting nonprofits.124

In addition to Lesbians Who Tech, she launched include.io, a platform designed to connect underrepresented tech talent with job opportunities, and SquadJobs, which focuses on mentoring and recruiting for diverse candidates.35 Her initiatives have included organizing summits and creating scholarships aimed at supporting LGBTQ women in tech.24

Recognition

Pittsford has received numerous accolades for her work, including being named one of Business Insider's most powerful LGBTQ+ people in tech and recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as one of their "40 Under 40" young business leaders.12 In 2016, she organized the LGBTQ Tech and Innovation Summit at the White House.1

Personal Life

Leanne married Pia Carusone in June 2017. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion continues to shape her work and influence within the tech industry.13

Pittsford's leadership at Lesbians Who Tech reflects her dedication to fostering an inclusive environment within technology, advocating for representation, and creating networks that empower LGBTQ individuals in the field.

Highlights

Jul 19 · linkedin

Last night, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies :: Queer. Inclusive. Badass. had the distinct honor and privilege of hosting an intimate dinner with Vice President Kamala Harris, bringing together leading women in technology from all over the country. We know there’s so much power and possibility that comes from bringing visionaries together. Technologists love to solve problems, and today there’s no shortage of challenges and opportunities that need our attention, like making sure generative AI does not replicate the same biases our society holds or how to increase economic power for all Americans. How can we make sure climate technology is able to innovate quickly so our planet can benefit now? Just to name a few. We have to not only be intentional about how to solve these problems, but who gets a seat at the table to do so.

Humbled to share space with leaders like :: Cynthia Stoddard, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Adobe Anu Bharadwaj, President, Atlassian Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk Maria Martinez, Chief Operating Officer, Cisco Gail Evans, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Monica Landen, Chief Information Security Officer, FactSet Mia Mora, Director, GTM Strategy and Operations, Technology Transformation, Google LaFawn Davis, SVP, ESG, Indeed Lori Beer, Global Chief Information Officer, JP Morgan Chase Jacky Wright, CTO, McKinsey Deb Cupp, President Microsoft Americas, Microsoft Kara Swisher, Host of the Pivot podcast, New York Media Anshu Bhardwaj, COO & SVP, Walmart Global Tech Tekedra Mawakana, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Waymo Madhu Narasimhan, EVP Head of Innovation & Digital Strategy & Innovation, Wells Fargo Sissie Hsiao, VP/GM, Google Assistant and Bard, Google Lisa Jackson, Vice President, Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Apple Amy Davis, President- New Power Business, Cummins

Monica Landen Cynthia (Cindy) Stoddard Dara Treseder Maria Martinez Gail Evans Lori Beer Deb Cupp Anshu Bhardwaj Jacky Wright Tekedra N. Mawakana Sissie H. Amy Davis Kara Swisher Mia Mora Anuradha Dodda Madhu Narasimhan LaFawn Davis Lisa Jackson, Vice President, Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Apple Anu Bharadwaj

Thank you for an incredible evening.

#AI #sustainability #climatetech #womenintech

Related Questions

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How has Lesbians Who Tech evolved since its founding in 2012?
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Leanne Pittsford
Leanne Pittsford, photo 1
Leanne Pittsford, photo 2
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Experience

Founder & CEO at Lesbians Who Tech & Allies (February 2014 - Present) and SquadJobs (January 2021 - Present)
Founder + CEO at Tech Jobs Tour (April 2017 - December 2019), Co-Founder at Lean Impact (January 2013 - January 2015), CEO at Start Somewhere (January 2011 - January 2014), Director of Administration (June 2009 - November 2010), Deputy Director of Administration & Finance (June 2008 - August 2009), Development & Database Man

Location

Brooklyn, New York, United States