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101 LGBTQIA+ in Tech & Venture Capital 2023

Written by BAM Team | June 15, 2023 at 5:54 PM
 

2023 has been a challenging year for the LGBTQIA+ community. Recent laws and actions in states like Florida, such as book bans and the criminalization of transgender and drag individuals, create an environment where many feel safer remaining neutral and not openly disclosing their identities. 

As allies, we are responsible for actively sharing resources, continuously learning, and listening attentively. Our annual list of 101 LGBTQIA+ leaders in tech and venture capital allows us to do just that — to listen to and amplify a community that is driving transformative change in the tech industry. By amplifying their voices and celebrating their contributions, we can collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment in tech, venture, and comms. We have a part to play in elevating all voices, Happy Pride.

Don't see your favorite LGBTQIA+ leaders? Please contact us and share your thoughts. Check out our past lists: 2022 and 2021.

Please enjoy the BAM Pride Month Playlist as you scroll through the list.

Creating this list would be impossible without organizations like StartOut, Out in Tech, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, and last but not least, the Black and Latinx activists that sparked the Pride movement.

101 LGBTQIA+ Leaders in Tech and Venture Capital 2023

 

  1. 1. Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research laboratory, and the co-founder of Loopt, a location-based social networking app. Altman is also a former president of Y Combinator, one of the world's leading startup accelerators. Altman is an advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights and has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. 

  1. 2. Arlan Hamilton is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital. This fund is dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or are LGBT. Arlan is also the author of “It’s About Damn Time,” a narrative about her journey into entrepreneurship and venture capital. Arlan also founded Hire Runner, a temp-to-hire operations and HR talent for inclusive startups.
 

  1. 3. Melissa Bradley is the founder and managing partner of 1863 Ventures. This dynamic nonprofit accelerator and venture capital fund, led by a Black team, is dedicated to supporting underrepresented founders nationwide, empowering over 3,200 entrepreneurs. She is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. Additionally, she has co-founded Sidecar Social Finance and played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Ureeka, which was acquired by ZenBusiness in 2022.

  1. 4. Monique Woodard is the Founding Partner at Cake Ventures, a Seed stage venture firm. Investing in where we're going, not where we came from. In 2022, Monique appeared on Fast Company’s second annual list of LGBTQ women and nonbinary innovators in business and tech. Monique is also on our 101 Black Titans in Tech list for 2020 & 2021.
  1. 5. Rebel Wilson excels as an actress, director, writer, and producer. Inspired by her own dating experiences on other apps that rigidly categorized users by gender, Rebel co-founded Fluid. This groundbreaking dating app was designed to break free from labels and provide a platform where individuals of any sexual orientation could connect, meet new people, and "find love without labels”.
 
  1. 6. Bee and Col, the wife-wife team behind Simple Alchemy Co said moving through life as queer, disabled, neurodivergent humans make their business that much stronger.
 
  1. 7. Lorenzo Thione (He/Him) is an Entrepreneur and VC as well as the Managing Director at Gaingels, a leading LGBTQIA+/Allies investment syndicate, and Managing Producer of “Sing Out, Louise!”. Lorenzo is also a co-founder of StartOut, a non-profit that centers on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship.
 
  1. 8. Amy Errett, the Founder and CEO of Madison Reed, has revolutionized the at-home hair color industry with their ammonia-free products. In addition to her role at Madison Reed, she serves as an investor at True Ventures, specializing in consumer and e-commerce startups.
 
  1. 9. Allie Fleder is a co-founder, COO, and Head of Business Development at SimplyWise, an innovative fintech company. SimpleWise has gained support from prominent investors, including Deciens, QED Investors, Village Global, XYZ Ventures, and Clocktower Technology Ventures, cementing its position as a pioneering force in the industry.
 
  1. 10. Tim Gill is a software engineer who was one of the first openly gay people in the Forbes 400 list. He is an LGBTQ activist who invested over $370 million with his foundation. Tim founded the Gill Foundation, one of the nation’s leading funders of the LGBTQ community and holds the record for the most significant personal donation to LGBTQ rights, with a total of $500 million. The Center recently awarded Tim the Edie Windsor Trailblazer with their husband, Scott Miller.
 
  1. 11. Patrick Driscoll is a General Partner at Chasing Rainbows, working alongside Ben Stokes to lead and manage LP relationships. With a focus on sourcing early-stage LGBTQ-led companies across diverse sectors, Patrick plays a pivotal role in driving the firm's mission. His expertise and strategic approach contribute to the success of Chasing Rainbows in supporting and empowering LGBTQ entrepreneurs.

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    12. Densil Porteous (He/They) is the CEO of Pride Fund 1, a $10 million venture capital vehicle that invests in companies led by LGBTQ+ founders or firms serving that community. He is also the Executive Director at Stonewall Columbus, a company dedicated to increasing visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community. 
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  4. 13. Pocket Sun is a Venture Capitalist and the Co-Founder & Managing Partner at SoGal Ventures. This next-generation early-stage venture capital firm is dedicated to supporting exceptional and diverse entrepreneurs beyond the confines of Silicon Valley.
 
  1. 14. Damian Pelliccione, CEO and Co-Founder of Revry, the world's first LGBTQ Global Content Streaming Network, brings over 15 years of digital and new media expertise. With a strong commitment to authentic representation and supporting the LGBTQ community, Damian has shared his passion and insights as a speaker at over 250 conferences and film festivals worldwide. His dedication to entrepreneurship and advocacy continues to make a positive impact.



  1. 15. Brandy Hoffman is the President & Chief Operating Officer at Matice Biosciences and Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Volition Beauty, a company that lets anyone submit a unique beauty idea with exciting ingredients. If the product and development team decides to move forward, the product goes to the pre-order stage, and ultimately the submitter can earn a commission on all net sales. Brandy served as the VP of Operations before founding Volition and has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and as one of Entrepreneur’s "100 Powerful Women."
  1. 16. Bunny McKensie Mack (they/them) is the Co-Founder and CEO of MMG, a Black and nonbinary-led global research and change management firm redefining innovation in the white-dominant change management industry. MMG leverages system thinking and data analytics to design policies through the lens of equity, accountability, and anti-oppression. Bunny is also an advisor for PBS via their BlackSciGirls initiative and has been featured in Fast Company, Refinery29, and Teen Vogue. They were also awarded the 2022 Business Insider HR Innovator and CAASE Visionary of the Year.
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  1. 17. Coty Craven (they/them) is the Co-Founder and former editor-in-chief of Can I Play That? (CIPT), an accessibility-focused game review and news site. Although Craven left the company in 2019, Can I Play That? continues to transform the gaming experience for the disabled community. Coty is a writer, producer, and accessibility expert.
 
  1. 18. Tonya M. Evans, known as The Only Black Queer Woman Explaining BlockChain, is the CEO of Advantage Evans, LLC. She was named to the prestigious Forbes 50 Over 50 List in the category of Investment to honor 50 women who are shaping the future of finance, fueling high-growth businesses and forging a more innovative and inclusive financial future. She was also named to the Fastcase 50 of 2021 list, an annual award recognizing 50 of the smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries, and leaders in the law. In 2018, Prof. Evans received the inaugural Blockchain Enterprise Award in the category of Governance.


  1. 19. Isabella Giancarlo (she/they) is the Founder and creative director of Tart, a New York-based branding and creative studio known for its distinctive, imaginative, and enjoyable approach. Specializing in crafting expressive and unexpected experiences, Tart brings a unique flavor to the creative landscape.

  1. 20. Jess Page is the co-founder and chief brand officer of Open Water, a company dedicated to reducing plastic waste by offering still and sparkling water in 100% recyclable refillable aluminum water bottles and cans. Open Water's innovative approach encourages sustainable choices and contributes to a greener future.
 
  1. 21. Kel Rakowski (she/her), the founder and CEO of Lex, leads the charge in connecting members of the queer community through their innovative social app. Lex provides a platform for individuals to make new friends, foster relationships, and enjoy themselves in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Under Rakowski's guidance, Lex continues to create meaningful connections and empower the queer community.

  1. 22. Nicole Doucet is the CEO and Co-Founder of Open Water, along with Jess Page, where they fight ocean plastic pollution with their recyclable and climate-neutral bottled water. Before that, Nicole was a risk management consultant and received her degrees from the University of Chicago School of Business and the University of Miami. 
  1. 23. Pedro Pina (He/Him) is the Head of YouTube Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Pina formerly worked for Google, where the Portuguese-born executive lead the relationship of Google with 10 of the largest companies in the world (representing $770B in sales and $19B in advertising spend) as they went through their multi-year digital transformation process. 

  1. 24. U.S. basketball legend Sue Bird joined forces with women's national soccer team star Megan Rapinoe to establish A Touch More, a production company with a focused mission. Their vision is to bring greater visibility to women's sports while amplifying stories of identity, activism, and underrepresented groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and women. This initiative is a collaborative effort with Togethxr, a media and commerce business co-founded by the dynamic athlete couple and other prominent U.S. sports stars, all dedicated to championing female voices within the realm of sports. 
 
  1. 25. Rachael Rapinoe (She/Her) is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mendi, a company dedicated to distributing functional wellness products that promote natural thriving. Mendi aims to make a positive impact in the world of athletics by creating a cannabis company that supports athletes across the United States. Prior to this venture, Rachael had a successful soccer career at UP and subsequently supported the career of their sister, Megan Rapinoe. Harnessing their expertise in sports, Rachael pursued a Master's degree in Health Studies in Exercise from Portland State University.
 
  1. 26. Scott Lewallen is the cofounder of Grindr, the largest and most popular all-male location-based social network, and is currently the founder and CEO of Mezic Media. He also advises UI/UX, mobile, design, and branding entrepreneurs. Scott is also the Vice President of TAG Gallery, a fine art gallery located on Museum Row of the Miracle Mile district in Los Angeles, California.
 
  1. 27. Stephanie Lampkin (She/Her) is the CEO and founder of Blendoor, a diversity analytics and hiring software company that ranks employers on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) performance to create a tech industry with less hiring bias and a more diverse workforce. Stephanie is a data scientist and thought leader, has been listed on Fortune's "40 under 40" list, is a Stanford and MIT grad, ski racer, and has helped companies including Microsoft, TripAdvisor, and Deloitte with software solutions. Stephanie was also featured in our list of 101 Black Tech Titans of 2022.
 
  1. 28. Suki Sandhu (He/Him) is CEO and Founder of INvolve and Audeliss, two globally-recognized consultancy firms that champion diversity and inclusion in business. In early 2022, Suki co-authored a book titled “How To Get Your Act Together: A Judgement-Free Guide to Diversity and Inclusion for Straight White Men” with Felicity Hassan.

     

  1. 29. Aubrey Blanche, also known as The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), is the Director of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp. As a startup investor and advisor, she brings a unique perspective to the table. Aubrey's passion lies in questioning, reimagining, and redesigning systems to ensure equitable opportunities for all. Her work is driven by a commitment to creating a more inclusive and fair society.
 
  1. 30. Alicia Garza is the Principal of Black Futures Lab, a think tank located in Oakland, Garza leads efforts to empower Black communities by cultivating their independent political influence on municipal, state, and federal levels. Additionally, she is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. Through her work, Garza strives to create transformative change and advocate for justice on a global scale.
 
  1. 31. Steph Jones is the Program Manager & Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Lead at Forum Ventures. They are an award-winning researcher with qualitative and quantitative expertise. She investigated and built equity-driven programs in the NYC public sector through public/private partnerships. They have since pivoted into VC, where you'll find them uplifting the voices and companies of underestimated founders and other dope things at Forum VC.

     

  1. 32. Melinda Briana Epler, renowned author of "How To Be An Ally," brings an impressive track record of over 25 years in driving business innovation and fostering inclusion. From startups to Fortune 500 companies and global NGOs, she has developed impactful strategies. As the founder and CEO of Empovia, Melinda is leading the charge in partnering with the tech industry to address diversity and inclusion challenges collectively.
 
  1. 33. Kyle Waters (He/Him) is the Co-Founder and CPO of Ash Wellness, a company that is paving the way for more inclusive and accessible healthcare by enabling providers and businesses alike to provide at-home diagnostics care to their patients. Kyle is also a Batch 27 founder, Cornell MBA graduate and former Deloitte Digital Senior Consultant.
 
  1. 34. David Stein (He/Him) is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ash Wellness, where David is building the future of at-home healthcare through remote diagnostics. Ash Wellness Inc. has raised a total of $6.6 million in funding. 
 
  1. 35. Madison Butler, a Black queer woman and survivor, is dedicated to designing inclusive spaces and implementing scalable strategies to foster psychological safety. As an outspoken mental health advocate, she utilizes storytelling, data, and tough empathy to facilitate difficult conversations and combat the stigma surrounding trauma. Madison also serves as an advisor for promoting a human-centered approach in the workplace. Her passion lies in creating a supportive environment where individuals can thrive and be their authentic selves.
 
  1. 36. Traci Keen serves as the CEO of Mate Fertility, a comprehensive fertility clinic offering a range of services across multiple U.S. states. With a commitment to accessibility, Mate Fertility provides both in-person and telemedicine options for individuals seeking fertility treatments, therapies, and comprehensive end-to-end fertility services.
 
 
  1. 37. Jessica Casano-Antonellis is Senior Vice President and Head of Communications at SiriusXM. In her influential role, she oversees and directs the company's comprehensive communications efforts, encompassing strategic communications, brand reputation management, and media relations.


 
  1. 38. Billie Simmons (She/Her) is the Co-Founder of Daylight, the first and only digital banking platform in the U.S. specifically designed for and by the LGBT+ community. She is one of only a handful of trans founders in the industry. Previously, she founded a startup to help trans and non-binary people access safe services.
 
  1. 39. Marceau Michel (It,Its,He,Him) is the Managing Director of Black Founders Matter, a $10 million seed-stage investment fund. Before Black Founders Matter, Marceau worked at Rogue Venture Partners. 
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  1. 40. Michael Samuelian, the Founding Director of the Jacobs Urban Tech Hub at Cornell Tech and the Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, is at the forefront of driving positive change in urban environments.
 
  1. 41. Dr. Tia Lyles-Williams, CEO and Founder of LucasPye BIO and HelaPlex, is a recognized leader in biotechnology. She has received accolades including being named a "Unicorn" by Philadelphia Magazines (2020), a 2021 Forbes NEXT Honoree, and a member of Inc. Magazine's 2021 Female Founders 100. Dr. Lyles-Williams is also CEO of Goffman Bougard, Inc. Their recent partnership with the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority will transform a vacant lot into a campus housing their headquarters and the HeLaPlex life sciences accelerator, which she also co-founded.
 
  1. 42. Breanne Acio (She/Her) is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sēkr, a technology platform simplifying the outdoor travel planning experience. Breanne also founded San Diego Campervans, a manufacturer of custom Class B RVs at affordable prices, and previously acquired and built Bongo Buggies, a camper van rental company, which she later exited.
 
  1. 43. Mio Akasako is the Co-Founder & VP of Design at Ash Wellness, a company that focuses on at-home healthcare through remote diagnostics. Previously Mio was Neuroscience Researcher at Kallyope. She is positioned at the intersection of neurology, tech, and design.
 
  1. 44. Cody Goodermote is the Head of Information Technology & Security at Felicis. He is an angel investor, a member of Gaingels and VCPEIT, and a board member at StartOut.
 
  1. 45. Kelly O'Connell is the Managing Partner of 360 Venture Collective and serves as an Advisory Board Member for various prestigious organizations, including StartOut, the University of California, Riverside's Design Thinking Program, the Simmons University AAEB, and Start Giving Local, which she also founded.
  1. 46. B. Pagels-Minor is the Founder of DVRGNT Ventures and was named a 40 Under 40 by the Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2021. B. loves building community, promoting diversity in tech, and prioritizes giving back to organizations like Howard Brown Health, rooted in LGBTQ liberation, and YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago on their board of directors.
 
  1. 47. Lindsey McInerney is the Founder and CEO of Black Sun Labs and the Co-Founder and CEO of Sixth Wall, the digital arm of Mila Kunis' Orchard Farm Productions. Sixth Wall stands out as one of the few all-female crypto teams, further highlighting Lindsey's exceptional leadership and expertise in the field.
  1. 48. Leanne Pittsford (She/Her) is an entrepreneur and investor. She is the CEO and Founder of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, the largest LGBTQ+ tech community in the world. Hosting 60,000+ members in 40+ cities. In 2021 they teamed up with Fast Company to produce the second annual list of LGBTQ womxn and nonbinary innovators in business and tech. The organization has helped individuals access 600,000+ job opportunities.

  1. 49. Chris Hughes is a Senior Fellow at the Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New School. His book, “Fair Shot”, makes the case that one percenters like him should pay their fortune forward in a radically simple way: a guaranteed income for working people. He was a co-founder of Facebook. A former member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Hughes now serves on the boards of the Economic Security Project, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Washington Square Park Conservancy. 

  1. 50. Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple. He took over Apple in 2011 and has created both social and operational innovation within the company, doubling the company’s revenue in the process. In 2022 Apple became the first company to reach a market value of $3 Trillion. Tim Cook also balances time on the Board of Directors at Nike and as an active philanthropist. 


  1. 51. Ben Stokes is the Founding Partner of Chasing Rainbows, an early-stage investment fund that supports LGBTQ+ founded companies and promotes equitable access to capital for underrepresented founders. In 2023, Ben was recognized as a 40 under 40 Rising Star of Venture by the Venture Capital Journal and as a 40 under 40 LGBTQ+ Pride Leader by Business Equality Magazine. In 2022, he was named one of the Top 100 Investors by Alumni Spotlight and was acknowledged by the NVCA as a Top LGBTQ+ Investor Making an Impact.
 
  1. 52. Kara Swisher is the Co-Host of the Pivot podcast for New York Media. Annually Kara co-produces the Code Conference with Walt Mossberg, covering tech and media titans such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and many other thought tech leaders.
 
  1. 53. Angelica Ross is the Founder & CEO of TransTech Social Enterprises, an incubator for LGBTQ Talent in our community. Her breakthrough role was as Candy in FX’s Pose. She is a self-taught computer programmer who accredits technology for keeping her from living on the margins.
 
  1. 54. John Amaechi OBE is a best-selling New York Times author and CEO of APS Intelligence Ltd. He is a non-executive director of a £2.4bn healthcare organization, in addition to being a board advisor for several FTSE100 organizations in the financial, legal and professional services, technology, publishing, engineering and retail sectors. In 2019, John was recognized as one of HR’s most influential thinkers by HR Magazine.
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  3. 55. LaFawn Davis is the Senior Vice President of Social & Governance at Indeed, the world’s #1 job website. She has 15 years of experience in strategic leadership and previously used her experience with Twilio and PayPal’s inclusion department. LaFawn has a deep understanding of HR and worked in People Operations at Yahoo and Google. In 2020 & 2021 she was named to Fast Company's "Queer50" list and was mentioned in the 2021 Entrepreneur Magazine “100 Women of Impact.”
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  1. 56. Megan Smith is the CEO at shift7, a collaborative platform that focuses on economic, social, and environmental challenges. She is the former Chief Technology Officer of the United States, and was appointed in 2014 by President Obama as the first-ever female in the role. Prior, she was a VP at Google, where she helped launch the company's Solve For X and Women Techmakers initiatives. She's also previously served as CEO of LGBTQ+ online media company Planet Out.
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  1. 57. Megan Rose Dickey (She/Her) is the Chief Content Officer at Backstage Capital. Megan was previously a Senior Reporter at TechCrunch and Protocol. There, she focused on diversity and inclusion in tech and the intersecting worlds of tech and social justice activism. She has extensive experience in print, radio, and television journalism, covering various topics such as technology and startups, city government, education, community activism, non-profit organizations, recreational activities, the judicial system, and business. Megan can also be found on our 2022 list of 101 Black Tech Tech Titans.
 
  1. 58. Sally Susman is the Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Pfizer, one of the world's premier biopharmaceutical companies. Pfizer continues to be a household name as they distributed the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19. She is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and believes that working alongside underrepresented groups is ideal for social progression. Previously Sally worked at Estée Lauder and American Express.

  1. 59. Kyle Pierce is the Co-Founder and COO of Options MD, the largest community of people with severe and treatment-resistant depression. In February 2023, Kyle was featured on our '5 on Funding' LinkedIn newsletter. Kyle wants to explore how using technology and harnessing data can create social impact as it relates to health tech entrepreneurial ventures.
 
  1. 60. Claudia Brind-Woody (She/Her) is the Vice President & Managing Director for Global Intellectual Property Licensing at IBM/Kyndryl Partnership and co-chairs the company’s LGBTQ taskforce. In 2019 she was named to Business Insider's 23 most powerful LGBTQ+ people in tech.
 
  1. 61. Tamara Littleton is the founder and CEO of The Social Element, a social media agency that works with some of the world’s biggest brands including HSBC, Nissan, Oreos, Peloton, Keurig Dr Pepper, Smirnoff and Visa to ensure their social media is creating genuine human connections with consumers.  Additionally, Tamara is a co-founder of Polpeo, a crisis software company that develops lifelike and immersive crisis simulations to effectively equip teams for crisis communication. Her remarkable achievements include being named CEO of the year by The Drum, featuring in the prestigious Yahoo Finance Top 100 LGBT+ Executives list, and earning the esteemed title of Fellow of The Marketing Society.

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    62. Pips Bunce (She/Her/They) is Director and Head of Global Markets Core Engineering Integration Components at Credit Suisse, a global investment bank and financial service. An experienced and accomplished IT Executive, senior leader, technical architect, public speaker, coach and mentor. With extensive knowledge and over 33 years’ experience and industry best practice across the global financial markets and technology sectors including Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, UBS and Bank of England.

    A regular and prolific public speaker, panelist, presenter and media contributor, raising awareness on a range of themes from Artificial Intelligence and Technology to Inclusive Leadership, The Power of Allyship, Intersectionality and LGBTQI+ Inclusion, plus a wide range of other themes.
 
  1. 63. Pat Law, named one of Singapore's Most Influential Creative Directors, founded GOODSTUPH and grew it into a multi-million agency within three years. She expanded its presence to Jakarta and Bangkok, while also serving on the Cannes Lions jury and chairing Hall of Fame, a renowned advertising award show in Singapore.
 
  1. 64. Kathy Teo is the Founder and CEO of Xpointo Media, a dynamic digital marketing company that empowers brands to unlock the full marketing potential of digital channels. Serving as part digital agency, Xpointo works closely with clients to create compelling digital campaigns that seamlessly integrate social media, search, mobile, and other key elements. Beyond that, Xpointo functions as a digital labs hub, developing innovative new media products to tackle diverse digital marketing challenges.
 
  1. 65. Rachel Tipograph is the Founder and CEO of MikMak, a global platform revolutionizing analytics and e-commerce enablement for product manufacturers and CPG companies. As the founder and CEO, Rachel empowers businesses to gain valuable insights into their customers' online behavior, optimize marketing budget allocation, and boost sales.
 
  1. 66. Ann Mei Chang, CEO of Candid and author of "Lean Impact: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good," brings a wealth of experience from her extensive technology background. With over 20 years in the industry, she has held leadership positions at renowned companies like Google, Apple, and Intuit, as well as various startups.
 
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  2. 67. Fran Dunaway is a media executive-turned-fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of TomboyX, a Seattle-based gender neutral underwear and apparel brand launched in 2013. The brand started as a passion project in collaboration with her wife and co-founder Naomi Gonzalez to create the perfect button-up shirt, pivoting to focus on underwear based on the overwhelming demand for their first boxer brief for women.
  1. 68. Brian Richardson is the CEO of StartOut, a San Francisco nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs
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  1. 69. Dr. Vivienne Ming is a Professional Mad Scientist, Co-Founder & Executive Chair at Socos Labs and Dionysus Health. She is an advocate for inclusiveness in AI and transgender rights. In 2017 she was named one of the BBC 100 Women and named one of “10 Women to Watch in Tech” by Inc. Magazine. Ming is a Neuroscientist and entrepreneur who invented AI systems to help her diabetic son with treatment. She is frequently mentioned in Forbe’s, Financial Times, the Atlantic and the New York Times. 
 
  1. 70. Martine Rothblatt, the Chairman & CEO of United Therapeutics Corporation, founded the company with the noble aim of saving her daughter's life from a rare disease. United Therapeutics, a biotech firm committed to finding cures for life-threatening diseases, notably being the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company in the form of a public benefit corporation.
  1. 71. Hayley Sudbury (She/Her) is the CEO and Founder of WERKIN, a platform that uses behavioral science to help master inclusive leadership behaviors. The company has raised $3 million from angel investors. She was named to Yahoo Finance’s OUTstanding Top 100 Role Model LGBT+ Executives in 2020. 
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  1. 72. Haily Marzullo the Founder and CEO of Humankind, a brand specializing in mix-and-match, gender-inclusive swimwear and activewear, they have successfully created a line that prioritizes both comfort and style
  1. 74. Todd founded Out Leadership with the goal of promoting the economic advantages and talent dividends that result from inclusion. He pioneered the creation of the first team of financial advisors on Wall Street specifically dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community.

     

    75. Debra Chrapaty (She/Her) is the Vice President and COO of Amazon Alexa. She is an entrepreneur and an active investor. Previously she was the Chief Technology Officer at Wells Fargo. With more than 35 years as an executive for startups and global tech giants, she brought her skills to Amazon. She’s currently involved with Amazon’s employee LGBTQ group, Glamazon. In 2021 she was named to Fast Company’s “Queer50 list,” a list of LGBTQ women and nonbinary innovators shaping our world.
 
  1. 76. Gina Trapani (She/Her) is the Managing Partner at Postlight, a digital transformation platform. She is an engineer, web developer, and tech writer. Before Postlight she founded Lifehacker, which was acquired by Univision in 2016. Gina was named to Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology in 2010 and Business Insiders’ 2019, 23 Most Powerful LGBTQ+ people in tech.  
  1. 77. Jimena Almendares (She/Her) is a General Manager, Product + Engineering, Customer Experience at Meta. Previously, she was the Vice President of Global Expansion at Intuit. Once upon a time, she was the Chief Product Officer at OkCupid and she was part of the c-suite that lead them through IPO.

  1. 78. Caitlin Kalinowski is the Head of AR Hardware for Meta’s AR/VR division. Caitlin designed the newest Oculus, a Virtual Reality Headset. In 2018 Caitlin was named to Business Insiders’ “39 most powerful female engineers of 2018.” Previously she worked at Apple and co-produced the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Caitlin is on the board of Lesbians Who Tech, the largest LGBTQ tech event in the world.  

  3. 79. Beth Ford is the President and CEO of Land O’Lakes and the first openly gay woman CEO of an American Fortune 500 company. Land O’Lakes is a farmer-owned cooperative that works across the United States and in dozens of countries around the world. When she was appointed CEO, she was 1 of only 25 women leading Fortune 500 companies. Beth is an advocate for broadband and new technologies in agriculture and rural communities so they can stabilize. She believes the key to preserving American agriculture relies on innovation, technology, and political stability. In the past, Ford brought her talents to Exxon Mobil, Pepsi, Scholastic, and other companies. She was named to Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women” list three times and Fast Company’s “Queer 50” list for her influence and accomplishments.
  1. 80. As the first openly gay CEO in Central and Eastern Europe, Peter co-founded and led Prezi for 12 years. During his tenure, Prezi became the largest repository of publicly available presentations with over 140 million users. Peter's entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond Prezi, as he co-founded and chaired Bridge Budapest, inspiring half of Hungary's population with entrepreneurial ideas annually.   
  1. 81. Brad Lande-Shannon (He/Him) is the Chief Marketing Officer of Madison Reed, a sustainable subscription-based luxury hair brand. Previously Brad was Cheif of Maretking at Spring Health, a mental healthcare platform. He is a Brand Alchemist who uses creativity to make a social impact. Brad is formerly an SVP of Global Brand & Marketing at Culture Amp, an employee culture management system. He is currently on the Strategic Advisory Board at FREQUENCY, a live-stream emotional fitness platform. 
  1. 82. Tara Bunch (She/Her) is the Global Head of Operations of AirBnB. She is a DEI leader and works closely with Out & Equal, a nonprofit that promotes equality in the workplace for people that identify as LGBTQ. Before working for AirBnB she worked for Hewlett-Packard and Apple. In 2021 Vanguard Tara was named to Vanguard’s board of trustees. Vanguard is an American registered investment advisor with about $7 trillion in global assets.
  1. 83. In 2022, Tag Warner's remarkable achievements were recognized as they were named to Forbes' prestigious "30 Under 30" list. As the CEO of GAY TIMES and founder of Amplifund, Tag continues to make significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and the media industry.
 
  1. 84. Jake Bullock, the Co-founder of Cann, is revolutionizing social drinking with their line of gluten-free and vegan THC-infused beverages. Cann is on a mission to reshape the way we enjoy beverages, offering a unique and inclusive experience for all.
  1. 85. Paola Fernandez, the Founder and CEO of High Hemp, heads the pioneering all-organic herbal wrap company based in Orlando. With a background of seven years at her father's tobacco company, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.
  1. 86. Liz Jenkins is the COO of Hello Sunshine, a media company owned by Reese Witherspoon. Hello Sunshine centers the stories of women and young girls, amplifying their narrative. She is on the board at Glaad and previously worked for Sony, General Electric, and Credit Suisse.
  1. 87. Jackson B is and Investor and advocate for LGBTQ wealth. Co-Founder of LGBT+ VC, a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing LGBT and ally venture investors through business and tech investing.
  1. 88. Tiana Tukes, together with Jackson Block, is the co-founder of LGBT+VC, a nonprofit based in New York. Their shared vision is to drive the progress of the LGBTQ+ and allied venture capital community.
  1. 89. Andrea Barrica (she/they) is the CEO and Co-Founder of O.school, a judgment-free platform for sexuality education. Author of "Sex Tech Revolution." Formerly co-founded inDinero.com and served as a venture partner at 500 Startups. Driving positive change through education and technology.
  1. 90. Nitin Rai, the Founder and Managing partner of Elevate Capital, spearheads a dynamic Oregon-based venture capital firm. Elevate Capital stands out for its unwavering commitment to supporting and mentoring underrepresented entrepreneurs. With Nitin Rai at the helm, the firm paves the way for greater diversity and inclusivity in the startup ecosystem, driving innovation and empowering underrepresented voices.
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  1. 91. Amy Siskind, the Founder and general partner at Causeway Investments, spearheads a prominent New York-based firm specializing in the venture capital secondary market. Causeway Investments plays a pivotal role in providing liquidity, facilitating transactions, and unlocking value in the venture capital ecosystem.
  1. 92. Deirdre O’Brien is the SVP of Retail and People at Apple Inc. On the retail side, she focuses on the connection between customers and the company via retail experiences that inspire and educate. On the people operations side, Deirdre works to help Apple connect, develop, and care for its employees. Deirdre oversees more than 130k employees via her quest for an inclusive workplace. She has been named on Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” and Fast Company’s “Queer 50” lists.
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  1. 93. Stephenie Landry is the Worldwide Vice President of Grocery, Amazon. Stephenie has been with Amazon.com for almost 20 years and during that time she has been a founding team member of Amazon Fresh, and she led the conception and launch of several initiatives including Amazon Student, Amazon Mom, and Prime Pantry. Landry has been active in promoting the queer community at Amazon. She is the Executive Officer of Amazon’s gay, lesbian, trans, and ally affinity group—internally dubbed “Glamazons”—which counts more than 5,000 members and has 100 chapters worldwide. The group helps members connect and help organize gatherings at Pride festivals throughout the world. 
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  1. 94. Shamina Singh (She/Her) is the President of the Center for Inclusion and the Executive Vice President of Sustainability at Mastercard. Shamina activates philanthropic dollars to advance inclusive growth and financial inclusion around the world. For more than 20 years, Shamina Singh has been on the frontlines of developing and implementing solutions to make the global economy work for everyone, everywhere. In her role as EVP for Sustainability, she is responsible for the development and implementation of environmental, social, and governance strategies across the company. She has been named to the Financial Times’ “Top 100 LGBT+ Executives” and was recently named on Fast Company’s “Queer 50” list.
  1. 95. Nichole Mustard is the Chief Revenue Officer of Credit Karma, a business she co-founded. She helped to grow it from a small consumer finance platform aimed at providing free credit scores at the beginning of the recession in 2007 into a 100-million member community with access to a marketplace of more than 100 financial service providers. Credit Karma was recently acquired by Intuit for approximately $7.1 billion in cash and stock. She oversees a team that stresses humility and relationship building in business, making sure Credit Karma’s innovation isn’t the only thing setting the company apart.
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  1. 96. Jen Wong is the Chief Operating Officer at Reddit. Reddit is an online network of communities, with over 430+ million average monthly active users. Before joining Reddit, Wong served as president and COO of Time, where she was the highest-ranking female executive. Before that, she served as PopSugar’s chief business officer and even spent a stint as AOL’s global head of business operations. Under Wong’s leadership, Reddit was valued at $6 billion in February 2021, doubling its previous 2019 valuation.
  1. 97. Jana Rich is the Founder & CEO of Rich Talent Group. For more than 25 years, Jana has partnered with leading companies, from the early-stage to Fortune 500, helping to build leadership teams and boards fit for the future. Her clients – which include Adobe, Peloton, Eventbrite, Affirm, Lululemon, and Epic Games – have launched revolutions, small and large, that have changed the way we do business today. Jana has been honored three times by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business.”
  1. 98. Cindy Holland an Advisor at Genvid Technologies Inc. and known for being the former VP for Original Content at Netflix. A 16-year Netflix career with the company. Holland is responsible for acquiring and launching original series for over 130 million Netflix global members and was named to the 2018 Time “100 list of most influential people.” Many people draw a link between Netflix’s issues and Cindy Holland‘s departure in 2020.
  1. 99. Emma Mcilroy (she/her) is the CEO and Co-Founder of Wildfang, a gender-fluid apparel company. Wildfang, German for tomboy, began as a boutique in Portland to create a safe and inclusive space for members of the LGBTQ community to connect and shop. Today, Wildfang has locations in New York and Los Angeles. Emma previously worked at Nike and Barclays Bank but is influenced most by her time as a middle-distance runner. Recently Emma was named to the 2022 Class of Henry Crown Fellows.
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  1. 100. Natalia Oberti Noguera, as the Founder and CEO of Pipeline Angels, leads a dedicated group of angel investors who fulfill the crucial role of serving as the friends and family round for entrepreneurs. Pipeline Angels specializes in supporting a diverse range of founders, with a particular focus on trans and cis women, agender, gender non-confirming, nonbinary, and two-spirit individuals.
  1. 101. Chad Billmyer (He/Him) is the SVP of Product at Slickdeals. Previously Chad co-founded Panjo, an auto, sport, and hobby enthusiasts marketplace. Tapatalk acquired Panjo in August 2017. the only shopping platform powered by millions of avid shoppers
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