Brenda Darden Wilkerson: A Champion of Resilience and Inclusion in Tech

Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org, is the recipient of AFN's 2024 Patty Brandmeier Resilience Award. This prestigious honor commemorates the legacy of Patty Brandmeier, a distinguished leader in the Central Intelligence Agency who found purpose in tackling complex challenges and continuously uplifting others. Brenda's work embodies the essence of this award, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusion and resilience in the tech industry.

Impact Through Leadership

As the leader of AnitaB.org, Brenda views this recognition as a call to action. She is committed to ensuring her organization continues to make a meaningful impact, much like Patty did in her career. She believes being prepared for unforeseen challenges is key to lasting influence. Just as Patty could not have predicted the events of 9/11 yet rose to meet the challenge, Brenda aims to lead her organization with the same level of preparedness and adaptability.

Brenda's approach to leadership is deeply rooted in her belief that technology should serve humanity. While many perceive tech as detached from human concerns, she sees it as an essential tool for uplifting people. She aims to ensure that the tech ecosystem remains a force for good, accessible, and beneficial to all.

A Journey into Tech

Brenda's path to the tech industry was not conventional. Initially set on a medical career, she pivoted when she realized that the field did not align with her desire to directly support people in a meaningful way. While studying biomedical engineering, she was introduced to programming, which ignited her passion for problem-solving. This shift led her to a career at the intersection of technology and human impact, where she has remained ever since.

She credits her problem-solving nature and creativity for her success in tech, noting that computer science is an incredibly creative field. Over time, she recognized the power of technology to drive social change, reinforcing her commitment to ensuring that the field remains inclusive and accessible to all.

Optimism for the Future

Despite the rapid advancements and shifts in the tech industry, Brenda remains optimistic about its future. She finds hope in pioneers who have paved the way, such as Anita Borg, Jane Margolis, and Katherine Johnson—women who have shaped technology and fought for inclusivity and ethical progress. She believes that as new technologies emerge, there will be an increasing focus on ensuring they are created by diverse minds prioritizing serving humanity.

The Changing Landscape of Tech

The pandemic transformed how people engage with technology, forcing industries to adapt rapidly to remote work and digital collaboration. Brenda sees this as just one example of how resilience is necessary in navigating change. She notes that AI and automation are reshaping the workforce, making it imperative to prioritize ethical considerations, cybersecurity, and the elimination of bias in tech development.

As programming evolves with low-code and no-code platforms, traditional approaches to software development are being disrupted. Brenda emphasizes that while technological efficiency is essential, it must not come at the expense of ethical responsibility or human impact. The challenge lies in leveraging innovation while ensuring that automation does not displace opportunities for people but instead enhances them.

Resilience in Leadership

For Brenda, resilience in leadership is about prioritizing people above all else. She acknowledges that businesses often focus on success at the cost of unintended consequences for individuals. In her leadership role, she constantly considers how her decisions impact employees, users, and communities at large.

She maintains resilience by reminding herself she is part of a larger continuum of leaders who have faced and overcome adversity. She draws inspiration from figures like Hedy Lamarr, whose groundbreaking work in frequency-hopping technology laid the foundation for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi yet went largely unrecognized in her time. Reflecting on these stories fuels Brenda's determination to persevere.

Empowering Her Team

Brenda fosters resilience within her organization by leading with love and respect for each individual's humanity. She believes in giving people choices and empowering them to make decisions that align with their vision. Storytelling is another powerful tool she uses—sharing examples of resilience to remind her team that they are not alone in their struggles. Keeping a broad perspective and focusing on long-term goals allows her to help others navigate challenges without losing sight of their purpose.

Innovation and Inclusion at AnitaB.org

Brenda envisions AnitaB.org as a leader in driving innovation. She is committed to ensuring that the organization continues to serve as a convener of diverse minds, particularly in shaping the future of AI. She stresses that meaningful innovation requires diverse perspectives; without them, progress stalls. By bringing together people with different experiences, the organization aims to foster ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking technological advancements.

In addition to advancing innovation, Brenda sees the organization as crucial in supporting small businesses and startups, particularly those that aim to create solutions for global challenges. Her goal is to ensure that the tech industry continues to prioritize impact over profit, keeping humanity at the core of every advancement.

Final Reflections

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Brenda's response was clear: ignore the naysayers, let go of perfectionism, and take ownership of her power. She acknowledges that women are often held back by self-doubt and the expectation of perfection. She believes individuals can unlock their full potential by embracing imperfection and seizing opportunities without waiting for validation.

Brenda Darden Wilkerson's leadership is a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and purpose. Through her work at AnitaB.org, she continues to champion inclusivity in tech, ensuring that future generations benefit from a more equitable and ethical technological landscape. As she looks ahead, she remains steadfast in her mission to shape an industry that serves people first—just as Patty Brandmeier exemplified throughout her life.