SHE Suite: Telle Whitney

By May 20, 2025Member Spotlights

Full name: Telle Whitney

Did you have an Aha moment in your career?
I’ve had several Aha moments that have changed my life. The first was when I discovered Computer Science as an undergraduate. I took my first CS course and knew at that moment that it was where I belonged. The second was when I started my career in Silicon Valley. I started at a research lab, which I had been trained to do, but I realized quickly that my passion was as an entrepreneur. Within a year and a half, I was at a startup.

The third Aha moment was when I left tech companies to take over a very young and unsustainable non-profit, the Anita Borg Institute. I had been reluctant to leave tech, but the Aha moment was when I realized that the work that I could do would change people’s lives. I’ve been doing this work since.

Is there a mentor in your life who helped you get where you are today?
I will mention two important mentors: Carver Mead was my PhD thesis advisor, and a very important mentor to me. He always encouraged me to stay focused, focused on the science. His unwavering support early on encouraged me to explore. All my early mentors were men, because they had what I wanted – power and expertise.

Maria Klawe, the former president of Harvey Mudd College, is also an important mentor even today. She was the chair of the Anita Borg board for the first 10 years I was there. She is an outstanding leader and taught me how to lead people and get them to do their best work.

What is a piece of advice you’d want a 20-year-old to hear?
I often talk to students, and the most critical advice I give is to have the courage to take risks and go for it. All of us have moments when we have opportunities that push our boundaries Especially when you are starting, taking the risk to try something new is essential. Some risks will work out, some will not. Failures are as critical as success. But you will never know if you don’t try new ideas and projects.

What is success for you?
Success for me is about having an impact. Today, I have the chance to meet with the next generation of technology leaders, and I see the fire in their eyes. If I have even a small part in encouraging their success, that is my success.

What is something you love doing?
I love working with people, including Lauren Pimpare, at Tomorrow’s Women TODAY. I love seeing the organization’s impact on its members. When I am not working, I love hiking. I live near Santa Cruz, California, and there are remarkable hikes in the redwoods within fifteen minutes of my home. Many of the hikes in Santa Cruz include beautiful views of the ocean. There is nothing more meditative than being in nature.