In a city renowned for its rich history and cutting-edge innovation, Boston is home to women who are making significant strides in the tech industry. From artificial intelligence to fintech, these leaders are driving technological advancements and fostering inclusive cultures within their organizations. In this blog post, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of some of Boston's top women in tech. Get ready to be inspired by their journeys, their expertise, and their unwavering commitment to shaping the future of technology.
Abha Dogra, Chief Technology, Product and Digital Officer at CAE
Abha Dogra is a member of Executive Management Committee at CAE. She leads a global team of 5,000, driving technology and product innovation to enhance business growth. With over 20 years in the tech industry, she has extensive experience in SaaS, enterprise solutions, and digital transformation. Previously, she was the North America CIO and SVP of Global Digital Technology at Schneider Electric. Abha holds master's degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration.
Annie Jean-Baptiste, Product Management Executive at Google
Annie joined Google in 2010 and co-launched a program to support marginalized SMBs online. She moved to the DEI team to develop holistic DEI strategies with senior leaders. Annie created the Product Inclusion & Equity framework to integrate inclusivity in product design, enhancing user experience and business growth. She’s been an intrapreneur at UPenn, NomGov board chair at KQED, and held various advisory roles, showcasing her commitment to diversity and business innovation.
Ashish Larivee, Vice President, Products - Secure Product Line at HashiCorp
Ashish Larivee is an outcome-focused and passionate product leader with a proven track record in the cybersecurity industry. Skilled in product management, go-to-market strategy, and business development, he excels in SaaS and start-up environments. Ashish is adept at identifying new market opportunities and creating innovative products. She holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and is known for her strong business acumen and ability to drive product success in new and existing markets.
Ashley Nagle Eknaian, Chief Digital Officer at Eastern Bank
Ashley Nagle Eknaian is a seasoned leader in digital strategy and innovation. With over 20 years of experience, she has held key roles at State Street and serves on the boards of Monit and Fincura. Ashley is also a founding fellow of Boston University's Innovation Quorum and has chaired the M.S. Digital Innovation for FinTech program at Brandeis University. Known for her passion for digital transformation and fintech, she is a sought-after speaker and eternal optimist.
Barbara Cousins, Chief Information Security Officer at Flywire
With 25 years of experience across various industries, Barbara Cousins has extensive expertise in risk management and regulatory compliance. Previously, she served as the Information Security Officer for Devonshire Investors (Fidelity) and as Director of IT Risk and Security at KPMG. Barbara is known for her leadership in managing crises and advising senior executives on IT risk and security issues.
Bela Labovitch, Vice President, Engineering at athenahealth
Bela Labovitch is a results-driven Technology Executive with extensive experience in Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Financial Services, Publishing, and eCommerce. She excels in creating technology visions, building high-performing teams, and delivering quality software solutions on time and under budget. Bela is recognized as one of the Top 25 Women Leaders in Healthcare Software (2019, 2020) and a 2022 HBA Luminary Award recipient.
Bridget Collins, Chief Information and Business Transformation Officer at Rapid7
Bridget Collins is an accomplished IT executive with extensive global experience in business transformation and operations within the technology sector. She has held key roles at Cerence Inc. and Nuance Communications. Bridget excels in strategy, enterprise software, and program management, driving value and positive impact. She is a strategic partner and effective communicator, dedicated to aligning technology with business goals.
Christina Crowley, Senior Vice President, Services Operations at Dell Technologies
Christina Crowley leads a team of 1,500+ professionals driving operational excellence and innovation. With 12 years at Dell, she has excelled in strategic leadership roles across various domains, focusing on revenue growth, cost optimization, and customer experience. In 2023, she is recognized as a CRN Mentor of the Year and one of the 100 Most Powerful Women of the Channel, Christina is a CPA passionate about diversity, inclusion, and professional development. She serves on several influential boards, including the Boston American Heart Association.
Courtney Trudeau, SVP, Technology Strategy Lead at Merkle
Courtney Trudeau is a seasoned Marketing Technology Executive with over 23 years of experience in digital experience strategy, B2B and eCommerce technology. She excels in creating actionable roadmaps and advising on implementation, focusing on data management, ID resolution, analytics, and orchestration. Courtney leads efforts in digital property development, CRM, marketing automation, and personalization, driving advanced functionality and strategic technology enablement.
Dorit Levy-Zilbershot, VP of Product Management, AI at ServiceNow
Dorit Levy-Zilbershot is a seasoned Engineering Leader with extensive experience in product management, AI, and machine learning. She has a proven track record in building and scaling R&D teams and has held key roles at Attivio and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Passionate about healthcare and technology, Dorit excels in on-premise and cloud deployments, mentoring, and customer-facing skills.
Kat Sweet, Vice President, IT at Acquia
Kat Sweet has held leadership roles in Sales, Finance, Engineering, and IT since joining Acquia in 2011. Kat ensures all employees have the tools they need and that corporate data flows efficiently and securely. Prior to Acquia, she consulted in alternative fuel development. She holds a BS from Harvard College and an MS from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kathleen Kennedy, Executive Director at MIT Center for Collective Intelligence
Kathleen Kennedy spearheads MIT Horizon, enhancing AI education and digital transformation. Kathleen is a venture partner at Good Growth Capital and was instrumental in launching The Engine. Her career includes leadership roles such as President of Technology Review and MIT Enterprise Forum. She frequently speaks at global conferences and has been recognized as one of Boston's Most Influential Women.
Kerry Hannigan Munz, Chief Technology Officer at Articulate
Kerry Hannigan Munz previously served as CTO at Vendr and held key engineering leadership roles at HubSpot, Conjur, and Cisco. Kerry's extensive experience spans various positions from software engineering to VP of Engineering, demonstrating expertise in platform infrastructure, DevOps security, and network services. She holds a BS and MS, underscoring her commitment to advancing technology and innovation.
Kim Salem-Jackson, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Akamai
Kim Salem-Jackson leads Akamai's global marketing initiatives, including brand, corporate communications, and product marketing. Known for building high-performing, purpose-driven teams, Kim drives innovation and strategic growth. She also serves on the Akamai Foundation Board, supporting diversity in tech and global humanitarian aid. Kim is a 2021 CMO Award winner and a member of several prestigious executive boards and councils.
Laura Rippy, Managing Partner and Board Member at Alumni Ventures
Laura Rippy leads the Women's Fund, supporting women-led tech startups. With extensive experience as a CEO, board member, and advisor in high-tech companies, she drives investment in diverse, innovative ventures. Under her leadership, the Women's Fund builds intentionally diversified portfolios, enhancing opportunities for female founders and co-founders. Laura holds an MBA from Harvard and an AB in Government from Dartmouth.
Laura Major, Chief Technology Officer at Motional
Laura Major is leading the development of autonomous driving technologies. With a robust background in engineering and leadership roles at Hyundai Aptiv, Aptiv, and Aria Insights, she brings extensive expertise in autonomous mobility and human-systems collaboration. Laura's innovative vision and technical acumen drive advancements in safe and reliable self-driving solutions. She held a distinguished career at Draper Laboratory, where she led multidisciplinary teams and strategic initiatives.
Maria Julia Gutierrez, Chief Digital Officer at City of Boston
Maria Julia Gutierrez brings over a decade of experience in technology and public service. Previously, she served as Senior Engagement Manager at the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security. She has also worked as a Project Manager and Michael S. Dukakis Policy Fellow. Maria's expertise spans digital transformation, policy implementation, and project coordination, making her a pivotal figure in advancing Boston's digital initiatives.
Monica Caldas, EVP, Global Chief Information Officer at Liberty Mutual Insurance
Monica Caldas is a Global Information Technology & Digital Transformation Executive known for her innovative strategies and passion for technology. She excels in driving digital transformation across industries. With high integrity, energy, and cultural dexterity, Monica inspires teams, fosters diversity, and promotes STEM. She partners effectively with stakeholders to deliver real solutions and achieve operational excellence.
Nirva Fereshetian, Principal Chief Information Officer at CBT Architects
Nirva Fereshetian is leading the Digital Design Practice Group and aligning technology strategy with business objectives at CBT Architects. An experienced IT leader, she excels in project and team management with an interdisciplinary background in architecture, construction, and technology, leveraging her expertise to enhance business decisions and productivity. Nirva holds a B.S. in Architecture from Catholic University and a Master's in Architecture from UCLA.
Orla Daly, Chief Information Officer at Skillsoft
Orla Daly is a problem solver and change leader with a successful track record in managing multi-faceted strategic programs. She drives IT and business partnerships, delivering immediate value and long-term improvements. With a focus on business process improvement and governance, Orla excels in cross-functional team management, analytical thinking, and customer-focused results. Her expertise spans IT integration, business process standardization, and strategic program execution.
Rajitha Chaparala, VP of Product, Data & AI at Procore Technologies
Rajitha Chaparala is passionate about AI and data analytics with over 20 years of experience. She has built products and data analytics operations from the ground up, driving data-driven business decisions. With an MBA in Technology Management and experience in financial services, telecommunications, energy, and SaaS, Rajitha is dedicated to transforming the construction industry by enhancing efficiencies and mitigating risks.
Sanjana Chandak, VP, Global Technology at Bank of America
Sanjana Chandak is leading independent validation of technical capabilities with a focus on risks and controls. With experience in defense and banking, she delivers data and compliance-driven solutions. A certified scrum master and product owner, she excels in managing cross-functional teams and developing strategic roadmaps. Currently pursuing an MBA at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, she enjoys hiking, volunteering, discussing education, and coffee.
Sumita Palanisamy, Director of Engineering at CarGurus
Sumita Palanisamy is leading teams in building innovative solutions for the online automotive marketplace. With over 15 years of experience in software engineering, she specializes in product platforms, data analytics, machine learning, and web development. A certified OKR coach, she aligns and empowers teams to achieve strategic goals. Sumita is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech and mentors underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
Tamara Milne, Chief Digital Officer at Acrisure
Tamara M. Zaichkowsky is recognized by FinTech Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Women in FinTech 2024." She has extensive experience in leadership roles, including Chief Restructuring Officer at Santander Bank and Head of Technology, Operations, Learning & Development at Santander US. Tamara has a strong background in product management and business transformation, with previous roles at Brown Brothers Harriman, and State Street.
Tracy Schroeder, VP Information Services & Technology and Chief Data Officer at Boston University
Tracy Schroeder is a senior higher education technology leader with extensive experience in technology modernization, digital adoption, and transformation. She has been with Boston University for 15 years, currently serving as the VP of Information Services & Technology and Chief Data Officer.
The stories of these remarkable women highlight the diverse paths and profound impact that women leaders can have in the tech industry. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and resilience. As they continue to break barriers and set new standards, they pave the way for the next generation of women in tech. We hope their journeys inspire you to pursue your own aspirations in the world of technology. Stay tuned for more profiles of trailblazing women who are transforming industries and communities with their vision and leadership.
