Dream Con Spotlights Women in Technology

This Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting the women pushing technology forward while inspiring the next generation to do the same. These leaders prove that impact comes in many forms.

‍

Lisa Gelobter

Before social media defined how we communicate online, Lisa Gelobter was already shaping the digital world behind the scenes. A computer scientist and internet pioneer, she played a key role in the development of early web technologies that made online media more dynamic and engaging.

‍

She is often recognized for her contributions to the creation of animated GIF technology, the same format that fuels memes and reactions today. Her work laid the foundation for how we express emotion and culture in real time. She currently operates as the Chief Technology Officer of New York City.

‍

Beyond her technical achievements, Gelobter has been a champion for diversity in tech, founding initiatives like tEQuitable that support underrepresented communities and advocating for inclusive spaces.

‍

Did You Know? Gelobter worked on the development and launch team for Hulu, helping shape how people stream and experience content in the streaming era.

Angie Jones

Angie Jones is helping define what comes next as artificial intelligence evolves, especially in the space of agentic AI. With a background in software engineering and developer advocacy, she has become a leading voice in making advanced tech more accessible and understandable.

‍

Her current work as VP, Developer Experience at Agentic AI Foundation, focuses on empowering developers to build smarter, more autonomous systems that can reason, adapt, and act. Through talks and workshops, she’s helping bridge the gap between AI research and real-world application.

‍

Jones is also deeply committed to education and mentorship, using her platform to encourage more women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in tech. Jones hosts a number of online courses about Java, APIs, and more available on her website.

‍

Did You Know? Jones is a member of the Howard University Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alphas.

‍

Zainabu Nakate

Zainabu Nakate stands at the intersection of strategy and innovation. As Senior Technical Program Manager at IBM, she leads large-scale initiatives that bring solutions from concept to reality.

‍

Her work involves coordinating cross-functional teams, aligning technical priorities, and ensuring that innovation gets delivered. In fast-moving fields like AI and enterprise tech, leaders like Nakate are essential in turning ideas into real-world impact.

‍