Women in Tech

We’re shining a spotlight on the extraordinary women in the tech industry – industry pioneers who are carving their own path and disrupting norms to create positive social change. Each month, we’ll feature a new trailblazer making major strides to improve the lives of users across a variety of industries.

For our inaugural edition, we’d like to introduce you to one of Time Magazine’s 2022 Women of the Year: Tracy Chou.

As an entrepreneur, software engineer, and diversity advocate, Tracy currently serves as the founder and CEO of Block Party – an organization dedicated to tackling online abuse and harassment. Her impressive career includes pivotal roles at Pinterest and Quora, where she made significant contributions to various facets of technology.

But Tracy's impact extends beyond her technical expertise – she is renowned for her tireless efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech sector. From catalyzing transparency in diversity data to co-founding organizations like Project Include and #MovingForward, Tracy has been at the forefront of driving meaningful change.
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Recognized by prestigious publications and honored with numerous accolades, Tracy's influence reverberates throughout the industry. A staunch supporter of startups and an active participant in non-profit initiatives, Tracy's multifaceted contributions underscore her commitment to fostering innovation and equity.

We interviewed Tracy to learn more about journey, gain insights into her industry, as well as the transformative power of her work in the tech landscape – and here’s what she had to say:

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech?

I grew up in Silicon Valley with two parents who were software engineers, and I was drawn into electrical engineering and computer science at Stanford by the sheer pull of the place’s fascination with tech, engineering, and startups. That being said, it wasn’t actually a straightforward path to a career in tech!

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I frequently faced the headwinds of sexism and wondered if engineering was for me, or more accurately, if I was one for engineering. I stuck it out though and eventually fell in love with how wonderful it is to be able to create software products that transform the way people engage and interact with the world.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path in tech?

In 2013, on a random Sunday evening burst of frustration, I wrote a blog post decrying the tech industry’s lack of transparency about its diversity data. It went viral, and I became an accidental activist and one of the faces of the diversity in tech movement. Though I used to be mildly put out whenever people invited me to speak about being a woman in technology, versus speaking about technology, as a woman, I learned to appreciate the microphone and opportunity I was handed. I’ve been able to keep building my career as a technologist while also boosting causes I care about; it’s a privilege.

How do you approach continuous learning and personal growth?

A colleague once remarked to me, as we were reviewing resumes: "Some people have 10 years of experience, some people have the same year of experience 10 times." The comment stuck with me.

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I never, ever, perhaps to a fault, want to be the person who drifts through life and work and just has the same experience on repeat, not learning or growing.

I try to put myself in roles and opportunities where I'm forced to level up constantly in order to do the job, and where I can't learn through first-hand experience, I read. I read a lot—about a hundred books a year—and I specifically seek out fiction that widens my understanding of the human experience and non-fiction that teaches me appreciation of different disciplines, from the personal (relationships, health, housecleaning) to the professional (sales, business, management) and everything else no matter how relevant or irrelevant to my life (anthropology, architecture, art).

How do you approach continuous learning and personal growth?

A colleague once remarked to me, as we were reviewing resumes: "Some people have 10 years of experience, some people have the same year of experience 10 times." The comment stuck with me. I try to put myself in roles and opportunities where I'm forced to level up constantly in order to do the job, and where I can't learn through first-hand experience, I read. I read a lot—about a hundred books a year—and I specifically seek out fiction that widens my understanding of the human experience and non-fiction that teaches me appreciation of different disciplines, from the personal (relationships, health, housecleaning) to the professional (sales, business, management) and everything else no matter how relevant or irrelevant to my life (anthropology, architecture, art).

What’s one book or podcast that you believe every aspiring woman in tech should explore?

This is a somewhat cynical recommendation, but I think Corporate Confidential is a critical read for anyone in understanding the workplace. It was the first book I read as a working professional and it completely changed my view on corporate life and has colored all of my career strategy since. Even if a system feels broken, it behooves one to understand why it is the way it is, and how to navigate the “brokenness”.

How do you unwind and recharge during your free time?

I work out (I'm a Peloton fanatic—cycling, treadmill, strength, yoga, all of it!). I read (every morning and every night). I cook (most days, most dinners). I spend time with friends and family (as much as I can, when I'm not recharging my introvert battery and keeping busy with everything else).

Are there individuals in your life who have been especially instrumental in your success?

I am most grateful to the people who believed in me when I didn't even necessarily believe in myself: the computer science lecturer who invited me to TA his course when I didn't think I had a future in CS, the founders of Quora and Pinterest who recruited me to work at their companies when I didn't even realize those jobs were options available to me, and my pre-seed lead investor in Block Party who was ready to write a check before I'd even incorporated the company.

Do you have a professional or personal bucket list, and if so, what’s one thing you’re eager to accomplish?

I’m not much of a bucket list person, but if there were one thing I’d put on my professional bucket list, it’d be to build my company up to a successful exit via IPO or M&A… if only to prove all the haters wrong ;) Shameless plug: You can help me out by trying out our products! Block Party’s mission is to make it so everyone can partake in the digital prosperity of the Internet, and you can vote for this future with your technology choices. Check out our latest, a browser extension called Privacy Party, to run a quick check-up and tune-up for your privacy and social media safety.

If you’re curious to learn more about Tracy, visit her website or take a look at any one of her numerous projects she started. And be sure to stay tuned for our next edition amplifying and celebrating the women driving innovation and change in the tech industry.

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