The Women’s Venture Fund’s annual Highest Leaf Award (HLA) celebrates accomplished, vibrant women executives who are role models within their own professions. Candidates are judged based on their willingness to take risks and creatively leverage resources to achieve their endeavor as well as on their entrepreneurial spirit, their continued commitment to mentoring others, and their impact and value to their organization. Other HLA Chicago awardees include, Jennifer Fortner, vice president of the investment management division for Goldman Sachs; Hilda Gurdian, publisher of La Noticia; and Phyllis Tabachnick, managing director at Bear Stearns.

“Dr. Whitney encompasses all the things we look for in an awardee: creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to mentoring others,” said Maria Otero, founder and president of Women's Venture Fund. “She motivates women in her own community and across the world to be passionate about technology and grow in their technical careers.”

Dr. Telle Whitney has served as president and CEO of the Anita Borg Institute since 2003, focusing on the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the technical field. Her organization runs the largest gathering of women in computing—the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing—which now reaches more than 1,400 women across 24 countries and provides an excellent opportunity for mentoring, motivation, networking, and career development. She has 20 years of experience in the telecommunications and semiconductor industries and has held senior technical management positions with Malleable Technologies (now PMC-Sierra) and Actel Corporation.

“I am a great admirer of the Women’s Venture Fund’s work to help women from diverse backgrounds establish and grow their own businesses,” said Dr. Whitney. “It is an honor to be recognized by an organization that strives for the same goal that ABI works toward every day: the encouragement and advancement of women in the technology industry.”

Goldman Sachs will host the Chicago awards ceremony at Goldman Sachs, 71 South Wacker Drive, 5th Floor Chicago on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. The breakfast program begins at 7:30 a.m.

About the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology (ABI)
The Anita Borg Institute provides resources and programs to help industry, academia, and government recruit, retain, and develop women leaders in high-tech fields, resulting in higher levels of technological innovation. ABI programs serve high-tech women by creating a community and providing tools to help them develop their careers. ABI is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 charitable organization. ABI Partners include: Google, Microsoft Corporation, HP, Sun, Cisco, Intel, SAP, Juniper Networks, NSF, NCWIT, IBM, Symantec, Computer Associates, NetApp, and Capgemini. For more information, visit www.anitaborg.org.

About the Women’s Venture Fund
Founded in 1994, The Women's Venture Fund (WVF) is a nonprofit organization that offers courses, business consultations and micro loans to help women establish thriving businesses in urban communities. By troubleshooting specific challenges and encouraging women to share their experiences with other entrepreneurs, WVF is able to expedite the growth of businesses participating in our programs. To date, Women’s Venture Fund has impacted the lives of more than 13,000 women. To learn more about Women’s Venture Fund, visit: www.womensventurefund.org.

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Media Contacts
Anita Borg Institute
Jerri Barrett 
650-857-6095  
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Women’s Venture Fund
Jeanette Reed
212-563-0499
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