Audible Returns to Grace Hopper Celebration 2019

In early October, sixty-five of Audible’s women in technology, data science, recruiting, events and production teams headed to Orlando, Florida for the 2019 Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) for keynote speeches, workshops, and social events. The next four inspiring, but busy days illuminated what happens when 20,000-plus women in technology come together to discuss their contributions to society and future visions.

"To see what happens when such diverse technical women from 90 countries come together to discuss their contributions to society was an incredible, eye-opening, and humbling experience," said Harshada Wadekar, one of Audible's talented Software Development Engineers. "I will always know that there’s support for me as a woman in tech and I now realize the responsibility I have to help other fabulously promising up-and-coming women in tech."

While Audible technologists like Harshada Wadekar were being motivated by speakers and workshops, Audible made waves as a big conference presence. We sponsored a reception for BRAID (Building, Recruiting, And Inclusion for Diversity), an initiative committed to increase the participation of students from underrepresented groups in their undergraduate computer science programs.

At the reception, Cynthia Chu, Audible's Chief Fianancial Officer, spoke to the 200-plus students and faculty about the importance of taking risks and how overcoming challenges propelled her career forward. She continued sharing tips that underlined the significance of charting one’s own career path and how finding a workplace that not only supports you, but also gives you the opportunity to support others leads to a meaningful career.

"I felt such positive energy from women from all backgrounds and levels all wanting to excel and learn in the technology field," said Cynthia. "It made me think that AnitaB.org’s goal - that 50% of technologists will be women by 2025 - is completely within grasp and achievable! I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time learning not only what other companies are doing but also to spend quality time with our colleagues from Audible!"

The Audible team mingled with promising talent at the career expo, student lounge and Audible-hosted networking event where Audible leaders Anne Erni and Jenn Lee spoke to the 300 attendees about Audible’s employee culture, our commitment to cultivating talent and bringing positive change to our community in Newark, NJ, and how we continue to engineer a new frontier of entertainment.

GHC was full of fun social events for attendees, too, like an energetic scavenger hunt that led teams to take selfies with pilots at the airport, meeting Audible listeners on a 400-foot observation wheel at Orlando’s Icon Park, and much more. Not only did our leaders and recruiters connect with attendees, Audible employees from our Newark and Cambridge offices had the opportunity to better get to know each other throughout the conference.

Read more about our employees’ experience at GHC in Grace Hopper Celebration 2019: Reflections and What Comes Next.