Beyond the List: Reflections from the 100 Women in AI Celebration
How a night of sisterhood, vulnerability, and shared vision showed us the future of AI leadership
When we launched the 100 Women in AI list a few weeks ago, I knew we had something special. But Tuesday night's celebration during NY Tech Week reminded me why community—real, in-person connection—remains the most powerful force for change in our industry.
It Started With Frustration, It Ended With Hope
Back in February, I was tired of AI coverage lacking women and people of color, again and again. I knew that women were definitely co-creators of this AI revolution, and we had evidence through XFactor Ventures (a Flybridge fund co-founded by my colleague Chip Hazard) of what happens when women lead—both as investors (XFactor's partners are all female founders and top operators) and founders (XFactor Ventures invests in companies with at least one female founder). The same would be true, perhaps even more so, in our AI-powered future.
Out went a call for nominations from across the venture and tech ecosystem. Nearly 1,000 nominations and many hours of scoring and contemplation later, we launched the 100 Women in AI list. The response was incredible, but I knew we needed to do more than celebrate online.
When Vision Meets Reality
Tuesday night exceeded every expectation. Here's what made it extraordinary:
Nearly a quarter of our honorees showed up live and in person. The energy of having these trailblazers in one room was electric—women who are building the future across every imaginable sector of AI.
An insightful and deeply authentic fireside chat with Dr. Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code. Her insights on leadership, representation, and the responsibility that comes with visibility resonated with everyone present.
A room full of the most dynamic women in AI from every space imaginable—from healthcare, biotech, and robotics to academia and research to the founders of Machine Cinema, a collective of AI creators focused on content and creative applications, and everything in between.
Truthful, vulnerable conversations about what it takes to thrive in this space and how SEEN each honoree felt in simply being recognized. The power of acknowledgment cannot be overstated.
Genuine support from male allies who came with intention to support the honorees and amplify the voices of all women present.
The Moments That Matter
Two quotes from the evening captured the essence of what we're building:
Aubrie Pagano, XFactor Partner and GP at Alpaca: "Your lived experience is your competitive advantage." This speaks directly to what makes women and diverse builders not just valuable but necessary as we enter this new AI age. Our different perspectives, challenges, and solutions aren't obstacles to overcome—they're superpowers to leverage.
Dr. Tarika Barrett of Girls Who Code: "By existing, you're already changing the world." This reminded us of the magnitude of representation. Every woman in that room, by taking up space and being brilliant, is inspiring other women and girls to believe they belong here too.
What We Learned
The evening reinforced several critical insights:
Representation accelerates innovation. When women lead in AI, we don't just get better products—we get products that serve broader populations and solve more complex problems.
Community is a competitive advantage. The connections formed that night weren't just networking—they were the foundation for collaborations, mentorships, and support systems that will shape the industry.
Vulnerability builds strength. The most powerful moments came when honorees shared their challenges, their doubts, and their breakthroughs. This authenticity created bonds that pure achievement never could.
Allies matter. The male supporters in the room didn't just attend—they actively participated in building a more inclusive future for AI.
The Path Forward
This celebration was never meant to be a one-time event. We're making this list and recognition an annual tradition. Next year's nominations will open soon, and we're already exploring impactful ways to move with this momentum and shape the future.
The 100 Women in AI aren't just names on a list—they're architects of our technological future. As we continue to build in this space, their leadership, innovation, and vision will be essential to ensuring AI serves everyone.
Gratitude and Recognition
None of this would have been possible without our incredible partners. Massive thanks to Riviera Partners, Flybridge, and XFactor Ventures for believing in this vision and making what felt impossible feel inevitable.
To every woman on the list and everyone who attended Tuesday night: you're not just building companies or creating technologies—you're building the future. And the world is watching, learning, and following your lead.
The sisterhood formed that evening wasn't just beautiful—it was necessary. Because the future of AI won't be built by any one person or perspective. It will be built by all of us, together.
The 100 Women in AI list and celebration represent just the beginning of our commitment to elevating diverse voices in artificial intelligence. Stay tuned for next year's nominations and continued initiatives to support women leaders shaping our AI-powered future.
