Rebecca Parsons
About Rebecca Parsons
Rebecca Parsons is the Chief Technology Officer Emerita at Thoughtworks, where she has worked since 1999. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Rice University and has made significant contributions to diversity in tech and software development.
Work at ThoughtWorks
Rebecca Parsons has been with ThoughtWorks since 1999, serving as a Technology Principal for 25 years. In June 2023, she transitioned to the role of Chief Technology Officer Emerita, allowing her to focus on her passions while continuing to contribute to the organization. Throughout her tenure, she has been involved in various initiatives, including the development of the ThoughtWorks Technology Radar and has been a speaker and contributor to ThoughtWorks podcasts.
Education and Expertise
Rebecca Parsons studied at Rice University, where she earned her PhD in Computer Science from 1987 to 1992. Her academic background laid the foundation for her expertise in software development, engineering excellence, and artificial intelligence. This strong educational background has informed her contributions to the tech industry and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion.
Background
Before joining ThoughtWorks, Rebecca Parsons worked as a Post Doctoral Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1992 to 1994. She also held a position at IBM as a program director and senior technical staff member. Her diverse experiences in both academic and corporate environments have shaped her approach to technology leadership.
Achievements
Rebecca Parsons has co-authored several influential books, including 'Domain-Specific Languages,' 'The Thoughtworks Anthology,' and 'Building Evolutionary Architectures,' which is now in its second edition. She received the Technical Leadership Abie Award in 2018 from AnitaB.org for her significant impact on business and society through technology leadership. Additionally, she has served on the boards of organizations such as CodeChix, AnitaB.org, and the Agile Alliance, and has been an advisor to Women Who Code.
Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion
Rebecca Parsons is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion within the tech industry, focusing on increasing the representation of women in coding and STEM fields. Her efforts in this area reflect her commitment to fostering a more inclusive environment in technology and empowering underrepresented groups.