Obama’s out technology chief to be honoured by GLAAD
Barack Obama’s Chief Technology Officer is to be honoured for her work by rights group GLAAD.
Former Google executive Megan Smith is the the most senior lesbian in the current administration, having been appointed as Chief Technology Officer last year.
Ms Smith, who has two children with partner Kara Swisher, was Vice President of business development at Google for nine years, and worked on Google Maps and Google Earth.
In her current high-profile, she is in charge of overseeing the White House’s technological policies and web initiatives.
Rights group GLAAD will honour her with the Ric Weiland Award this week, at the GLAAD Gala San Francisco.
The award, named after computer software pioneer and philanthropist Ric Weiland, honours innovators who advance LGBT equality and acceptance through tech and new media.
GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis said: “Throughout her career Megan Smith has been at forefront of innovation and a staunch advocate for LGBT acceptance.
“Whether she was bringing LGBT stories to digital platforms at PlanetOut, developing a diversity initiative at Google, or advancing the future of our nation as the United State’s Chief Technology Officer, her advocacy and dedication make her one of the strongest leaders for equality and acceptance in the tech industry.”
President Obama has previously praised the tech leader for “putting her long record of leadership and exceptional skills to work on behalf of the American people”.
He added: “Megan has spent her career leading talented teams and taking cutting-edge technology and innovation initiatives from concept to design to deployment.”
