Lucy Sanders

Lucy Sanders

Lucy Sanders is CEO and Co-founder of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT).

Lucy has an extensive industry background, having worked in R&D and executive (VP) positions at AT&T Bell Labs, Lucent Bell Labs, and Avaya Labs for over 20 years, where she specialized in systems-level software and solutions (multi-media communication, and customer relationship management). Lucy was awarded the Bell Labs Fellow Award, the highest technical accomplishment bestowed at the company, and she has six patents in the communications technology area.

Lucy currently serves as a Trustee for the Colorado School of Mines, the Center for American Entrepreneurship in Washington D.C. and the International Computer Science Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. She has served on the Information Technology Research and Development Ecosystem Commission for the National Academies and the Innovation Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In 2016, Lucy received the Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Technology Association for her ongoing commitment to further innovative technology. Lucy is also a recipient, along with NCWIT Co-founders Robert Schnabel and Telle Whitney, of the Computing Research Association's A. Nico Habermann Award. She has been recognized by the University of Colorado with both its Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Engineering and the university's George Norlin Distinguished Service Award. Lucy is also a recipient of the 2013 U.S. News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame Award.

Work Experience

  • Trustee, Colorado School of Mines, 2018-present
  • Co-founder and CEO, National Center for Women and Information Technology, 2004-present
  • Executive in Residence and Board Member, Alliance for Technology, Learning, and Society (ATLAS), 2001-present
  • Vice President of R&D and CTO, Avaya, Inc CRM Solutions, Avaya Labs, 1999-2001
  • Bell Labs Fellow and CTO, Lucent Customer Care Solutions, Bell Labs, 1996-1999
  • R&D Director, Lucent Bell Labs, 1995-1996
  • R&D Development Manager, AT&T Bell Labs, 1982-1995

Education

  • BS, Computer Science, Louisiana State University
  • MS, Computer Science, University of Colorado, Boulder

Awards, Honors, and Significant Achievements

  • 2016 - Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Technology Association
  • US News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame, 2013
  • A. Nico Habermann Award, Computing Research Association, 2012
  • George Norlin Distinguished Service Award, 2011
  • Boulder County Business Review Outstanding Women, 2010
  • Community Partner, Microsoft, 2009
  • Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction, 2008
  • WITI Hall of Fame, 2007
  • Soroptimist International of Los Angeles Women of Vision Award, 2006
  • Aspen Institute Executive Seminar Academic Scholarship, 2005
  • CU Boulder Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award for "Industry and Commerce", 2004
  • Silicon Valley Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award for business excellence and community outreach, 2000
  • Bell Labs Fellow Award, 1996