Dr. Deana Anglin: Caribbean Trailblazer in Tech & Silicon Valley’s 100 Most Influential Women in Business

Dr. Deana Anglin’s Jamaican heritage is more than just a part of her identity—it’s the foundation of her work ethic, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive. Named to Silicon Valley’s 100 Most Influential Women in Business, and a standout in both business and technology, she attributes this success to her Caribbean upbringing and parents that nurtured her early-found passions in business and technology. Raised in Jamaica, where resource constraints are common, Deana’s childhood taught her the power of innovation and technology in overcoming challenges. Her passion for solving real-world problems through technology started early. As a pre-teen, she won a national essay competition on how technology could shape the Caribbean, an experience that set the stage for her future ambitions.

While a student at Glenmuir High in Clarendon, Deana received nine ones in the Caribbean Examinations earning the top student title in her country in these subjects, and landing a scholarship to the U.S. at just 16. Her academic achievements culminated in a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech, one of the U.S.’s top institutions for computer science.

Her upbringing in Jamaica gave her a vision: to use technology as a tool for improving lives. This vision has guided her journey across continents, where she’s worked, studied, and led initiatives to use tech in solving global challenges.

Global Impact: Building Products That Matter

At Google, Dr. Anglin worked on global products that reached millions of people, including key services like food ordering and reservation platforms. Her role as a product leader and researcher took her across the globe, from North and South America to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Deana’s work ensured that Google’s products met the diverse needs of users worldwide, and her efforts helped small businesses pivot to online services during the pandemic, preventing many from going under during challenging times. Deana spent ten years at Google culminating in leading her own startup within its elite internal incubator for employees.

From Google to Talawa.ai: A Vision Realized

In 2023, Dr. Anglin founded Talawa.ai, a tech startup focused on democratizing AI. Her experiences at Google, where she saw a gap in accessible AI tools for small and medium-sized businesses, played a pivotal role in the creation of the company. Talawa.ai’s mission is clear: to provide affordable, cutting-edge technology that levels the playing field for all businesses, including emerging brands, to scale and thrive.

The name “Talawa” is inspired by the Jamaican phrase “likkle but tallawah” (“small but powerful”), encapsulating the company’s philosophy of empowering small businesses to compete in a global marketplace. Talawa.ai’s user-friendly AI tools aim to level the playing field, making powerful data-driven solutions accessible to entrepreneurs everywhere.

Empowering the Diaspora: A Personal Commitment

For Dr. Anglin, empowering the diaspora community is integral to her mission. “The diaspora community is a powerful force,” she says, and providing them with the resources to succeed is key to her vision. Through Talawa.ai, she aims to support diaspora entrepreneurs, helping them create brands that reflect their unique backgrounds and contribute to both local and global economies.

Breaking Barriers as a Black Woman Entrepreneur

As a Black woman in tech, Dr. Anglin has faced the challenges of biases and stereotypes head-on. To navigate these obstacles, she built strong relationships with mentors and allies ensuring she’s surrounded by a network of support. She’s now doing that for others, starting communities like the Black UX Network and taking up the call to academia, working part time as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University to ensure diversity and representation is nurtured in the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Deana remains committed to her mission of helping entrepreneurs and innovators of all backgrounds thrive.

What Sets Talawa.ai Apart

Talawa.ai stands out for its user-centric approach to AI. Unlike many tech solutions, Talawa focuses on creating intuitive, easy-to-use tools that provide real value to users. The company’s team goes above and beyond to offer personalized support, helping clients make the most of the technology and achieve their business goals.

Beyond Business: Giving Back to the Caribbean Community

Dr. Anglin’s commitment to the Caribbean goes beyond her professional ventures. She co-founded the Azarae Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the advancement of Caribbean youth through education and crisis response. From distributing school supplies to the over 400 children displaced following the volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to providing tablets and food supplies to every student in a rural school in Jamaica for online learning during the pandemic, Deana’s foundation has made a tangible impact across the Caribbean.

Building an Inclusive Future with AI

At Talawa.ai, Dr. Anglin is leading the charge to make AI more accessible and inclusive. She believes technology can drive economic empowerment, especially for those who have been historically underserved. “I believe that together we can build a more diverse and inclusive marketplace for current and future businesses,” she says, encouraging others to embrace the transformative power of AI.

Dr. Deana Anglin’s work is a testament to the potential of technology to create positive change. Through Talawa.ai, her work at Google, and her philanthropic efforts with the Azarae Foundation, she continues to break barriers, build powerful brands, and empower businesses globally.