Empowering Others Through Shared Experience
Thumbtack hosted WomenHack and featured their Software Engineer Bianca as keynote speaker, delivering a message that resonated with women throughout their tech careers: you don’t need to be a veteran expert to contribute and inspire others.
As detailed on Thumbtack’s blog, Bianca—who is also an instructor at Frontend Masters and founder of andcoffee.io—delivered a keynote about the power of helping others even when you don’t feel like an expert.
Challenging Imposter Syndrome
Bianca’s keynote directly addressed imposter syndrome—the persistent feeling of not belonging or not being qualified that affects many people in tech, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Her message: you don’t need to be the world’s foremost expert to contribute and help others.
This message is particularly powerful at a WomenHack event. Many attendees may be at various stages of their careers, some wondering if they’re “good enough” to apply for certain roles or pursue certain opportunities. Hearing from an engineer who acknowledges not feeling like an expert—while clearly being successful—validates those feelings while encouraging action despite them.
The Power of “I’m No Expert, But…”
The title of Bianca’s talk captures something important. Saying “I’m no expert, but…” is often used to disclaim knowledge, but Bianca reframed it as a position of strength. You don’t need to wait until you’re an acknowledged authority to share knowledge, mentor others, or take on new challenges.
This reframing is particularly relevant in tech, where the pace of change means no one is ever fully expert in everything. The most successful technologists are often those who learn publicly, share what they know, and collaborate rather than pretending to have all the answers.
Bianca’s Platform
Bianca’s credentials add weight to her message. As an instructor at Frontend Masters—a respected platform for technical education—she regularly teaches others despite any feelings of not being “expert enough.” Her founding of andcoffee.io demonstrates entrepreneurial initiative. And her role as a Software Engineer at Thumbtack shows she’s doing the day-to-day work, not just speaking about it.
This combination of roles makes her a compelling speaker. She’s not a distant authority figure but someone balancing multiple pursuits while continuing to learn and grow—relatable to many in the audience.
Engineers as Ambassadors
When companies like Thumbtack put their engineers on stage at events like WomenHack, they humanize tech careers and inspire the next generation of women in the field. Keynote speakers at recruiting events are often executives or professional speakers. Having a working engineer deliver the keynote creates different dynamics:
- Authenticity: An engineer can speak credibly about daily work
- Accessibility: The speaker seems more like a peer than a distant figure
- Role modeling: Attendees can envision themselves in similar roles
- Culture signal: It shows the company values engineering voices
Thumbtack’s Platform Business
Thumbtack connects customers with local professionals—from home repairs to personal trainers to event planners. This marketplace model serves diverse customers with diverse needs, making the company’s products better suited to development by diverse teams.
The company’s investment in hosting WomenHack and featuring an engineer keynote reflects understanding of this connection. By building more diverse engineering teams, Thumbtack improves their ability to serve their varied user base.
Creating Ripple Effects
Keynote speeches at events like WomenHack create ripple effects beyond the immediate audience. Bianca’s message about not needing to be an expert was shared through Thumbtack’s blog post, extending its reach. Attendees may have shared the message with their networks. And the example of an engineer stepping up to deliver a keynote may inspire others to seek similar opportunities.
These ripple effects amplify the impact of a single event. The investment Thumbtack made in hosting WomenHack and supporting Bianca’s keynote produces returns that extend well beyond the attendees in the room that day.
Thank you, Thumbtack and Bianca, for this empowering message. Challenging imposter syndrome and encouraging contribution despite uncertainty helps everyone in tech—and especially those who face additional barriers.