Hello, my name is Grace Huntley. I serve as the Director of Engineering at Code for America and am a board member at OpenHouseSF. In addition to my professional roles, I am an active public speaker and a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a strong focus on advancing leadership opportunities for transgender individuals and women.
I call South San Francisco home, where I live with my incredible teenage daughter. I’m also a proud plant mom and a nature enthusiast. When I’m not working, you can usually spot me hanging out with the LGBTQI+ community in San Francisco, and if you're really lucky, you might catch me roller-skating through Golden Gate Park. I’m always up for a good chat about tech, diversity, or saving the planet—and there’s a high chance I’ll slip in a pun or two along the way!
I bring a wealth of intersectional experience from big tech, small tech, non-profit tech, and my own lived experiences. Currently, I'm channeling all this to drive innovation in digitizing and simplifying access to Safetynet benefits. With a solid background in leadership, I enjoy talking about AI, platform engineering, and InfoSec, which are top of mind for me.
Change Management
My change management style is holistic, focusing on observation and amplifying bright spots. I prioritize identifying the right people, projects, and processes. Rather than prescribing solutions, I empower innovation and encourage creative problem-solving.
AI
I'm enthusiastic about AI's potential to revolutionize social safety net programs. It's not just about efficiency; it's about making these vital services more accessible and user-friendly. AI could streamline applications, offer personalized guidance, and automate eligibility checks, acting like a 24/7 assistant for every applicant.
However, implementation must be thoughtful. We should prioritize use cases with substantial benefits relative to costs, focusing on enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing human judgment. By leveraging AI responsibly, we can create a more efficient and equitable system, ensuring more people receive needed benefits promptly. It's an exciting time for civic tech, and I'm eager to see how AI can make a meaningful impact on people's lives.
Windy Path
My journey began as a homeless youth juggling odd jobs. At one point, I even became a plumber. When my daughter was diagnosed with severe epilepsy, I taught myself early Android development and created an app for tracking and learning about seizures. This marked my entrance into the tech world. I quickly moved up to a VP role at a global organization. Then, I decided to live my authentic self and transition. At this point, I went back to being an IC as a woman. Boy, was that an adventure!