Tara Bunch: Breaking Barriers as a Gay Woman
As a young girl growing up in central California, Tara Bunch was surrounded by the wonders of technology. Her father, a mechanical engineer, and mother, involved in IT for a school system, instilled in her a passion for innovation and problem-solving. This early exposure laid the groundwork for her future career in technology, one that would be marked by breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings.
Navigating Challenges in the Tech Industry
Tara’s journey in tech began with a role at Hewlett-Packard, but it was her move to Colorado in the early 1990s that would test her resolve. The state’s conservative groups had successfully lobbied for the revocation of an anti-discrimination law, stripping away vital protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Tara, who had just begun to embrace her sexuality, was forced to conceal her true self. “I went from being out in the Bay to being pretty closed off in Colorado,” she recalls. “I kind of went out and back in, then had to find my way back out again.”
Finding Her True Self at Airbnb
Tara’s decision to join Airbnb in 2020, just weeks after the pandemic halted travel, seemed counterintuitive. But after meeting CEO Brian Chesky, she knew she had found her tribe. “The more I spoke to Brian, the more I met the team, the more I felt like this is where I belonged,” she says. As Airbnb’s global head of operations, Tara oversees customer service, trust and safety, and payments for hosts and guests in over 220 countries.
The Power of Diversity and Inclusion
Tara believes that innovation and progress are born from diversity of thought. “The best talent in the world is not going to come to a place where they don’t feel they can show up as their whole self,” she emphasizes. Airbnb’s commitment to community is evident in its employee resource groups (ERGs), which Tara sponsors. “We spend a lot of time with the leaders of those teams to understand what the employees need,” she says.
Airbnb’s Commitment to Community
Airbnb’s community commitment policy ensures that every host and guest pledges not to discriminate. While this move resulted in the removal of 2.5 million users who refused to sign the pledge, Tara believes it was a necessary step towards creating a welcoming platform for all.
Values-Driven Leadership
For Tara, values are the main driver in her work. “Working in a company where our values align is really important,” she says. “One of the things I love about Airbnb is that they’re a values-driven company, and they live their values.” As a role model for employees and a champion for LGBTQ+ talent and leadership, Tara is dedicated to giving back and ensuring that her journey paves the way for others.
You can read the full interview with Tara Bunch on PinkNews.