Julia Ade

What’s one thing most people might not know about you?

I’m not actually a designer. I’m a musician and a painter in a designer’s body. I wrote, produced, and released two albums and did claves and backup vocals for a 15 piece afrobeat band in Oakland, CA.

Why is inclusion and belonging personally important to you?

I was raised Jewish and on every high holiday, we’d reflect on all of the things we were lucky to have and how some folks didn’t have those same things. Inclusion and belonging is about closing that gap-not just within a company but within, a city, state, country, and world. It’s about creating equity by recognizing privilege.

What is one diversity program or initiative at HubSpot that makes you proud to work here, and why?

When I joined this company, I saw Ta-Nehisi Coates was the spotlight speaker at our INBOUND event. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. Finally, a company was taking a stand by giving someone like Ta-Nehisi Coates a large stage. I cried all over my computer.

Describe a time someone or something made you feel included at work.

Shortly after I joined HubSpot, I got pregnant. I was taken aback by how supportive everyone was and especially inspired by the fathers I worked with. I then wrote a Medium post about my experience and support I received.