Building Tech for Everyone: Inclusive Leadership for Business Analysts
Technology should work for all people - but that only happens when every voice is represented and considered throughout the Software Development Lifecycle, especially during discovery and requirements gathering. As the bridge between stakeholders, technical teams, and end users, Business Analysts have a powerful role in shaping equitable, inclusive solutions.
This talk will share practical strategies for designing inclusive discovery sessions, spotting and mitigating bias in data and systems, and ensuring that solutions reflect the needs of all stakeholders, not just the most vocal. We will also discuss some of the approaches LunarLab uses in our own discovery and workshop processes, and how these methods have contributed to successful outcomes. We will explore how overlooked accessibility needs can lead to costly rework, how to create psychologically safe spaces for idea-sharing, and how to make “Who does this exclude?” a standard part of your analysis toolkit.
We will also highlight how Birmingham Women in Technology (BWIT) is building a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem. You’ll learn how to engage with BWIT to expand your network, grow your leadership skills, and participate in signature events like our Empower and Elevate conference coming in 2026.
Key Takeaways:
Technology should work for all people - but that only happens when every voice is represented and considered throughout the Software Development Lifecycle, especially during discovery and requirements gathering. As the bridge between stakeholders, technical teams, and end users, Business Analysts have a powerful role in shaping equitable, inclusive solutions.
This talk will share practical strategies for designing inclusive discovery sessions, spotting and mitigating bias in data and systems, and ensuring that solutions reflect the needs of all stakeholders, not just the most vocal. We will also discuss some of the approaches LunarLab uses in our own discovery and workshop processes, and how these methods have contributed to successful outcomes. We will explore how overlooked accessibility needs can lead to costly rework, how to create psychologically safe spaces for idea-sharing, and how to make “Who does this exclude?” a standard part of your analysis toolkit.
We will also highlight how Birmingham Women in Technology (BWIT) is building a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem. You’ll learn how to engage with BWIT to expand your network, grow your leadership skills, and participate in signature events like our Empower and Elevate conference coming in 2026.
Key Takeaways:
- How to structure discovery sessions to include a diverse set of voices
- Tools and facilitation techniques for gathering diverse input effectively
- Methods for identifying and mitigating bias in processes, workflows, and data sets
- Why inclusive requirements are essential for business success and risk reduction
- Opportunities to get involved with BWIT to build a stronger, more inclusive tech community
Meet Elizabeth Anderson:
Elizabeth Anderson is CEO and co-founder of LunarLab, a product strategy and UX design studio based in Birmingham, Alabama. With a background in executive leadership, product strategy, project management, release management, she helps companies create scalable, inclusive, and ethical digital products that deliver real business value.
Over the past decade, Elizabeth has led the development and launch of software products across fintech, logistics, education, eCommerce, nonprofit, and other industries - ranging from SaaS and AI to mobile, IoT, and enterprise systems. Known for her calm clarity and systems thinking, she excels at solving complex problems, aligning cross-functional teams, and guiding products from idea to execution with precision and purpose.
In addition to her role at LunarLab, Elizabeth serves on the boards of Birmingham Women in Technology and Tech Equals, and is actively involved in civic and mutual aid work. She’s also a mom of two young daughters and previously ran for U.S. Congress in Alabama’s 6th District, bringing her deep experience in strategy, systems thinking, and human-centered leadership to the fight for a more just and equitable future.
Over the past decade, Elizabeth has led the development and launch of software products across fintech, logistics, education, eCommerce, nonprofit, and other industries - ranging from SaaS and AI to mobile, IoT, and enterprise systems. Known for her calm clarity and systems thinking, she excels at solving complex problems, aligning cross-functional teams, and guiding products from idea to execution with precision and purpose.
In addition to her role at LunarLab, Elizabeth serves on the boards of Birmingham Women in Technology and Tech Equals, and is actively involved in civic and mutual aid work. She’s also a mom of two young daughters and previously ran for U.S. Congress in Alabama’s 6th District, bringing her deep experience in strategy, systems thinking, and human-centered leadership to the fight for a more just and equitable future.