The People Your System Fails First | Jackie Chambers de Freitas | TEDxBuckheadAve

Thirty years ago, Jackie Chambers de Freitas entered her first server room and was the only Black woman there. Drawing on her career in technology leadership, she argues that the people a system fails first are not exceptions to dismiss, but may offer the most accurate picture of what is not working. The talk examines how the view from the edge can help build better systems for everyone. Jackie Chambers de Freitas is VP of AI Delivery & Transformation at Salesforce. This TEDxBuckheadAve talk was independently organized under the TED conference format. The speaker has more than 30 years of experience in technology and focuses on leadership, inclusion, and opportunity for underrepresented talent.

• Why the people a system fails first can reveal what is not working
• Career experience in technology leadership and AI delivery
• How the view from the edge can inform better systems for everyone
• Inclusion and access for underrepresented talent in tech

Thirty years ago, Jackie Chambers de Freitas walked into her first server room and counted. She was the only Black woman there. That experience gave her a perspective she would spend decades learning to understand. Drawing on her career in technology leadership, Jackie challenges a common assumption: the people a system fails first aren't exceptions to dismiss. They may be the most accurate source of information about what isn't working. She reveals why the view from the edge can help us build better systems for everyone. Jackie Chambers de Freitas is VP of AI Delivery & Transformation at Salesforce, where she leads initiatives that turn artificial intelligence into measurable business value. With more than 30 years of experience, she has helped global organizations accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and drive business results. She spoke at RenderATL 2026 on moving AI beyond prototypes into real-world impact. A British woman with Jamaican roots and an HBCU alumna, Jackie is passionate about expanding access and opportunity for underrepresented talent. She champions women in technology, mentors emerging leaders, and advocates for purposeful leadership and well-being. She serves on the board of New Voices for Reproductive Justice and was inducted as an Honorary Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 2024. Her leadership philosophy centers on clarity, inclusion, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx