Denyse Cardozo

Denyse is an entrepreneur and nonprofit leader who most recently served as President & CEO of Silicon Valley Forum, driving the vision, goals, and strategy. Silicon Valley Forum is a 38-year-old nonprofit that educates and supports the global innovation ecosystem, overseeing more than 70 events per year including customized immersion programs, workshops, international bootcamps, to large conferences, startup pitch events, and evening programs with strategic partners.

Under her direction, Silicon Valley Forum saw substantial growth in their community engagement, organizational influence from a regional Silicon Valley focus to a global presence, and became a leading source of knowledge and connections for entrepreneurs- both in the Bay Area and in international hubs around the world.

In 2015, Denyse launched Silicon Valley’s annual Women in Tech Festival; the Festival has since flourished and grown- drawing in top-tier speakers, groundbreaking startups, and over 2,500 participants from all over the world. Within the scope of the Festival and beyond, she strives to support, promote, and encourage women’s achievements in STEM and leadership roles, with special focus on underrepresented communities. Denyse is passionate about allyship and fostering community, and working at refining processes and programs that support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Prior to joining Silicon Valley Forum, Denyse founded her own company and served over 10 years in various roles directing and managing oversight of financial and accounting strategy and procedures.