Rebekah Bastian
Rebekah Bastian is currently an author at Berrett-Koehler Publishers, advisor at Responsibly Ventures and Teal, and founder of a Seattle startup. She previously founded OwnTrail, which was acquired, and is recognized for her expertise as a tech leader, entrepreneur, artist, and writer.
Microsoft names Aneesh Raman chief economic opportunity officer and promotes Jenny Lay‑Flurrie; DAT CPO Brian Gill resigns
Microsoft promoted Jenny Lay‑Flurrie to corporate vice president of its Trusted Technology Group and named Aneesh Raman chief economic opportunity officer; Zillow appointed a new policy lead while departures occurred at Oracle, Hiya and DAT Freight & Analytics, including DAT’s CPO Brian Gill resigning.
Glowforge Launches Spark $699 3D Laser Engraver for Home Crafters with Presale at $599
Glowforge introduced the Spark, its lowest priced 3D laser engraver at $699, targeting home crafters with the same laser technology as its higher-end models. The company is offering a presale discount price of $599 and plans retail distribution through major stores.
Former SoundCommerce VP Diena Lee Mann Launches AI Startup Spectio; Microsoft Federal President Rick Wagner Departs
Diena Lee Mann, former SoundCommerce senior VP, launched Spectio, an AI tool to help business analysts work with BI platforms like Tableau and Power BI. Microsoft Federal president Rick Wagner stepped down, and Jessica Boulanger joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as SVP of communications.
Teal Acquires Seattle Life-Career Social Startup OwnTrail; Founder Rebekah Bastian to Join as Advisor
Seattle-based life-and-career social startup OwnTrail, launched in 2020 with 6,600 users, is being acquired by Miami-based job platform Teal, with founder Rebekah Bastian joining as an advisor. OwnTrail faced funding challenges despite raising $1.5 million and will make its features free following the acquisition.
Rebekah Bastian (OwnTrail CEO & Co-Founder) on opening to possibility, assessing risk, and blazing your own trail
OwnTrail is a platform that advances women by helping members share their *real* paths through career and life. With seed funding and an all-star team, OwnTrail is growing fast. CEO and co-founder, Rebekah Bastian, is a role model for staying open to possibility. She didn't have a masterplan and it wasn't a straight line. She joined Zillow as employee 20. Fifteen years at Zillow took her from Product Manager to VP of Product, and then VP of Community and Culture. Then author. And now founder. She goes behind the scenes on her story and OwnTrail's mission.
OwnTrail, founded by ex-Zillow exec Rebekah Bastian, raises $250K and operates from converted garage office
Seattle startup OwnTrail, founded by Rebekah Bastian, helps women map and share career and life paths and has grown to 1,000 registered users with 350+ profiles. The company raised $250,000, is crowdfunding an additional $20,000 (70% funded), and operates from a converted garage office with three full-time employees.
WTIA names 26 Washington startups for fourth Founder Cohort Program, a year-long accelerator for early-stage firms
WTIA selected 26 Washington-based tech startups for its fourth Founder Cohort Program, a year-long initiative that helps early-stage companies with fundraising, governance and customer development. Participating companies must be headquartered in Washington, have at least one product in development and under $1 million in annual revenue; examples include CardioCube, PetBiotix and VR Ulysses.
Rebekah Bastian
Zillow veteran, Rebekah Bastian, joins us to talk about all things company culture. Rebekah has been with Zillow for nearly 15 years, most recently serving as their VP of Community and Culture. She discusses what makes their culture so great, their equity and belonging efforts and how she balances her family life with her career. We also chat about her college pivot from music to engineering and her most recent venture as CEO and Co-Founder of OwnTrail, inspired by writing her book Blaze Your Own Trail. Rebekah is making waves in our community and her support and desire to empower…
Organizations
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Teal Advisor 2023–present · current
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Responsibly Ventures Advisor 2021–present · current
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Berrett-Koehler Publishers Author 2020–present · current
Education
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University of California, Berkeley MS, Mechanical Engineering · 2002–2003
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University of Washington BS, Mechanical Engineering · 2000–2002
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University of Washington College of Engineering Bachelor of Science - BS
