Aflevering Building An Ai Company On Gratitude, Agency, And Merit With Melissa Solis | Ep. 139

Most AI companies are built to scale fast. Melissa Solis built hers to last. In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I talk with Melissa Solis, founder and CEO of Inbenta, about AI leadership, customer-centric AI, inclusive leadership, and what it really takes to build an AI company that creates long-term value. Melissa has spent three decades leading AI companies through rapid industry change while prioritizing trust, inclusion, and sustainable growth. She brings a grounded perspective shaped by lived experience in environments that don’t always change on their own. This episode is for founders and leaders building in AI who care about customer trust, inclusive leadership, and sustainable growth. In this episode, we explore: • How to build an AI company that prioritizes customer trust over quick wins • How AI is shifting access and opportunity beyond traditional credentials • What inclusive AI leadership looks like in practice • Why gratitude matters as a leadership choice • Why DEI policies don’t work without respect • What “building your own table” means in practice Chapters: 02:25 Journey to CEO: Melissa Solis’ Path 05:18 Inbenta: Transforming Data into AI Solutions 08:03 The Importance of Customer Partnership in AI 11:05 Challenges in Data Management and Deployment 13:43 AI’s Role in Accessibility and Education 16:39 Earning Recognition vs. Receiving It: A Discussion on DEI 25:26 Creating a Fair Workplace: The Future of Leadership 27:48 Building Your Own Table 30:53 The Importance of Open Conversations 32:32 Merit Over Background 35:17 The Power of Gratitude in Leadership 42:16 Surrounding Yourself with Support 46:52 Leaving a Legacy and Empowering Others More information and links to connect: Blog and show notes: https://womendisruptingtech.blog/2026/02/12/episode-139/ Connect with Melissa Solis on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/melissa-solis-3532302a Learn more about Inbenta: https://www.inbenta.com/ ?? Listen to more Women Disrupting Tech episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. ?? Follow for more conversations with leaders building the future of AI and tech.