Whitney Wolfe Herd is not your average tech CEO. In fact, she’s not your average anything. At 35, the founder and CEO of Bumble has shaken up the world of online dating—and she’s done it all while sticking to her guns and keeping her cool. Wolfe Herd’s story is a rollercoaster of ambition, resilience, and a no-nonsense approach to business that’s made her one of the most talked-about women in tech today.
Whitney Wolfe Herd wasn’t born into the tech world. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and found her first taste of entrepreneurial success at Southern Methodist University, where she sold bamboo tote bags to raise money for BP oil spill victims. But selling bags was just the beginning. After university, Wolfe Herd landed in Los Angeles, where she helped co-found Tinder. The app changed the dating scene forever, but behind the scenes, things weren’t so rosy.
Her exit from Tinder in 2014 wasn’t exactly on friendly terms. After a tumultuous split and a well-publicised lawsuit over sexual harassment and discrimination (which she later settled), Wolfe Herd found herself at a crossroads. Most people might have stepped back, but not Whitney. She took the lessons she learned and poured them into something new—something better.
Wolfe Herd’s next move was Bumble, an app designed with a clear mission: to put women in the driver’s seat. Launched in 2014, Bumble flipped the script on dating apps by allowing women to make the first move. It was a simple idea, but revolutionary. In an industry dominated by male-centric platforms, Bumble was a breath of fresh air. The app wasn’t just about finding a date; it was about empowerment, and that struck a chord with millions.
Bumble’s user base skyrocketed, and it wasn’t long before the app expanded its horizons with Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz, allowing users to make friends and network professionally. This was no longer just a dating app—it was a platform for all kinds of relationships, driven by a mission of kindness and respect.
Fast forward to 2021, and Wolfe Herd took Bumble public, becoming the youngest female CEO in the United States to take a company public. When the stock started trading, it was clear that the market saw what Wolfe Herd had built: a company with purpose, profit, and a bright future. Bumble’s market debut wasn’t just a financial success—it was a cultural moment. Here was a woman who’d turned personal and professional setbacks into a billion-dollar business.
But for Wolfe Herd, it’s not just about the numbers. She’s made it her mission to create a company culture that values kindness, integrity, and inclusivity. Bumble was one of the first companies to ban body shaming and hate speech on its platform, and it has continued to innovate with safety features designed to protect its users.
Despite her high-profile career, Whitney Wolfe Herd is also a wife and mother. She’s been candid about the challenges of balancing her responsibilities at home with running a publicly traded company. But she makes it work, often sharing glimpses into her life on social media, where she talks about everything from board meetings to bedtime stories.
It’s this openness that makes Wolfe Herd so relatable. She’s a modern businesswoman who doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. She’s transparent about her journey—the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned along the way. And that’s something we can all learn from.
So, where does Whitney go from here? With Bumble continuing to grow, Wolfe Herd has her sights set on expanding the app’s reach globally and exploring new features that align with the brand’s values of connection and kindness. She’s also passionate about mentoring the next generation of women entrepreneurs, using her platform to advocate for more female representation in tech and beyond.
Whitney Wolfe Herd is a force to be reckoned with. She’s built a billion-dollar company from the ground up, changed the way we date online, and paved the way for more women to follow in her footsteps. Her journey is a testament to what can be achieved with a clear vision, a strong moral compass, and a relentless drive to make things better.
For these reasons and more, Whitney Wolfe Herd is our Businesswoman of the Week—a title she’s more than earned. Here’s to her continued success and to the countless women she inspires every day.
10 Things to Know About Whitney Wolfe Herd
- First Business: While still at university, Whitney’s first business was selling bamboo tote bags. The proceeds went to help victims of the BP oil spill, showing her early dedication to social causes.
- Tinder Beginnings: Whitney was a co-founder of Tinder and was instrumental in its early marketing efforts, which helped make the app a massive success.
- Leaving Tinder: In 2014, Whitney left Tinder after a high-profile lawsuit over sexual harassment. This experience inspired her to create a safer and more women-friendly dating app.
- Founding Bumble: That same year, she launched Bumble, where women make the first move. Bumble has since grown to include features for making friends (Bumble BFF) and networking (Bumble Bizz).
- Making History: In 2021, at 31, Whitney became the youngest female CEO to take a company public in the U.S. Bumble’s IPO was a big hit, valuing the company at over $8 billion.
- Advocate for Women: Whitney is a strong advocate for women’s rights. Bumble’s policies, like banning hate speech and body shaming, reflect her commitment to creating a respectful online space.
- Philanthropy: She’s also known for her charitable efforts, supporting causes that promote gender equality and fight online harassment.
- Balancing Act: Whitney is a wife and mother, balancing her demanding role as CEO with her family life. She’s open about the challenges and rewards of juggling both.
- Awards and Recognition: Whitney has been honoured on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list and TIME’s “100 Most Influential People.” She remains a leading figure in tech and entrepreneurship.
- Looking Ahead: Whitney is focused on growing Bumble globally while maintaining its values of kindness and empowerment. She’s committed to supporting women in the workplace and inspiring future female leaders.