Shockwave Developer & GIF Animation Pioneer
1971 – Present
🇺🇸 United StatesLisa Gelobter was born in 1971 and grew up during the early days of personal computing, when computers were transitioning from room-sized machines used by governments and corporations to desktop devices that ordinary people could own and use. From an early age, Gelobter displayed exceptional aptitude for mathematics and logical thinking—skills that would prove essential for computer science.
She pursued her passion for technology at Brown University, one of the Ivy League institutions at the forefront of computer science research and education. At Brown, Gelobter immersed herself in computer science, learning programming languages, software development, and the emerging technologies that would shape the internet. She graduated with a degree in computer science, positioning herself to be part of the internet revolution that would transform global society.
In the 1990s, as the World Wide Web was emerging from academic and military networks into public consciousness, Lisa Gelobter became part of the team that developed Shockwave—a technology that fundamentally changed what was possible on websites. Before Shockwave and similar technologies, websites were primarily static pages of text and simple images. Shockwave enabled interactive multimedia content including animation, video, and games.
Shockwave allowed developers to create rich, interactive experiences that could be embedded directly into web browsers. This technology enabled online games, interactive demonstrations, animated educational content, and multimedia presentations—transforming the web from a digital library into an interactive medium. Millions of websites adopted Shockwave, and countless users experienced their first interactive web content through Shockwave-powered sites.
Gelobter also contributed to the development of animated GIF technology. GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format with animation) became one of the internet's most popular forms of expression—short, looping animations that communicate emotions, reactions, and ideas more effectively than static images. Today, billions of GIFs are shared daily across social media, messaging apps, and websites, making the technology one of the most ubiquitous forms of digital communication.
Beyond her technical contributions to internet technologies, Gelobter built a distinguished career in technology leadership. She held senior positions at numerous technology companies, bringing her expertise in software development, digital media, and user experience to organizations building the next generation of internet services.
Gelobter served as Chief Digital Officer at BET Networks, where she led digital strategy for the prominent African American-focused entertainment company. In this role, she oversaw digital platforms, mobile applications, and online content delivery, ensuring that BET could reach audiences across all digital channels. Her leadership helped BET adapt to the streaming era and maintain relevance with younger, digitally-native audiences.
She also founded her own companies, demonstrating entrepreneurial vision alongside her technical expertise. Her ventures focused on using technology to solve real-world problems and create better user experiences. As a Black woman technology entrepreneur, Gelobter has been part of a small but growing group breaking barriers in an industry where women and minorities remain significantly underrepresented, particularly in leadership positions.
Throughout her career, Lisa Gelobter has been an outspoken advocate for diversity in technology. She has spoken at conferences, mentored young technologists, and worked to create opportunities for underrepresented groups in the tech industry. Her advocacy recognizes that the lack of diversity in tech companies is both a social justice issue and a business problem—companies that exclude talented individuals based on gender or race limit their own innovation and creativity.
Gelobter has used her platform to highlight the contributions of women and minority technologists whose work has often been overlooked or minimized. She has challenged the tech industry to examine its hiring practices, workplace cultures, and promotion systems to understand why women and minorities remain underrepresented despite comprising the majority of computer users.
Lisa Gelobter's contributions to internet technology helped make the web interactive, engaging, and fun. Shockwave technology enabled countless websites to offer rich multimedia experiences, from educational content to entertainment to business applications. Her work on animated GIFs contributed to a form of communication now used by billions of people daily—GIFs have become a universal language of internet expression, conveying emotions and reactions across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
As a technology leader and entrepreneur, Gelobter has demonstrated that women and minorities can excel at the highest levels of the tech industry. Her career spanning software development, digital media, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship showcases the diverse paths available in technology careers and the importance of inclusive leadership in driving innovation.
Her advocacy for diversity continues influencing the tech industry's slow progress toward becoming more inclusive. While Silicon Valley and the broader tech industry still struggle with diversity, voices like Gelobter's help ensure that the conversation continues and that pressure for change persists. Her career stands as proof that diverse perspectives strengthen technology development and that excluding talented individuals based on gender or race weakens the entire industry.
Lisa Gelobter's innovations made the internet interactive and fun, enabling technologies used by billions daily.
Lisa Gelobter's contributions to internet technology helped transform the web from static pages into an interactive, multimedia-rich medium. Shockwave technology enabled millions of websites to offer engaging content including games, videos, and interactive demonstrations. Her work on animated GIFs contributed to a communication format now so ubiquitous that billions are shared daily across social media, messaging apps, and websites worldwide.
Beyond her technical innovations, Gelobter's career in technology leadership—from senior corporate roles to entrepreneurship—demonstrates that women and minorities can excel at all levels of the tech industry. As Chief Digital Officer at BET Networks, she led digital transformation for a major entertainment company. As an entrepreneur, she built companies using technology to solve real-world problems.
Her advocacy for diversity in technology continues influencing an industry that still struggles with inclusion. By using her platform to highlight the contributions of underrepresented technologists, mentor young people entering tech careers, and challenge companies to examine their practices, Gelobter contributes to slow but important progress toward a more inclusive technology industry.
Every animated GIF shared, every interactive website visited, every multimedia experience enjoyed online carries forward the legacy of pioneers like Lisa Gelobter who helped build the interactive internet we now take for granted. Her work reminds us that technology innovation comes from diverse minds bringing different perspectives to solve problems and create experiences that enhance human communication and creativity.