2024 Agenda

Dive into the world of Responsible AI with a focus on women's empowerment. Join us for a dynamic discussion on navigating ethical challenges and seizing opportunities in AI development and deployment. Explore how women can shape AI technologies for the betterment of society while ensuring inclusivity and fairness. Get inspired to lead with integrity and purpose in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

The Why: In an increasingly AI-driven world, it's crucial for women to be at the forefront of Responsible AI initiatives. Gender biases and inequalities persist in AI systems, impacting everything from hiring practices to healthcare. Women's perspectives are essential for designing and implementing AI solutions that prioritize ethics, fairness, and inclusivity. By empowering women in Responsible AI, we can foster innovation that benefits everyone and mitigates harm.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategies for identifying and mitigating bias in AI algorithms.
• Insights into promoting diversity and inclusion in AI development teams.
• Practical approaches for incorporating ethical considerations into AI projects.

This session is for you if...

• You're passionate about leveraging AI for positive social impact.
• You're interested in understanding the ethical implications of AI technologies.
• You're committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.
• You want to learn practical strategies for navigating ethical challenges in AI development and deployment.

This presentation will explore why it’s increasingly critical for companies to recruit (and develop existing talent) for a broad spectrum of skills, from digital to durable and everything in between. Important differences in the training for digital skills and durable/soft skills will be explored, and attendees will walk away with a framework for how to implement skills-based hiring and leverage it as a means to achieve DEI goals.

The Why: It’s not enough to hire based on certifications and digital skills alone, but hiring for durable skills doesn’t just mean “going with your gut” on a candidate. This session will apply a framework for incorporating durable skills in to your talent recruitment and development strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Examine the differences between digital and durable skills
• Understand why both types of skills matter for recruitment and talent development
• Learn how to retrain an internal workforce for the skills the company needs for the future

This session is for... you if you are a technical or business team lead, including the following titles: CHRO, Chief People Officer, SVP Learning & Development, SVP Global Talent Management, Head of Business Transformation, SVP – Engineering Management, VP Engineering

AI has many potential applications in various domains such as entertainment, education, healthcare, and business. However, implementing generative AI also poses many challenges and requires careful planning and evaluation. In this session, we will share our experience and insights from implementing generative AI in our organization. We will cover topics such as:

• How to collect, clean, and label data for generative AI models
• How to ensure privacy and security of the data and the generated content
• How to upskill the tech team and train the end users on generative AI
• How to measure and improve the quality and diversity of the generated content
• How to leverage language models and multimodal models for generative AI

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about the benefits and challenges of generative AI
• Gain practical tips and best practices for implementing generative AI
• The culture shift necessary for successful adoption

This session is for… anyone who is interested in or involved in generative AI projects, such as managers, developers, researchers, educators, and content creators. No prior knowledge of generative AI is required, but some basic familiarity with AI concepts and tools is recommended.

In this workshop, you’ll discover expert strategies for seamless career transitions, from navigating intra-organizational shifts to advancing to executive-level roles. You’ll walk away with insider tips on leveraging personal connections, networking with executive leaders, and showcasing achievements to propel your career forward. Plus, you’ll learn the art of reputation management for maintaining a polished professional image. Elevate your networking skills with powerful relationship-building tactics to enhance your career trajectory.

The Why:
Attendees should attend this session to learn crucial strategies for advancing to executive roles. Gain essential insights into navigating career transitions, managing reputation, and building networks to propel your career to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

• Seamless internal transitions: Master strategies for navigating intra-organizational shifts and advancing your career within your company's hierarchy.
• Strategic networking for executive roles: Learn insider tips on leveraging personal connections and networking with executive recruiters to seize coveted executive-level positions.
• Reputation management mastery: Understand the importance of maintaining a polished professional image and learn tactics to enhance your reputation within your organization for career advancement.

This session is for... ambitious professionals aiming to move up in their organization, seasoned executives seeking new challenges, and career changers looking to pivot. It's also ideal for anyone who wants to enhance their networking skills and reputation management strategies for career advancement.

 

With the continuing rise of AI tools, LLMs, machine learning, and more, we’re witnessing a significant shift in the skills most needed for the modern workplace. To stay ahead, it’s essential to understand how you can differentiate and future-proof yourself and your team members by developing in-demand skills, like problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability, as well as knowing the ways you can amplify those skills within your team by implementing the right technologies and recognizing the ways your team members work best.

The Why: According to the World Economic Forum, 1.1 billion jobs are likely to be transformed by technology in the next decade. To remain competitive, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the skills that are most in demand and identify the best ways to leverage technology to empower and future-proof your teams. 

Key Takeaways:

• Review what skills currently are and will be most in demand over the coming years for individuals and teams to remain competitive

• Understand how advanced technologies can amplify skills for both individuals and teams 

• Discuss practical ways to promote inclusion, innovation, creativity, and agility within your teams by understanding their work styles and leveraging technology 

This session is for... 

• You if you’re wanting concrete ways to progress and future-proof your career.

• You if you’re looking for innovative ways to leverage technology at work.

• You if you want ideas of ways to use technology to amplify your team members’ skills in order to create more efficient, productive, and engaged teams

Smart adoption and implementation of new technologies hinge on your ability to communicate effectively with decision makers. You need to first understand their unique mindset, and then present bottom-line data and recommendations in their “language.” In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to do both.

The Why: Ineffective communication is making the smart adoption of AI and other new technologies challenging. Think of it as a “Mars and Venus” conversation, where, for example.

• The business hears about AI solutions in the media and wants it, without fully understanding its capabilities.
• Technical specialists struggle to explain what AI can do for the business and how best to implement it.
• Frustration grows, time and money is wasted, projects don’t meet deadlines, businesses fail to meet their goals, and budgets are exceeded.
• Improve communication between technologists and decision makers.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the executive mindset to create effective communications.
• Learn and practice an Executive Framework to develop the most clear and persuasive Opening, Key Points, and Closing Statement.
• Employ tools to help you analyze your audience, anticipate questions, and facilitate a dynamic dialogue.

This session is for... Mid- to senior-level technology experts who need to drive the smart adoption and implementation of AI and other new technologies by effectively communicating with decision makers.

Feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI innovations? Unsure where to begin or focus? Join this session to explore Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI advancements. Learn how to translate theory into practice and discover real-world applications where AI can create meaningful change.
 
The Why:

• Leverage the innovations to get a competitive edge
• Make strategic decisions about your AI transformations

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about the latest innovations in AI from Microsoft
• Things to think about for a successful implementation
• How to apply this to a real-world user case

 
This session is for... you if you want to be at the forefront of innovation and apply it to gain a competitive edge.

Is your cyber posture not just ready to defend your organization, but resilient enough to withstand an attack? Join this session for a comprehensive overview of considerations to help guide the next stage of your organization's cybersecurity maturity. By breaking down cybersecurity challenges into tactical, compliance & governance, & leadership considerations, you will come away with a better understanding of how you can impact your team's ability to get ahead of and combat.

The Why: As most cyber practitioners will tell you, a cyber attack or breach occurring within your organization is a matter of not if, but when. Get ahead of threat actors by thinking through cybersecurity considerations before you are under attack.

Key Takeaways:

• Identifying the “low-hanging fruit” that your organization should undertake to get the most ROI on cyber initiatives.  
• Prepare the people within our organizations to recognize and proactively protect themselves from cyber threats.
• Understand the broader risks that can impact your business and to be able to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical resources to mitigate risk and ensure business continuity.

This session is for… Technology & cyber leaders at small to medium-sized businesses or those looking to mature their cybersecurity organizations.

As GitHub's Chief Revenue Officer, Elizabeth guides go-to-market strategy while working hand-in-hand with Microsoft as the company delivered the first widespread AI tool - GitHub Copilot - to 1.5M users, Fortune 500 organizations and highly-regulated industries. She leverages extensive data and a seasoned, diverse Revenue team to identify customer adoption barriers and prime enterprises across sectors and international regions for new solutions in software creation, security, and management. Through its steady cadence of AI-driven product innovations and a customer-first mindset, GitHub is able to draw interest from new organizations, including established enterprises, to help them stay competitive in today’s software and AI-driven world. Elizabeth’s leadership is steering GitHub through its next phase of innovation, ensuring the company maintains resilience through shifting economic climates by promoting the flexibility that comes from working with a SaaS business and a culture focused on collective success.

Key Takeaways:

• How organizational leaders can drive customer growth and success in the age of AI
• Building and scaling an AI-driven business during economic uncertainties
• Helping customers navigate and embrace the rapidly changing world of AI software

This session is for... audience members of all levels who are interested in understanding how to grow a company and lead a team through a rapidly

As you go through your leadership journey, the ability to develop a continuous-improvement mindset and be able to effectively implement change is a skill that is highly sought after and one that showcases your ability to influence and communicate. Join this workshop, as we dive deep into the essence of continuous improvement and how to master the art of transformational leadership. We'll look at how to tell a compelling change story to help revolutionize your operation and how to use it as proof to gain buy-in when experiencing resistance.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop a continuous-improvement mindset
• How to effectively lead transformation across your entire organization
• How to tell a compelling change story

As a participant in this session you can expect to learn how to drive outcome focused communication through the Prepare/Create/Deliver framework. This framework will help you understand how to articulate your problem statement; identify stakeholders; develop direct, organized, and simple materials; check for understanding; expand your point of view; and stay focused on the outcome you’re looking to drive. You’ll then be able to leverage the session materials as a succinct guide for developing effective outcome focused communications in the future.

The Why: As engineers our solutions and ideas are only as good as our ability to articulate them. Developing our ability to effectively drive outcome focused communications improves efficiency in building buy-in from key stakeholders and accelerates the decision making process with leadership. Communication is a core competency for a reason, and learning how to stay outcome focused will help evolve that competency for engineers and technologists at all levels.

Key Takeaways:

• How to effectively prepare for outcome focused interactions
• Create simple and direct materials
• Deliver your communication in a focused and compelling way

This session is for... any technologist looking to enhance their ability to drive and influence outcomes with teams, peers, and leadership.

Empathy-Led Human-Centered Design puts people at the heart of the innovation process. This session explores how embracing empathy can lead to better products, more inclusive solutions, and a deeper understanding of diverse user needs. Learn practical strategies for integrating empathy into your design thinking approach and discover the power of paying it forward through mentorship and community building.

The Why: In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, understanding and addressing the unique needs and perspectives of diverse user groups is crucial for creating truly impactful and inclusive products and services. Empathy-led design empowers organizations to move beyond assumptions and build solutions that resonate with a wide range of end-users, fostering a more equitable and human-centric approach to innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Empathy as a Superpower: Discover how cultivating empathy can enhance your ability to understand user needs, challenges, and motivations, leading to more effective and user-centric solutions.
• Practical Empathy Tools: Explore a toolkit of empathy-building techniques, including user research methods, persona development, and journey mapping, to help you gain deeper insights into your target audience.
• Pay it Forward: Learn how to pay it forward by mentoring and supporting others, fostering a culture of empathy, and building a more inclusive and supportive tech community.

This session is for... you if you're a designer, developer, product manager, or anyone involved in creating digital products or services who wants to embrace a more empathetic and human-centered approach to innovation. It's also perfect for those interested in building a more inclusive and supportive tech community through mentorship and knowledge-sharing.

Development of machine learning tends to get code integrated with the underlying infrastructure and platforms resulting in restrictions to portability. Yet with proper methods, you can disintegrate your ML pipeline, so that it can run anywhere without losing fullness.

Techniques and best practices such as abstraction layers, containerization, cloud-agnostic APIs, and automated testing that facilitate environment-agnostic ML will be discussed in this talk. You will find out an architectural approach and tooling that enables fast porting models to be moved from on-prem, cloud to a hybrid environment.

We will also delve into the optimization strategies of performance, such as dynamic allocation, profiling, and tuning and not be faced with trade-offs when moving among environments. You will end up knowing how to construct supportive, tactile ML systems that give delivery mobility from model to way of life. Disengage your ML pipeline and code from platform limitations without compromising efficiency or timeliness.

Key Takeaways:

• Decouple your ML code from specific environments through modular, containerized architectures and platform abstraction layers. This prevents locking into any one platform.
• Leverage cloud-agnostic APIs and libraries with fallback support for different platforms rather than platform-specific tools. Minimizes rework when porting.
• Automate performance testing across target deployment platforms early and often. Enables tuning models for optimal performance everywhere.

In this dynamic one-hour workshop, attendees will be guided through the empowering process of envisioning their futures and crafting personalized vision boards. Participants delve into the significance of visualization in goal-setting and self-actualization, discovering how envisioning their dreams cultivates clarity and motivation. Through interactive exercises and discussions, attendees learn practical techniques for articulating their aspirations and translating them into tangible visual representations. The Facilitator will provide insights on selecting images, words, and symbols that resonate with individual visions, fostering a sense of ownership and alignment. By the workshop's end, attendees will leave equipped with the tools and inspiration to envision their desired futures with intention and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of visualizing your goals
• Skills to articulate your aspiration
• Tools and ideas for crafting a vision board

The session is for… attendees in all stages of their career who are interested in becoming more intentional about their career path and accomplishing their goals.

A recent report released in 2023 estimated that Black people make up just 8% of the tech workforce, and this number only decreases higher up the corporate ladder with Black tech executives making up 3%. This lack of representation is not only a detriment to the development of inclusive products to drive business, it also represents a huge missed opportunity of untapped talent in an industry already suffering of a widening skills gap. Join this fireside chat to learn how through collaboration between businesses, education, and policy can drive greater recruitment, and retention, of Black talent in technology.

Key Takeaways:

• Identifying routes and initiatives to hire and retain Black talent
• Creating advancement opportunities for Black talent
• Shifting how businesses work and engage with Black communities to create new opportunities

Over the past year, we've seen the resignation of a number of key influential senior women in technology who have been role models for many. Tech has long been lagging other industries in the representation of women in leadership and for the most part, the positions left open in these key roles are being filled by men. In this session, we'll explore the journey and skills required to make it to the C-suite and the importance of not just getting women into tech but retaining and building them into senior roles to create the next generation of women C-suite in tech.
 
Key Takeaways:

• Building the next generation of influential women leaders in technology
• Investing in initiatives to not only increase the representation of diversity but retention and promotion
• Learn what it takes to make it to the C-suite

Generative AI has unlocked unprecedented possibilities, reshaping industries and enhancing human creativity. As we embrace this shift in technology, it is time for us to see beyond some obvious use of Gen AI such as the chatbots and tap into the infinite potential of this technology. I would like to walk through some of the advanced aspects of building generative AI applications using RAG (Retrieval-Augmented generation), LangChain and Vector databases. In this workshop, we will build a highly customized AI application using these advanced concepts. You do not need to be an expert programmer. Knowledge of python is helpful. I will be providing template source code and other helpful articles in advance; in case you wish to code it live and see it running end to end!

The Why: In recent times, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized countless aspects of our lives, with generative AI emerging as a transformative force. Understanding advanced AI use cases exposes us to innovative solutions and approaches to complex problems. This knowledge enables us to think creatively and apply AI techniques to address challenges across various domains, fostering innovation. This workshop will help you learn about some critical technologies that contribute to the advancement of natural language processing and AI, albeit with different focuses and functionalities.

Key Takeaways:

• Think of Gen AI beyond the chatbots
• Know about some advanced technologies that can be used in conjunction
• How to build your own customized AI applications in one hour

This session is for...

• You if you want to understand the infinite potential of Generative AI
• You if you want to understand the key concepts of some advance technologies that support Gen AI
• You if you are not a coder but want to try your hands at building AI applications

Patrick Lencioni made the First Team concept famous in his book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Leaders have since sought after the creativity and innovation that comes from cross-functional leaders working together, but it is easier said than done. ezCater's CTO, Erin DeCesare, has been using improv techniques to unlock the partnership and collaboration that leaders desire. In this workshop, experiment with practical, fun improv approaches you can bring back to your teams to power more creative solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• The true ROI of improv: how one weekly exercise can unlock collaboration, break down silos, and empower cross-functional leaders.
• Thinking outside the box: how leaving the concept of “stupid ideas” at the door can lead to real breakthroughs.
• How to make it work: What makes an effective creative prompt? How should you provide feedback that doesn’t ruin creativity?

So many companies stand at the technology precipice. They have invested in technology to a certain point, but are unsure of how to move forward and reach their full potential. This session will be a roadmap for how to ignite positive, impactful tech change for any company.

Sharing real-world examples and best practices, Brooke will demonstrate how she helped two design companies rapidly transform themselves into technology powerhouses. She will illuminate paths forward for companies seeking similar transformation and why it matters. This session will encompass everything from solidifying tech infrastructure to building out new capabilities and more emergent tech solutions around Artificial Intelligence (AI). Brooke will also share looks at the tech solutions she and her teams are focused on for the future.

The Why: Technology has reshaped society. This means every company, regardless of its market, service, or mission, will need to be a technology company moving forward. This session identifies opportunities that organizations can seize. It shows how companies can embrace technology to empower meaningful business results. It is a session for every organization who wants to take control of their future.

Key Takeaways:

• Lead conversations at their organizations about important technology shifts and solutions and why they matter for their organizations.
• Take a more proactive approach to technology transformation at their organization, regardless of its market or size.
• Embrace tech transformation as a roadmap toward business success and resilience into the future.

This session is for... you if you like technology, you love technology, or you fear technology but recognize its growing importance. Using incredible authenticity, Brooke demystifies technology leadership and empowers people at every stage of their career to begin activating change for themselves and their businesses.
 

The National Cybersecurity Implementation Plan aims to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity capabilities through collaboration, risk management, continuous improvement, public-private partnerships, workforce development, technological innovation, and international cooperation. In this session, join Elke Sobieraj, Associate Chief of Policay at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as she shares key takeaways for businesses and actions towards implementing.

Key Takeaways:

• Collective collaboration to address cybersecurity threats collectively
• Developing continuous improvement in cybersecurity capabilities, including enhancing cyber defense, incident response, and recovery efforts
• The adoption of innovative technologies and practices to enhance cybersecurity resilience

In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, effective leadership requires more than just technical skills. It requires leading with authenticity, a purpose-driven mindset, and a commitment to growth and innovation. This session, with Nisha Paliwal, Managing Vice President of Enterprise Data Technology at Capital One, will explore the importance of leading with authenticity and purpose, while emphasizing the three Rs of a successful leader: Radiance, Resilience, and Relationships.

The emergence of autonomous agents is rapidly increasing and expected to have significant productivity gains. As technology leaders, we must lead through this fast-paced transformational journey. Technology leaders must define a strategic vision, foster adoption of the new technologies, and work collaboratively across their organization to ensure a comprehensive and successful implementation. In this session, expect insights and strategies for a future-ready workforce with actionable approaches to adopt new technologies, innovate, and successfully lead high-performing teams.

Key Takeaways:

• A peek into the future
• Key strategies for successful technology adoption
• Potential pitfalls to avoid

This session is for...

• Leaders at all levels who seek insights and strategies to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the autonomous technology frontier.
• Enthusiastic technologists for autonomous agents 

Gain insights into tools that make AI accessible, regardless of technical expertise. Discover the power of AI in this workshop while we explore the fundamentals of AI, industry applications, low-code and high-level coding platforms. You don't have to be a coder, as I'll guide you through a few scenarios for developing AI applications.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the fundamentals and applications of AI.
• Exploring low code platforms with AI functionality.
• Understanding how to build AI powered applications.

This session is for...

• You if you want to get a comprehensive overview of AI.
• You if you are not experienced in programming but want to explore AI application development.

Do you stay up until the early hours of the morning building a business that brings you joy and fuels your inner passion? Let's move you from straddling the fence to full-fledged business ownership! If you've been eager to transition to business ownership but haven't gained enough confidence to bet on you... this session is going to get you ready to soar! In this workshop, we'll take you through the tips and tricks on how to build your brand and business to become your full-time job

Key Takeaways:

• Build your checklist to get your business off the ground
• Identify your why and sense of purpose
• Target your audience / ideal client

This session is for... you if you have a side hustle that you want to be your main business!

The increasing influence of generative AI tools across business sectors has increased the exposure to regulatory compliance risks.  As AI continues to be incorporated into an organization’s data and technology ecosystem, the complexity around balancing cybersecurity threats, third-party oversight, and regulatory compliance becomes challenging.  This session will cover key challenges and recommended approaches to managing cybersecurity and privacy risks in the age of generative AI.

Key Takeaways:

• Responsible AI Adoption
• Connecting AI to Privacy and Security Compliance
• Important Procurement and Third-Party Contract Considerations

This session is for... you if you’re a Cybersecurity or Privacy professional challenged with the compliance risks and benefits of AI adoption, this session is for you.

Join Kristie Grinnell, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at DXC Technology, as she shares her top lessons learned from real-life experiences. In this session, Kristie will guide you on how to apply these insights to your strategic thinking and planning for the future. Explore how to move beyond reactive firefighting and adopt a more proactive and thoughtful approach to your operations. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable strategies for navigating the complex business game in today’s dynamic environment. Remember, success lies not only in reacting swiftly but also in anticipating and planning strategically.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating Operational Overload: Discover how to move beyond reactive firefighting and tackle operational challenges with a strategic mindset.
• Adaptability: Learn to adapt swiftly in an ever-changing landscape.
• Building Resilience and Long-term Vision: Understand the importance of strategic planning and resilience in achieving sustainable success.

This session is for... you if you’re seeking to transform your approach from tactical to strategic. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a rising leader in your organization, gain valuable insights and practical tools to navigate the complex landscape of operational overload.

Have you climbed the corporate ladder of leadership only to find that the landscape looks different that you imagined? The work shifts, the goals change, your time is used differently, and even the familiar faces are no longer there. Stepping into leadership is like stepping into new terrain. But here’s a secret: everyone finds themselves navigating unfamiliar land as their leadership advances. The key is to build a new toolkit to help you tackle it. This workshop will equip you with techniques to build executive presence and guide you through the process of creating a personal board of directors to empower your career growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Presence and influence at the senior level
• The art of leading and contributing during executive meetings
• Building and expanding your support network

This session is for... those of mid-senior level experience (10 years) seeking leadership roles.

In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, adaptability is not just an advantage—it's essential for survival and success. This workshop dives into the complexities of leading amidst continuous change. From pivoting to navigating fluctuating business demands, we'll uncover the barriers that prevent organizations from embracing change and provide actionable strategies to transform these challenges into opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Tips for understanding where you and your teams are right now so you can build or adapt successfully.
• Our blueprint for leading clients through a tech audit before starting new projects.
• An understanding of the foundations of the Adaptive Leadership Strategy.
• Inspiration to stop treating change like an emergency and create cultures and processes that tolerate unpredictability as a constant element.
• Insights from other attendees on their experiences with change in their organizations.

This session is for… This workshop is a must for technology leaders, including CEOs, COOs, CTOs, and senior executives who are steering their organizations through changes. Whether you're in the midst of a transformation or preparing for future challenges, the insights shared here will equip you with the knowledge and tools to lead with confidence and foresight. 

 

Welcome to Women in Tech DC 2024!

Join us for the official opening and welcome remarks to kick-start your day with inspiration and empowerment! Our two-day agenda is filled with expert-led sessions designed to help you learn how to start putting in the building blocks toward the future and securing your position as a futurist leader in tech and strategy.

Your personal data is intrinsically connected to you! As the world increasingly relies on data collection and use to address global security challenges, understanding this connection becomes increasingly important. Mason Clutter, the U.S. Department of Homeland Chief Privacy Officer, will provide a thought-provoking presentation on the intersection of privacy and technology, why privacy matters, and why privacy is a fundamental building block of human-centered technologies and policies. Also, hear how the Department is converging with government, industry, and academia to develop privacy data solutions with win-win outcomes to protect the privacy and human rights of the communities it serves.

 Key Takeaways:

• Technologies can enhance and not erode privacy. 
• Privacy and security are not mutually exclusive, they can coexist.
• Privacy by Design advances Security by Design.
• How you think about your data footprint.

This session is for... anyone interested in data, privacy, and human connections.

In this session, learn why purpose is driving positive business outcomes for the workforce of tomorrow where skills, rather than degrees, are driving talent acquisition. Learn how you can leverage purpose-driven mandates, nonprofit engagement, and academic and placement partnerships to make a serious impact in the sector. The speaker will draw upon her own experience building purpose-driven programs to solve the opportunity gap in tech talent, and how companies and non-profits can take advantage of this trend.

The Why:

• Creating a workforce for tomorrow, one that is skilled and poised to take advantage of new technologies and new geographic realities, can’t be accomplished by one sector alone. 
• Leaning into purpose and engaging with organizations solving the world’s greatest challenges gives perspective and connection to staff and partners alike.
• Building the workforce of tomorrow will require collaboration between all levels of business, academia, non-profits, and government.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how a purpose-driven ethos drives internal, revenue, and brand performance.
• Discover a tactical approach to driving skills for the future of tech.
• Solve the skills gap problem with creativity and collaboration.

This session is for...

• You if you are a business, non-profit, strategic, or technical leader; work in HR or talent development; or are an entrepreneur or social entrepreneur interested in solving the workforce of tomorrow problem.

Rapid technology change requires that we reimagine how we grow, develop, and build the future workforce. In this session, one chief diversity & inclusion officer will share best practices her team has learned for growing, skilling, and diversifying a workforce in the semiconductor industry that can be applied across tech. She will also discuss the importance of diversifying tech talent through nontraditional pathways and working with local K-12 education programs, community colleges, and institutions for top technical talent.
 
The Why: The workforce of the future will create a demand for individuals who are trained for jobs in the semiconductor and tech industry at scale. Meeting this need will require effective and creative workforce development solutions that expand the workforce and make these careers accessible to all.
 
Key Takeaways:

• Understand how historical workforce pipelines fall short.
• Identify regions and demographics that can help fill in workforce gaps.
• Learn how to create a coalition that engages diverse community constituents. 

This session is for... you if you are a business, strategic, or technical leader; are a manager; work in HR or recruitment; work in the public sector or public sector-adjacent (regional tech/business development)

Join Julie Uhrman and Katharine Parkinson for an empowering fireside chat on lessons learned, career development, and creating space for DEI. Get to know the stories of two formidable women in tech and sports as they share their insights on resilience, leveraging technology, and how they bring more women and underrepresented groups to diversify their industries. Gain practical strategies and advice for career development and learn how to carve your path forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating workplace dynamics, building resilience and leadership skills
• Tactics for implementing diversity, inclusion, and equity opportunities
• Career development strategies, networking, and trends

This session is for… leaders and aspiring leaders who want to sharpen their skills and gain practical insights into fostering their career development and paving the way for the next generation of women and underrepresented groups.

Teams often adopt new ideas and concepts which make sense and work well in many projects. However, the real value of these technology industry standards happen when these principles are implemented within teams allowing for a better understanding of the success and challenges experienced during the projects.

I will facilitate and encourage genuine dialogue about the Shift-Left Principles and discuss practical ways to introduce quality, testing and performance early in the software development life cycle—even before development starts.

Key Takeaways:

• Empower teams to collaborate effectively using Shift-Left Principles with Behavioral Driven Development processes during the project life cycle.
• Overcome Objections from Stakeholders and Learn Practical Ways to Communicate Effectively during team projects.
• Foster increased transparency by ensuring manual and automation testing is not an after-thought by shifting quality and performance before code development begins.
• Fun and Interactive sessions that sparks engagement and discussions among the various cross-functional teams.

This session is for… women in tech involved in the software development life cycle and want to learn practical ways to collaborate effectively with project stakeholders.
 

Societal conditioning places pressure on employees to be constantly online. The inner battle between balancing work and personal responsibilities, leaves thousands of women in the workplace feeling alone and unable to priortize their goals and well-being. This workshop will share practices for cultivating wellness and focus internally to unlock ease, abundance, and connection in the workplace. The session will guide attendees through a grounding breathwork meditation to bring in a deep state of truth, wellness, and focus. Attendees will learn to use holistic health practices to create effective teams and workplaces while fostering a supportive and engaged work environment. After the grounding mediation, attendees will have time to share their experiences, connect, and encourage well-being, productivity, and accountability.

Key Takeaways:

• How to cultivate a personal sense of care and safety while growing a career in tech.
• Recognizing boundaries and needs, practicing self-compassion, and setting realistic career expectations
• Practices for wellness and awareness that can be used to build and guide careers.

This session is for… everyone regardless of seniority.

How does T. Rowe Price apply world-class technology as a business strategy? Hear two perspectives on technology at T. Rowe Price, from a director driving the strategy to execution and from an engineer building the strategy from the ground up.
 
The Why:
As firms continue to look for ways to provide efficiencies and reduce risk, it is more important than ever to emphasize technology as a key strategic focus. In a rapidly changing technology landscape, it is critical for firms to become agile in order to strengthen their technology and unlock the full potential of their businesses.  
 
Key Takeaways:
Insights into aligning technology with a firm’s strategy
An approach to building the partnership and framework to execute the strategy
 
This session is... for you if you are a technology leader, part of a technology team and want to see technology as a strategic component of your firm’s business.

Join us for a dynamic presentation unveiling the trajectory of government technology modernization as we explore strategies for policymakers and organizations to navigate the rapidly evolving tech sphere, ensuring relevance and agility in the face of change. 

Key Takeaways:

• The evolution and future of modernizing government technology
• How can policy makers and organizations keep up with the ever changing and fast-evolving nature of technology
• Securing national infrastructure with cybersecurity as a national priority

There is no single pathway to a rewarding career in tech. Join a cybersecurity professional who entered the workforce in 2022, a researcher and leader in the development of the Wireless Internet of Things, and a national security professional with over 16 years on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Defense, for a conversation about how they got hooked on tech. You’ll be challenged to examine and envision your own professional roadmap to identify gaps, spot opportunities, and unlock your leadership potential.

Key Takeaways:

• Create your own personal algorithm for building your leadership capacity in tech.
• Learn how to leverage your network as your competitive advantage.
• This session is for you if you’re wondering how to fit all the puzzle pieces together for a rewarding career in tech.

In this session, Anu Muralidharan shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, encouraging the audience to break free from societal conditioning and embrace self-doubt as fuel. She shares her personal story, including her 2-year ""Costanza Experiment,"" where she did the opposite of what she thought she should do. She offers practical advice for building self-confidence in professional settings while maintaining humility and grace. Through her engaging and comical storytelling, Anu inspires audiences to focus on personal growth and authenticity in their quest for “success” and to never forget: The only person you ever need to impress is yourself.

The Why: Even the most successful and seemingly self-confident people struggle with self-doubt at times. Anu's deeply personal keynote helps others identify if they too are on a meaningless hamster wheel and how to get off without fear. She provides a deceptively simple roadmap to overcoming negative self-talk and pursuing the career we each deserve in the form of three principles. Anu is the first to admit that this isn’t a one-time “fix it and forget it” though. To this day, she will return to these three principles when she begins to feel as though she may have lost her way and ended up back on that relentless hamster wheel.

Key Takeaways: 

• How to build the self-confidence necessary to take risks and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
• Why doing anything is better than nothing and how to get started.
• When to take advice from others and how to spot someone who may have good intentions but is actually holding you back.

This session is for... those who are on their way to leadership - this session is an important reminder that “success” cannot be defined by anyone other than yourself and that there is no master plan for what you should be doing while providing three principles that can help you reclaim happiness at work and in life.

The technology we use today has changed significantly from what early adopters were using over a century ago, particularly the technology people rely on to communicate and connect with each other. As we face a constantly evolving future driven by technology, the considerations we make in creating and growing technology must evolve to reflect more modern populations and their needs.

Jennifer Parkhill, Senior Director, PMO & Strategy Execution, Verizon Partner Solutions, will take you on a journey of technological time travel, ending with reflections on the ways this emerging technology should intersect and demonstrate the power of people with the power of technology. 

Key Takeaways:

• Connecting people has always been at the center of communication technology advancements
• Power of Technology is optimized when it meets the requirements of a diverse society
• People and Technology efforts should focus on a sustainable and equitable future

What key foundational traits must you develop to be an impactful engineering executive? How do you get bigger and bolder results as you move up the engineering leadership ladder? With engineering executives being the lynchpin of success in technology companies, how can you adapt to the changing landscape of high-growth organizations and enable engineering to stay aligned with the business direction continuously?

In this session, Padma will share her experience-driven playbook on harnessing technical skills, people leadership, and engineering acumen to converge toward superior customer outcomes and business impact. As the voice of engineering, you will learn the ideas and motivations behind being the two-way bridge between the business and its underlying heartbeat - the tech organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Why is the Engineering Executive role important for the business?
• How does it differ from functional engineering leadership?
• What traits do the Engineering Executives need to exemplify?

This session is for... you if you are an emerging engineering leader, a tech lead or a team lead, an early-stage manager, or a senior technical leader currently not in management but contemplating a move.

Discover the essential skills for modern project managers to navigate the dynamic intersection of technology and human collaboration. Explore real-life case studies, engage in interactive role-playing exercises, and gain insights into the evolving role of project managers in 2024 and beyond. Learning to bridge the gap effectively fosters successful project outcomes in today's tech-driven landscape. Join us and equip yourself with the tools needed to thrive in the ever-changing world of project management.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the importance of bridging the gap between tech and human stakeholders.
• Recognizing essential project management skills for effective collaboration.
• Learning through real-life examples and role-playing exercises.
• Gaining insights into the evolving role of project managers in the tech-driven world.

Join us for the day two welcome remarks to kick-start your day with inspiration and empowerment! Our two-day agenda is filled with expert-led sessions designed to help you learn how to start putting in the building blocks toward the future and securing your position as a futurist leader in tech!

We'll also be joined by the Chair of the Global Leaders Forum (GLF) as they share key takeaways from the latest Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Report for 2024.

Join Mike Sweeney, Chief Strategy Officer at RallyBright for insights on building inclusive, resilient, high-performing Teams. We’ll highlight research on the positive impact women leaders have on team performance and assess the counter-intuitive challenges with early career confidence and imposter syndrome. We’ll explore how to use data and technology to open conversations designed to improve team performance. 

We’ll touch on how the (over) abundance of HR tech misses the mark on leadership development because they do not address an organization’s biggest impact driver - teams. And we’ll share insights from our work with teams ranging from Fortune 50 executives to small startups on how they are addressing challenges in a volatile hybrid world. We might even hint about the rise of NHTs (non-human teammates) augmenting your teams and showcase our AI capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Highlights from research on the positive impact women leaders have on teams (yet the challenge of low early career confidence)
• Practical approaches to using data and technology to open the door to developing team resilience (with leaders who may not typically engage in the ‘soft stuff’)
• Top tips for addressing challenges in uncertain times based on our work with technology teams

This session is for… you if you an HR/L&D professional of a small to medium-sized company, a team leader or a CEO/COO of a company with many teams.

Applying business knowledge is crucial. Women can excel in product management, utilizing their multitasking abilities to oversee cloud-based solutions from conception to market. Entrepreneurship in tech also offers a fertile ground for women to innovate, using cloud and AI to solve real-world problems. Additionally, consulting roles can benefit from women's strategic planning and market analysis skills, helping businesses integrate new technologies efficiently.

In AI development, women's perspectives are invaluable in ensuring ethical AI practices, contributing to research and development, and advocating for diversity in tech. Their involvement ensures AI systems are developed fairly and inclusively. By engaging in continuous learning, networking, and taking on roles that match their skills, women can drive innovation in cloud computing and AI, ensuring the field benefits from a diverse range of insights and approaches. This session aims to equip women with knowledge, resources, and motivation to explore or advance in cloud computing and AI, highlighting their unique value in the tech field.

Key Takeaways:

• Insights on educational resources for skill development strategies for applying business acumen in tech roles
• Awareness of the importance of ethics in AI
• How women contribute to equitable development inspiration from success stories and career advice for navigating the tech industry