Women in Tech Regatta Seattle 2024: Full Schedule

TBA

PRE-FUNK Connection Conversations (11am-12.30pm & 2pm-3.30pm)

Trust us as we match you for a mystery meetup with a fellow attendee with whom you may have a lot, or absolutely nothing, in common. Our motto at the Regatta is #relationshipsarethetruecurrency - we want you to meet your new best friend or boss - Sign up to attend, and we will contact you personally with location details. We are sending you to locally-owned cafes and coffee bars close to your location. #serendipitybaby

We have two timeslots available:

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Already signed up? Look out for an email from us.
Need to make any changes to your assigned time slot? Email stefani@wittegatta.com

Tuesday April 23, 2024 TBA
Local Coffee Shops

Connection Engineer Events

10:30am PDT

SEATTLE CREATES presents - InnovAtIve Artists at Work: AI. Just another Tool in the Toolkit. — Supported by Cornish College of Arts & Design

Join us for a peek behind the creative curtain to discover new tools + trends in harnessing AI/ML to enhance artistic expressions. This is a hands-on workshop led by interdisciplinary creatives demonstrating their utilization of AI/ML tools in diverse ways to positively impact their workflow and production. With breakout groups and deep dives into various creative industries spanning music, visual arts, photography, app development, marketing, and more, participants can expect to pick up some great insights and new tools as they develop a new concept in real-time during the workshop. Expect to walk away with fresh insights, tools to help you move your projects forward, and new connections with wildly talented creatives.

Key Takeaways:

Problem-solving, new discoveries, collaboration, curiosity, neurogenesis, fun, innovation
Potential to find new colleagues + teams outside of the workshop to pursue partnerships
Networking + people skills development
Something unexpected and creative
New skillset growth
New interests in AI/ML tools that enhance productivity and/or creativity

Moderators

Olivia Neal Howell

Founder, T.O.N.E.

OLIVIA NEAL HOWELL has a background is in Art and Design, but her authentic calling is to build community. After a two-decade career in corporate apparel design, Olivia developed an incredible background in project management, people development, and breaking creative boundaries through... Read More →

Speakers

Ben Andrews

Founder, Seattle Film Summit

Ben Andrews is a producer, award winning filmmaker, and creative economy innovator based in Seattle, WA. With decades of customer service experience and over 10,000 hours of unique personal engagements. Ben excels in building connections, partnerships, and collaborations while having... Read More →

Larenzo Floyd

Full time musician, Prismia

Larenzo Floyd, a proud Musician, is the maestro of the creative carnival, juggling roles as a performer, music producer, and all-around artist. His journey spans graphic design, music magic, marketing madness, and video wizardry, all simmering in a spicy pot of creativity. Fueled... Read More →

Sierra West

Founder, Cennec App

Sierra West is the founder of Cennec App. Named Startup Beats “40 under 40 Founders shaping 2023” An avid connector and ambassador for the power of human connection. Her mission is to “recennect the world” by helping people find connection within themselves, with each other... Read More →

Miguel Maestas

Independent Creative

Polymath. Entrepreneur. NetworKING. Musician. Marketer. Digital Creative.

Dominique Gordon

Founder & CEO, LEVELS

Dynamic and innovative technology leader with extensive experience in software development, product management, and strategic leadership. Proven track record in pioneering and executing technology solutions, managing high-performing teams, and driving organizational growth through... Read More →

Erin Ross

Co-Founder & Creative Director, Levels Nightlife

Erin Ross, co-founder and creative director behind Levels Nightlife—a nightlife event discovery and promotion platform making contributions to the nightlife industry by skillfully integrating artificial intelligence into the design. As the lead Creative, Erin utilizes AI tools to... Read More →

Sponsors

Cornish

Cornish+ is a new community school and public resource within Cornish College, offering over 40 studio-based classes, youth programs, student performances, and interdisciplinary community partnerships. Cornish+ represents the re-opening of Cornish's doors to the public, offering new... Read More →

T.O.N.E

The Olivia Neal Experience, otherwise known as T.O.N.E., is a Talent Agency meets Design Studio founded to provide a one-stop-shop opportunity to CONNECT + CREATE with exemplary Creatives and culture. Our diverse ecosystem is comprised of Artists, Producers, Creatives, and Musicians... Read More →

Wednesday April 24, 2024 10:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Cornish College of the Arts

Tech Mavens

12:30pm PDT

🍴Lunch Mingler — Supported by AWS Skills Center

Join us at this midday "light lunch" gathering, and get started on building new connections!
Light lunch options will be provided. Until supplies last.

Sponsors

AWS

Careers at AWS - You belong at AWSThere’s so much more to a career than the work — especially at AWS. Every person brings unique skills and perspectives to our team, so we’re building a workplace where more people can thrive.From our inclusive culture that encourages opinions... Read More →

Wednesday April 24, 2024 12:30pm - 1:00pm PDT
AWS Skills Center Seattle

Connection Engineer Events

12:30pm PDT

🍴Lunch Mingler — Supported by Seattle Children's Research Institute

Join us at this midday "light lunch" gathering, and get started on building new connections!
Light lunch options will be provided.

Sponsors

Seattle Children's Research Institute

At the forefront of pediatric medical research, the research division at Seattle Children’s is working to cure childhood disease and improve outcomes for children all over the world.

Wednesday April 24, 2024 12:30pm - 1:00pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Connection Engineer Events

1:00pm PDT

Navigating Corporate Waters: Using Psychological Safety to Aid in Conflict Resolution — Supported by Smartsheet

A recent study by CPP Inc. found that the average employee spends nearly three hours a week involved with conflict, costing employers nearly $360 billion in paid hours every year.
This workshop focuses on resolving conflicts in a way that maintains or enhances psychological safety within the team or organization. Participants learn conflict resolution techniques, practice active listening and empathy, and explore strategies for addressing differences of opinion without undermining trust or respect.

Speakers

Kati Quigley

VP, Portfolio and Customer Marketing, Smartsheet

Kati Quigley is the Vice President of the Portfolio and Customer Marketing organization at Smartsheet. Her team is the driving force behind getting products into the market - and keeping them there. Her team tells the innovation story, spotlights and engages with our customers to... Read More →

Sponsors

Smartsheet

The world is changing, and we at Smartsheet believe that no great achievement has ever come from standing still. That's why our worldwide team of over 3,000 members empowers anyone, in any organization, to embrace new challenges with audacity, creativity, and relentless dedication... Read More →

Wednesday April 24, 2024 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
AWS Skills Center Seattle

Career Acumen

1:00pm PDT

Women at the Helm: Stories from the Executive Deck — Supported by Seattle Children's Research Institute

Let's kick off #Regatta2024 by exploring the invaluable perspectives, experiences, and successes of female executives. From breaking through glass ceilings to driving innovation and fostering inclusive cultures, our speakers will share their personal stories, wisdom, and strategies for navigating the corporate landscape. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or simply passionate about leadership, this event promises to be both enlightening and empowering. Join us as we amplify the voices and contributions of women at the helm, inspiring positive change and paving the way for future generations of leaders.

Moderators

Katie Mooney

Managing Director, Diversity Best Practices, Seramount

Katie Oertil Mooney is Managing Director of Diversity Best Practices at Seramount. She is an accomplished DEI leader and thought partner with expertise in driving strategy and growth of diversity and inclusion change management, planning and programs. Prior to joining Seramount, she... Read More →

Speakers

Meaghan Sullivan-Moore

Vice President, Global Partner Marketing, ServiceNow

Meaghan Moore is the Vice President, Global Partner Marketing at ServiceNow. As a seasoned leader, Meaghan helms a global cross-functional team, spearheading partner acquisition, retention, and enablement through a comprehensive array of initiatives, including programs, demand generation... Read More →

Leslie R Walker-Harding, MD

Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer; Department of Pediatrics Chair, University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital

Dr. Leslie Walker-Harding is the Ford/Morgan Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics as well as Associate Dean for the University of Washington. She is also the Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President for Seattle Children's Hospital. She has been dedicated... Read More →

Sponsors

Seattle Children's Research Institute

At the forefront of pediatric medical research, the research division at Seattle Children’s is working to cure childhood disease and improve outcomes for children all over the world.

Wednesday April 24, 2024 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Leadership

1:00pm PDT

Data That Matters: A Technical Deep Dive on How to Get and Interpret the Data Part of “Data-Driven Decisions” — Supported by Anthropic

In 2023, it is estimated that 120 zetabytes of data was created. Translating this into more tangible numbers, Cisco’s Shruti Jain compared a terabyte, a common drive size, to a kilometer. In this analogy, 120 zetabytes would be equivalent to 156,000 roundtrips to the moon. With this much data at our fingertips, this panel will dive into discussions on how we responsibly collect data and use it to effectively drive our everyday business decisions. Join us to hear how experts let the data guide them to meaningful decisions that power critical sales opportunities, keep money flowing around the world, and take us into space.

Moderators

Erica Merchant

Engineering Manager, Anthropic

Erica (she/her) has spent over a decade in software engineering, with a focus on full-stack, cloud service development. She is currently a manager at Anthropic where she enjoys having the opportunity to enable the mission of creating reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems... Read More →

Speakers

Kathleen O’Brady

BE-4 Deputy Program Manager, Blue Origin

Experienced Certification Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the aviation and aerospace industry. Skilled in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, Aerospace, and Space Systems. Strong operations professional with a Master of Science (MS... Read More →

Wuen Oh

Product Manager and Sr Product Solution Architect, Highspot

With over eight years of experience in the pre-IPO B2B software industry, Wuen possesses a deep understanding of product development and customer experience and adeptly navigates complex challenges at the convergence of people, processes, and technology.Her journey began as a pre-sales... Read More →

Nirmala Sistla

Managing Director, Head of Data & Analytics Platforms for Consumer & Commercial Banking, JPMorgan Chase & Co

Seasoned product and technical executive with strong track record of building and leading large multi-regional organizations to deliver innovative products & business-critical services to delight customers. Passionate about hiring and developing leaders, identifying and solving strategic... Read More →

Sponsors

Anthropic

We believe AI will have a vast impact on the world. Anthropic is dedicated to building systems that people can rely on and generating research about the opportunities and risks of AI.

Wednesday April 24, 2024 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Tech Mavens

2:45pm PDT

Charting New Waters: Launching your Career in Tech — Supported by the Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology

Ready to kickstart your tech career? With training under your belt and enthusiasm in tow, you're poised for the challenge. But how do you navigate these new waters without prior experience? And in a field where connections are crucial, how do you build your network?

Join our panel of hiring managers and early-career professionals as they share insider tips on crafting a standout resume, leveraging your existing contacts to expand your network, and confidently presenting your skills in interviews. Get ready to set out on your tech journey with the wind firmly in your sails.

Moderators

Laurie Litwack

Founder, Chief Success Accelerator, Today Is Your Day

Laurie Litwack is a #ProblemSolver, a #MotherofDaughters, and a #CompassionateGeek.At the Women in Tech Regatta, Laurie has questions for you! What made sailing into tech interesting to you? What rocked your boat when you started working in tech? What would have made it easier to... Read More →

Speakers

Erica Thomas Chen

Community Manager and Consultant, Mentors in Tech (MinT)

I help people unlock their potential through strategic career moves. As a marketer, I communicated the benefits of Microsoft's training and certification offerings to customers focused on skills development. As a recruiter, I helped college and MBA students launch careers in technology... Read More →

Ady Sharma

D&I Coach and Program Manager, HR Professional

I believe in paying it forward when we can't pay it back. As an HR professional, I am committed to advancing a shared vision of societal transformation by leveraging technology and building a community for the next generation which supports embedding a climate-conscious culture, creating... Read More →

Jenna Yee

Software Release Manager, Salesforce

Born and raised in the Seattle area, I went to school at Highline College for just over two years before transferring to the University of Washington Seattle - Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, graduating with my Bachelors of Science, Computer Science. I am currently... Read More →

Catherine Wyman

Computer Science Department Chair and Faculty, Skagit Valley Community College

I like coding and I like encouraging others in computer science. I am the co-founder (with Frances McMahon Ward) of Girls Have IT Day, an event which reached over 5,000 girls - many of whom were from Title 1 schools. I am jazzed about working to support strivers in tech - who might... Read More →

Sponsors

Center of Excellence for Information and Computing Technology

We connect community and technical colleges, students, employers, job seekers, K-12 educators, and tech sector leaders to build a diverse, highly-skilled technical workforce for the state of Washington.

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
AWS Skills Center Seattle

Career Acumen

2:45pm PDT

“Upsailing” Your Journey: From the Upper Deck to the C Suite

From deck crew to captain or junior to C-level, this event is for you if you covet the C-suite. Set your plan into motion now! Learn about harnessing your potential, overcoming obstacles, and seizing opportunities to propel your career forward. Discover the essential traits and competencies required to thrive in executive roles and learn how to cultivate them effectively.

Moderators

Dilpreet Kaur

Co-founder, Sparklos

Working alongside executives for more than 25 years, Dilpreet understands what senior leaders from CXOs to VPs are up against—big goals, an expanding scope of responsibility, and growing challenges and complexity.Dilpreet is passionate about building innovative businesses that help... Read More →

Speakers

Amy Freeland Johnson

Chief People Officer, Highspot

As Highspot’s Chief People Officer, Amy’s work is centered around enhancing the journey for every person and driving business outcomes that start with the employee experience. Amy has brought her passion for building thriving cultures and designing well-intentioned employee experiences... Read More →

Alpa Parikh

VP Internal Audit, Executive Co-sponsor of Women and Gender Minorities ERG, Smartsheet

Alpa is a finance executive with over twenty years of internal audit, enterprise risk and governance experience across healthcare, energy and technology. The various industries are complemented with over ten years of board level and functional expertise across ethics, finance, business... Read More →

Shakira Pastrana-Naumann

Vice President, Commercial Fabrication Metals Capability, Boeing

Shakira Pastrana-Naumann is vice president of the Metals Capability for Boeing Fabrication, a global operation of 12 manufacturing business units and more than 16,000 employees who produce components and assemblies for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and other Boeing businesses.Previously... Read More →

Courtney McShane

Senior Director, Global Head of AWS Business, ServiceNow

McShane brings innovative startup energy to Fortune 500 business challenges with a strong track record of driving revenue growth and exceeding annual targets over $500M. Recognized for her high-energy, creative leadership style, she cultivates new revenue streams marked by successful... Read More →

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Career Acumen

2:45pm PDT

Dr. Robot: The Intersection of Healthcare & Technology

Healthcare costs are skyrocketing in the US while arguably, the quality of care is in decline. One solution, leveraging technology. From automating patient medical records to using AI to flag dangerous drug interactions, from employing real world medical data for rapid improvement in health outcomes to virtual doctors and telemedicine. There are unlimited possibilities! However, in order to create solutions that improve all of our health, we need diverse leadership and a representative workforce. During this panel participants will talk about their experiences at the crossroads of healthcare and technology as well as how we can recruit more women, LGBTQ, and POC into these critical roles.

Moderators

Jill DeGreen

Sr. Director of Research Operations

Leveraging more than 25 years of expertise spanning biotech sales, entrepreneurship, and life science operations, Jill DeGreen is a dynamic leader driven by a steadfast commitment to nurturing meaningful relationships. With a profound belief and passion in the transformative power... Read More →

Speakers

Daksha Ranade

Sr. Director, Research Informatics and Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Analytics in Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute

Daksha Ranade has worked at Seattle Children’s for the last 10 years. She has been in the healthcare field for the last 20 yrs. and is passionate in helping translating “bedside” requirements to “bench”. In her current role as the Sr Director, Research Informatics and Biostatistics... Read More →

Margo Schneider

Assistant Vice President, Digital Strategy and Operations, UW Medicine

Margo Schneider is Assistant Vice President of Digital Strategy and Operations for UW Medicine, where she leads technology, digital experience, content marketing, and creative teams to advance digital innovations that improve the health of the public. Prior to UW Medicine, Margo built... Read More →

Dr. Tonya Palermo

Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine

Dr. Tonya Palermo is a pediatric psychologist and Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at University of Washington with adjunct appointments in Pediatrics and Psychiatry. She holds the Hughes M. and Katherine Blake Endowed Professorship... Read More →

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

HealthTech

4:15pm PDT

⭐️ The MotherSHIP MAIN EVENT: Fun-Filled Connections, Professional Headshots, Resource Fair and Podcast Corner ⭐️ ALL ABOARD THE REGATTA Adventure! ⭐️ Hosted by Seattle Children's Research Institute & Women in Bio

🌟 Kick off the Regatta at Seattle Children’s Research Institute's newest space!
Join us for a fun-filled resource reception as we celebrate the empowerment of women and girls in the tech industry. Immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Seattle's tech ecosystem, where we'll spotlight organizations committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity. Kickstart your Regatta experience alongside like-minded peers and mentors. We're eagerly awaiting your arrival to share stories, forge connections, and champion the undeniable power of diversity in tech!

🚀 Connect and Elevate:
Forge invaluable connections with industry leaders and propel your career to new heights. Discover exciting opportunities, gain insights, and expand your network in a supportive and empowering environment.

💼 📸 Engage and Empower:
Participate in events designed to ignite collaboration and inspiration. From speed networking sessions (where your next BFF or boss awaits!) to professional headshot photo sessions, seize the chance to make meaningful connections and advance your professional journey.

🎙️ Explore Perspectives:
Step into the POV Podcast Popup Corner and join lively discussions on the latest news and hot topics surrounding Women in Tech. Sponsored by industry trailblazers and featuring esteemed podcast hosts Rachel Horgan of “The Weekly” and Maureen Clough of “It Gets Late Early”, with captivating visuals by Samuel Francois of “Growing Boy Media”. Share your unique perspective and join the conversation!

🌮🥗🧁🍹🥤Drinks and bites provided by Seattle Children's Research Institute
Event is in partnership with Women in Bio

Speakers

Rachel Horgan

Founder & Host, the weekly podcast

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego... Read More →

Maureen Wiley Clough

Creator and Host, It Gets Late Early Podcast

Just like you, Maureen has built a career in tech. But as she looked around the proverbial Zoom room at her last early-stage startup, she was struck by the fact that the number of people over 40 were slim to none. When she realized she had observed a similar demographic makeup in... Read More →

Sponsors

GrowingBoyMedia

GrowingBoyMedia, founded by Samuel Francois, a visionary in video production with a wealth of experience. Diverging from the conventional growth-at-all-costs model, we embrace a dynamic and nimble team approach. Tailoring each project to its unique demands, we collaborate with top-tier... Read More →

It Gets Late Early

Let’s change the future of the tech workforce together. The tech sector is widely known to openly prefer youth. Yet with every passing moment, we are all aging (yes, even you). And despite the understanding that ageism is a problem in this industry, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion... Read More →

Seattle Children's Research Institute

At the forefront of pediatric medical research, the research division at Seattle Children’s is working to cure childhood disease and improve outcomes for children all over the world.

the weekly

Every episode Rachel and a rotating co-host will explain the top Seattle business news stories of the week in a casual yet informative way. We will discuss why it matters to you, what it could mean for the future, and other insights. We know you’re busy, so spend about 30 minutes... Read More →

Women in Bio

We are an organization of professional women from all career walks in the field of life sciences. We are all volunteers and we all share the goal of enabling and empowering women to reach the highest levels of leadership, and — more importantly — to fulfill their own career aspirations.Our... Read More →

Wednesday April 24, 2024 4:15pm - 6:00pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Connection Engineer Events

4:15pm PDT

📸 Get Your LI Headshot with Sombilon Studios

Exciting news for all Women In Tech Regatta participants! Sombilon Studios is back to offer you Professional Complimentary Studio Headshots. Whether you're a guest, speaker, or sponsor, use this opportunity to enhance your professional portfolio.

It's the perfect chance to get a headshot that showcases your professionalism in a fun and engaging setting.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to capture your professional best. We're excited to see you there and help make your experience at the Regatta even more memorable!

Wednesday April 24, 2024 4:15pm - 6:00pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Connection Engineer Events

4:30pm PDT

Relationships Are the True Currency

Looking to meet your new boss? Or your new best friend? Check out this session for The Regatta’s spin on speed networking. You can expect fun music, funny questions, and fantastic humans. See you soon!

Speakers

Elizabeth Woolf

Founder, Communication Code

Elizabeth is a consultant for first time female health tech founders and is the founder of Communication Code, a company that helps transform founders into damn good communicators.

Wednesday April 24, 2024 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Seattle Children's Research Institute: Building Cure

Connection Engineer Events

10:30am PDT

An Introvert’s Guide: Finding Your Voice and Getting Noticed

Though nearly half of the American population identifies as an introvert, our society has an “extrovert ideal” that often excludes introverts from the conversation. This workshop will discuss why organizational change is necessary and provide practical tools that introverts can immediately implement to find their voice, be heard, and confidently share their introvert power.

Speakers

Sheila Oh

Teaching Professor and Director, Computer Science Fundamentals Certificate Program, Seattle University

Sheila is a faculty member of Seattle University's Computer Science department and directs the career change certificate program in computer science fundamentals at Seattle University, a part-time program that prepares students with no prior computer science background to enter the masters program in computer science. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the Women in Technology (ACM-W) club at Seattle... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Adapt & Thrive

10:30am PDT

Prompt Engineering: Maximizing Productivity with AI | Byte Size Tech Class

While there is little doubt that most, if not all, professionals know about the term “generative AI”, there is far less certainty as to how and if it is being used purposefully in the workplace. Prompt Engineering: Maximizing Productivity with AI is one session synchronous workshop that introduces how to best use generative AI Large Language Models to enhance productivity. The workshop will begin by clarifying and explaining high-level key AI fundamentals to ensure learners have the groundwork necessary to engage meaningfully. Then, participants will dive deeply into the concept of prompt engineering - and the corresponding basics behind generative AI inputs and outputs, as well as the potential risks inherent in the systems. The workshop will use scenarios so learners can immediately apply the best practices and have an opportunity to discuss their results with one another.

This virtual workshop is delivered synchronously using Zoom and Nearpod to create an engaging learning experience that will capture participant attention and prompt interactivity throughout.

Please make sure you can access an LLM chatbot (ChatGPT, copilot, or Gemini, some employers restrict access, you might need to put in an access request).

Speakers

Zach Blattner

Director of Partner Products & Programs, Northeastern University

Zach Blattner is the Director of Partner Products and Programs in the customized education practice. He has expertise in developing programs, bringing them to market, and taking them to scale. Blattner joined Northeastern after spending nearly two decades in high-growth K12 organizations... Read More →

Sponsors

Northeastern University Seattle

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a top-tier, nonprofit research university, grounded in experiential learning. We integrate academic coursework with professional work, research, service, and global learning opportunities in 128 countries.Northeastern University—Seattle is dedicated to delivering an education that’s industry-responsive, employer-aligned, and student-centered. Our mas... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

10:30am PDT

Tech Explorers: Engineers Unveil the Secrets of AI & ML in Real Life — Supported by Snowflake

Delve into how AI and ML are revolutionizing software development, hardware design, and data analysis. From optimizing algorithms to enhancing system performance, discover how these transformative technologies empower engineers to push the boundaries of what's possible. Join us to hear firsthand how these technologies are reshaping the digital landscape, propelling engineers towards unprecedented levels of efficiency and ingenuity.

Moderators

Padmaja Vrudhula

VP - Solution Innovation, Snowflake

Ms. Vrudhula leads an innovation team at Snowflake focused on developing solutions for customers which accelerate the adoption of new product capabilities related to data applications, data science, data collaboration, and data modernization. Prior to Snowflake, Padmaja spent nearly... Read More →

Speakers

Tanaya Yadav

Product Manager, Microsoft 365 Platform

Tanaya is a Product Manager at Microsoft 365 Platform, where her team is leading the way work is imagined in the AI era through Microsoft 365 Copilot that blends the power of large language models (LLMs) with your organizational data- all in the flow of work- to make your words one... Read More →

Brian Krausz

Product Engineer, Anthropic

Brian Krausz is a Member of Technical Staff at Anthropic, developer of Claude 3, the best-in-market family of LLMs. He has been instrumental in developing Anthropic's API and frontend stack, including launching Claude.ai and opening up the company's API to the general public.Prior... Read More →

Sponsors

Snowflake

Snowflake’s founders started from scratch and built a data platform that would harness the immense power of the cloud. But their vision didn’t stop there. They engineered Snowflake to power the Data Cloud, where thousands of organizations have seamless access to explore, share... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

12:30pm PDT

What Would Chad Do?™ Negotiate, Navigate & Neutralize Situations — Supported by Astound Broadband

Our collective female experience, backed by research, shows women and men behave differently in the workplace, at women’s expense. Studies show women tend to follow the rules more closely than men, do not push for salary increases at the same rate as men, and underestimate the value of networking to get ahead. During this session learn from experienced leaders on how to negotiate, navigate and neutralize these situations. Let’s take a page out of our male colleagues’ playbook and ask ourselves “#whatwouldchaddo?”

Moderators

Laurie Litwack

Founder, Chief Success Accelerator, Today Is Your Day

Speakers

Jonathan Kauffman

Advisor

Jon worked at Microsoft as a Program and General Manager from 1990 to 2014. He worked on the teams that built Exchange, Outlook, and SharePoint. He retired in 2014 as Corporate Vice President, Director of Program Management in Office Communications. From 2006 to 2009 he led the acquisition... Read More →

Anu Arora

Founder and Owner, Infinite Potential Leadership

Anu has coached leaders of high-tech companies, non-profits, startups and educational institutions to identify core issues, make the complex simple, and helped move them past their blocks to create transformational results. Anu brings her international experiences, industry skills... Read More →

Jonathan Keller

Vice President of Product Management, Databricks

Jonathan is currently the Vice President of Product Management for data warehousing and governance at Databricks. Prior to joining Databricks, he led the BigQuery product management team at Google Cloud and he spent almost 20 years at Microsoft in various roles. Jonathan has a... Read More →

Anjalika Mitra

Principal Lead Program Manager, Microsoft

Anjalika is a seasoned technology leader with an impressive track record of driving strategic initiatives while building and leading high-performing teams. With over 25 years of industry experience, Anjalika is deeply passionate about fostering innovation through technology and delivering... Read More →

Laura Espriu

Executive Coach & Leadership Development Consultant / Founder of Latinas In Seattle–Lean In

An advocate for diverse talent by heart, Laura is dedicated to helping individuals define growth and success on their own terms by unlocking their strengths and purpose. As an ICF-certified Executive & Career Coach and Leadership Development Consultant, she brings over 14 years of... Read More →

Sponsors

Astound Business Solutions

Astound Business Solutions provides IT leaders with high-capacity, secure connectivity for their mission-critical applications while increasing overall agility and responsiveness. We offer advanced solutions that are delivered over a diverse, carrier-grade network that provides the... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Career Acumen

12:30pm PDT

Essence and Intelligence: Decoding Aromas with TinyML | Byte Size Tech Class

We will explore the fundamentals of Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) and its transformative potential in our daily lives. Prepare to be captivated by a live demonstration of an Artificial Nose, or "AI Sniffer," which harnesses the power of TinyML to distinguish between everyday aromas like tea, coffee, wine, beer, and whisky. Discover how these technologies are not just about detecting, but understanding the world in ways previously imagined only in science fiction. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a professional in the field, or simply curious about the future of technology, this talk will provide you with insights into how TinyML is shaping an exciting new frontier in artificial intelligence.

Please make sure you can access an LLM chatbot (ChatGPT, copilot, or Gemini, some employers restrict access, you might need to put in an access request).

Speakers

Kiran Trivedi, Ph.D.

Associate Teaching Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University

With an extensive background spanning 26 years in educating both undergraduate and graduate students within the university realm, Dr. Kiran Trivedi is a seasoned academic. His dedication to knowledge dissemination goes beyond conventional teaching, as evidenced by his orchestration... Read More →

Sponsors

Northeastern University Seattle

Thursday April 25, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

12:30pm PDT

Text Transformation Using Python: Exploring Shakespeare's Favorite Words | Byte Size Tech Class

Participants will explore text processing with Python, using William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" as their subject. They'll tokenize the text, analyze word frequency, and visualize results to reveal Shakespeare's favored words and themes. By removing common stopwords, they'll uncover deeper insights into the playwright's language choices, culminating in a discussion where they interpret their findings, offering fresh perspectives on Shakespeare's enduring literary brilliance in the digital era.

Please make sure you can access an LLM chatbot (ChatGPT, copilot, or Gemini, some employers restrict access, you might need to put in an access request).

Speakers

Shanu Sushmita

Assistant Professor, Northeastern University

Shanu Sushmita is an assistant teaching professor in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, based in Seattle.As a researcher, Sushmita focuses on machine learning techniques and the application side of information retrieval. In 2012, her doctoral work... Read More →

Sponsors

Northeastern University Seattle

Thursday April 25, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

2:30pm PDT

Hiding in the Bathroom: Emotions in the Workplace & How to Manage Them

What happens when you start to feel frustrated, worried, disappointed, or just plain mad at work? For many women the answer is to “hide in the bathroom” and cry. Why? Because up until now showing emotions in the workplace has been seen as a weakness. Yet, women and men are emotional creatures. During this panel discuss we’ll discuss when it is appropriate to express true emotions at work, how embracing vulnerability can improve your career, and tips for keeping things professional while remaining authentic to yourself.

Moderators

Elizabeth Woolf

Founder, Communication Code

Elizabeth is a consultant for first time female health tech founders and is the founder of Communication Code, a company that helps transform founders into damn good communicators.

Speakers

Brenda Ssaaka

Professional Services Manager II, Smartsheet

My primary objective is to consistently exhibit excellence through my commitment to process improvement and collaborative teamwork, while offering strategic direction that inspires a growth mindset and elevates the organizations that I serve.With over 6 years of experience in the... Read More →

Marie Stuppard

Sr. Director, Slalom Consulting

Results-oriented accomplished strategic leader and trusted advisor. An experienced business professional with over 25 years of proven abilities in leadership coaching, consulting, team building and transformation, program management, business process improvement, and client delivery... Read More →

Pierre Bradette

Management Consultant, Slalom

Bio is coming soon.

Shivani Pant

Staff Software Engineer | Engineering Manager, Plaid

Bio is coming soon.

Thursday April 25, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Adapt & Thrive

2:30pm PDT

Charting a Course to Quantum Computing | Byte-Sized Tech

Ever been curious about quantum computing? Discover how the physics and statistics of the quantum realm change the rules of "classical" computers, see how you can use qubits to solve puzzles, and experience the magic behind programing a real quantum computer. No programming experience necessary.

Please make sure you can access an LLM chatbot (ChatGPT, copilot, or Gemini, some employers restrict access, you might need to put in an access request).

Speakers

Oscar Veliz

Assistant Teaching Professor, Northeastern University

Oscar Veliz is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Northeastern University - Seattle campus and he earned his PhD in Computer Science from The University of Texas at El Paso. His dissertation was in Artificial Intelligence focused on game theoretic models of reasoning under uncertainty... Read More →

Sponsors

Northeastern University Seattle

Thursday April 25, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

2:30pm PDT

Looking into the Crystal Ball of Tech: What's Next?

Tech is full of trends, and there are enough marketing campaigns out there to make you believe that everything is the next big thing. But what about the trends in tech that are less hyped? Who is building and shaping these next forms of tech? Join us to look into the crystal ball and meet the amazing, forward-thinking people who are working in this space

Moderators

Shauna Causey

Co-Founder, WEEKDAYS

Startup marketing and product leader. I've also served on 10 nonprofit boards and had the chance to speak at 80 conferences. Some of my favorite career moments: -Founded a program called Startup Women at Techstars that went global encouraging women to start tech companies across the... Read More →

Speakers

Mamtha Banerjee

Managing Director, GM, Core Platform Engineering and API Platform & Marketplace, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Mamtha Banerjee, a Tech entrepreneur, is currently Managing Director, GM at Chase leading Core Platform Engineering products including API Marketplace, New Banking Architecture, Runtime Engineering. Previously, she was Vice President, Technology at Expedia Group, where she led platform... Read More →

Ying Zhao

Sr. Director, Supply Chain Mgmt, Servicenow, Inc

Ying is 20+ years of professional in supply chain management with an accounting background.Ying currently is Sr. Director for Cloud Supply Chain Operation at ServiceNow. She has been with the company for 11 years and grew the function from cloud hardware procurement to manage its... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

4:15pm PDT

Pedal Power: The Urban Eco-Delivery Revolution — Living Change Podcast

Prepare for a riveting episode on Andrea Learned's Living Change podcast, where the seemingly mundane world of last-mile delivery gets a high-octane makeover. Picture bustling city streets transformed by the sleek maneuvering of eCargoBikes, poised to revolutionize urban freight delivery and curb carbon emissions in one fell swoop.

Join Andrea as she delves deep into the heart of this transportation revolution, chatting with experts from the UW Urban Freight Lab and real-life eCargoBike riders from UW's mail delivery team. From data-driven insights to intimate stories from the streets, this episode promises a thrilling ride through the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and human experience.

Speakers

Giacomo Dalla Chiara

Research Engineer, Urban Freight Lab

More info coming soon!

Andrea Learned

Climate Influencer, Advisor and Host, Living Change podcast

Andrea is a climate influencer and advisor who coined the term, Climate Influence, to nudge more leadership visibility on true climate ACTION. “Be seen leading” is her call, and that’s exactly what she writes and talks about on all of her platforms https://linktr.ee/AndreaLearned... Read More →

Sponsors

Living Change: A Quest for Climate Leadership podcast

The global climate emergency demands bolder leadership. Climate influence catalyst, Andrea Learned, is on a campaign to help leaders get louder, and prouder, about how their personal values influence their work and drive climate impact. “Living Change” weaves an engaging narrative... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Climate Tech

4:15pm PDT

Adapting Skills for Emerging Tech Trends — Supported by Snowflake

One of the common themes in tech is how to adapt and stay relevant as there are new features and trends. In this session learn a bit more about how and if we can predict tech trends, and in a world in which we have not been able to do so, what can you do to stay relevant.

Speakers

Padmaja Vrudhula

VP - Solution Innovation, Snowflake

Sponsors

Snowflake

Thursday April 25, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Tech Mavens

4:15pm PDT

👟 Walky Talky

LET’S GO FOR A “WALKY TALKY” TOGETHER. 👟 We pair you with other walkers to help each other unstick something about their professional or personal lives. Nothing’s off limits here.

The goal is simple: To move your body to fuel your mind, connect more fully with yourself—and others—by connecting with the world outside. Studies show you’re twice as creative while out walking as you are slumped behind your desk. And you need those big ideas to make the most of your big life.

Rain or Shine ☂️☀️

Speakers

Melody Biringer

Founder, WiT Regatta

Melody Biringer is a self-proclaimed “connection engineer,” a serial entrepreneur who has built a career around building communities for women to thrive. She is the founder of the acclaimed Crave Company, where she's spent more than 20 years encouraging women to have fun while... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Walky Talky

5:15pm PDT

🎉 Unlocking Tech for All: The Power of Intersectionality + Connection Hour! With SeaCiti

Tech innovation hinges on inclusion and eliminating biases. But how do we turn this knowledge into action? Join us for an engaging discussion on dismantling barriers and addressing biases in technology development, ensuring accessibility for all. Our panel of tech leaders will share practical strategies and insightful perspectives, driving towards a more equitable digital future. Together, we'll tackle the systemic biases ingrained in our digital systems, fostering collaboration to unearth actionable solutions and shape a more inclusive technological landscape. And don't forget to stick around for light bites provided by Northeastern University during the connection hour.

Moderators

Terrance Stevenson

SeaCiti Director, WTIA

Terrance Stevenson is the Director of SeaCiti, a WTIA (Washington Technology Industry Association) program advancing Washington's inclusive technology industry with relevant, employee-focused events, resources, insights, and discussion forums. He brings a wealth of experience from the nonprofit, startup, and government sectors... Read More →

Speakers

Dr. Nicole DeKay

Senior Human Resources Analyst & Survey Specialist, Blue Origin

Multi-disciplinary data scientist and architect with a PhD in industrial-organization psychology with a passion for using data and analytics to improve worker conditions.

Sara Weisweaver

Senior Program Manager, TTS Research + Outreach, WellSaid Labs

I am a creative thinker and strong collaborator who enjoys working with creators in the pursuit of responsible, innovative AI.As Program Manager for TTS Research, I ensure the quality and accuracy of our new TTS models before they launch to customers through data research, model testing... Read More →

Tanaya Yadav

Product Manager, Microsoft 365 Platform

Jimena Garcia

Program Manager, Inclusive Research, Allen Institute

Jimena Garcia (she/her) is Program Manager, Inclusive Research at the Allen Institute. She leads enterprise strategies and initiatives to enhance diverse perspectives in science and promote equitable and inclusive research. This includes facilitating and advocating for equitable research... Read More →

Sponsors

Northeastern University Seattle

SeaCiti

SeaCiti, works to strengthen the Puget Sound region’s technology workforce by promoting equitable and inclusive civic engagement. We engage with and connect tech and innovation employees to each other and to opportunities to help build a vibrant community.

Thursday April 25, 2024 5:15pm - 7:00pm PDT
Northeastern University Seattle

Connection Engineer Events

6:30pm PDT

Junior League of Seattle's Women with Impact

Women around the world as catalysts for lasting community change; this is the vision of the Junior League. 2024 marks 100 years that the Junior League of Seattle has served our community as a women's civic leadership organization. At Women with Impact, you'll hear from remarkable women who took their experience in Junior League to another level in our community both personally and professionally.

Speakers

Minda Brusse

Founding Partner, First Row Partners

I bring my startup operating experience to venture investing at First Row Partners and my postgraduate teaching at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. I co-founded the First Row Partners in 2020 with Yoko Okano to invest in pre-seed companies across the US and... Read More →

Rhonda Neben

Senior Manager, Governance, Risk & Compliance, Transportation Risk & Compliance, Amazon

Growth-oriented executive demonstrating leadership, people, financial, legal, tax, accounting, technology, sales, and marketing savvy. Known for operations turnaround, delivery of high-quality professional services, client loyalty and sustained profitability. Change-management leader... Read More →

Laura Garcia Pendergrast

LGP Consulting and Coaching

Laura has spent her 25-year career in tech, retail, financial services and gaming working with clients at Microsoft, Xbox, Samsung, Cisco, F5 Networks and more. She is a connector and storyteller that loves to help teams launch new products and services. She is a 20 year member of... Read More →

Latrice Lee

Senior Corporate Counsel, Alaska Airlines

Latrice Lee is Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor and Employment for Alaska Airlines. In this role, she is responsible for providing advice and counsel to business leaders, managing labor negotiations, labor arbitrations, litigation, investigations, and outside counsel. Prior to joining... Read More →

Thursday April 25, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
The Collective Seattle

Connection Engineer Events

10:30am PDT

Jumping Ship: Making the Leap from Big Tech to Startups — Supported by J.P. Morgan

Dive in to the deep end of the startup world as our panelists share how they made the leap from Amazon, Microsoft and other big tech companies to make waves in the startup ecosystem. Some are founders, others left to be operators, or venture capital investors. Some even kept their day jobs and got involved using their expertise as angel investors. Join us as we navigate the water where innovation and expertise meets opportunity to chart a course in a new career in startups.

Moderators

Lindsay Randall

VP - Startup Banking, J.P. Morgan

Networking and building community is my superpower. My multifaceted experience in politics, nonprofits, and startups has honed my adaptability, networking, and strategic problem solving abilities. I've been a social entrepreneur building things for my entire career. I leverage my... Read More →

Speakers

Maria Hess

Head of Venture Platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

I am an operator, technology product builder, investor, and startup advisor. Leveraging my experience in GTM, I combine deep product and marketing expertise to successfully bring consumer and business software products to market. With success in startup idea validation/vetting, consumer... Read More →

Tee Podder

Venture Capital Investor, Trilogy Equity Partners

I am an investor with Trilogy Equity Partners, an early-stage venture firm based in Bellevue. With over 14+ years of experience spanning finance, software engineering and entrepreneurship, my investment focus lies on early-stage software companies located in the Pacific Northwest... Read More →

Priyanka Kulkarni

Entrepreneur in Residence, Allen Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI2)

Priyanka Kulkarni is the Founder and CEO of a stealth startup at the AI2 Incubator focusing on the development of human-AI collaboration technologies. She has over a decade of experience leading applied research teams at Microsoft Azure AI, MS Office, and Bing Ads where she published... Read More →

M.H. Lines

Co-founder and CEO, Stack Moxie

M.H. Lines is the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Stack Moxie, a trailblazer in automating the monitoring of revenue infrastructure and assisting teams with making their infrastructure “AI ready”. Under her leadership, Stack Moxie has emerged as a critical solution for enterprises... Read More →

Sponsors

J.P. Morgan

Committed to being the leading bank for founders, investors, startups and high-growth companies With decades of global experience, a robust professional and venture capital network, and scalable money-management solutions, we’re the only bank you’ll ever need. Our specialized... Read More →

Friday April 26, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
The Collective Seattle

Startups

10:30am PDT

Women at the Edge of AI

Join us for an engaging exploration of innovation and empowerment, where these visionary leaders navigate the ever-changing landscape of Artificial Intelligence. Through inspiring stories and thought-provoking discussions, discover how these trailblazers are shaping the future of AI with their ingenuity and expertise.

Moderators

Elizabeth Scallon

Director of Incubation Enablement, HP

Award winning leader in the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem. Elizabeth is a scientist, mentor, and 15 year leader in scientific and technological innovation.Known for a keen ability to locate disruptive and innovative technology, Elizabeth’s day job is the Director of Incubation... Read More →

Speakers

Miya McClain

VP Product Management, Executive Co-sponsor of Women and Gender Minorities ERG, Smartsheet

Miya is the VP of Product for the Experiences team at Smartsheet, which is focused on enabling customers to easily and effectively create, build, collaborate on, manage and find their solutions from anywhere. Over her nearly 20-year career Miya has led both engineering and PM teams... Read More →

Kelly Thompson

Global lead of AI ML & Data Training, Google Cloud

As the Global Lead of Curriculum Development at Google, I oversee the design and delivery of multiple complex learning programs, products, and strategies for the Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics portfolios. With over 10 years of experience in the AIML, Data... Read More →

Friday April 26, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Tesla

Tech Mavens

12:30pm PDT

Sustainable Horizons: Exploring ClimateTech Innovation and Startups

Groundbreaking startups are forging pathways towards a sustainable future. Explore the latest innovations, learn from industry leaders, and engage in thought-provoking discussions that amplify the role of entrepreneurship in addressing climate challenges. Be part of a community passionate about shaping a greener tomorrow.

Moderators

Andrea Learned

Climate Influencer, Advisor and Host, Living Change podcast

Speakers

Alma Cardenas

Cofounder, Business and Sustainability Strategy, Green Dominoes LLC

Cloud and AI technology professional helping organizations reap the value of digital innovation to achieve enterprise sustainability goals and adopt nature-positive business models. Functions as a business-technology liaison and catalyst of change and brings depth and breadth experience... Read More →

Dexter Turner

CEO, OpConnect

Dexter is the founder and CEO of OpConnect, Inc., an electric vehicle charging solutions company based in Portland, Oregon. He holds a MS in Aerospace Engineering and an MBA and is a serial entrepreneur, having founded two previous companies in the aviation industry. His previous... Read More →

Kim Martini

Founder and CEO, Tini Scientific

Kim is the founder and CEO of Tini Scientific. Armed with expertise in oceanography, ecology, technology and pop culture, we are creating new data sources and data pipelines with innovative low-cost sensor networks. We repurpose everyday technology to take, view and share data with... Read More →

Friday April 26, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Tesla

Climate Tech

12:30pm PDT

Building the Ship While Its Sailing: Navigating Life in Startups

Boats coming many sizes, from row boats and dinghies to behemoth cruise ships. When joining a startup, you are joining a team that is building the ship as it's sailing the high seas.

In this session, you'll hear unfiltered stories from a panel of startup operators and founders, sharing their wisdom on topics like: What should I expect when I join the crew of an early-stage startup? How is life in tech different at a startup? Where do I turn when my experience goes off track?

Moderators

Kayla Renz

Chief of Staff, First Row Partners

I recently joined First Row Partners, a pre-seed specialist venture firm, as their Chief of Staff. I am a deep generalist that loves taking on complex problems and transforming them into simple solutions.Prior to joining First Row, I spent 7 years at Flexport where I was the first... Read More →

Speakers

Brooke Steger

Co-founder & CEO, Yando

Brooke has been in Seattle tech for almost 20 years, working across multiple verticals and running teams across strategy, marketing, operations, data analytics, and product. She is currently the CEO of Yando, working to make the land purchase and sale process easy for those wanting... Read More →

Leslie Kincaid-Lawrence

Co-founder, Penknife Collective

I provide services to establish and grow HR & Workplace functions for small businesses or start-ups that are not ready for full-time hires. My experience will help founders and leadership establish simple and effective structure and processes that will scale to their next phase/inflection... Read More →

Kiesha Garrison

Founder & CEO, Hey, Black Seattle!

Kiesha Garrison is the Founder & CEO of Hey, Black Seattle!, a company that supports people of the African diaspora in finding the cultural experiences and community resources they need to thrive while living in the Seattle area. With a 20+ year career that spans technology, media... Read More →

Sponsors

J.P. Morgan

Friday April 26, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
The Collective Seattle

Startups

2:30pm PDT

Launch It Broken, Fix It Live: Put the Life Vest On and Jump!

As the saying goes, “Perfect is the enemy of the good.”

Hear from a panel of entrepreneurs & executives sharing their stories of launching their companies. How did they identify what was “good enough” for launch, and what would they do differently? There will always be something to “fix” or improve, so why wait? Jump in, the water feels fine.

Moderators

Sarah Studer

Chief Storyteller, TrueMedia.Org

Sarah Studer, is the Chief Storyteller at TrueMedia.Org, a non-partisan AI project combating disinformation in political campaigns by identifying manipulated media. Previously, she was the Director of Platform and Operations at Techstars Seattle Accelerator, supporting 60 early-stage... Read More →

Speakers

Shauna Causey

Co-Founder, WEEKDAYS

Amish Patel

Founder, Managing Director, Conduit Venture Labs

Driven by creating "new ways of doing" by enabling new foundations of human-computer understanding. My expertise is in shepherding new technology concepts and innovations that live at the intersection of physical and digital.After three startup leadership roles as CPO, VP Technology... Read More →

Julie Pham, PhD

CEO, CuriosityBased

Dr. Julie Pham is the founder and the CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm based in Seattle. Dr. Pham has been recognized with numerous awards for her community leadership. She has applied her community building approach to building strong, collaborative and curious teams. She was born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Seattl... Read More →

Friday April 26, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Tesla

Startups

2:30pm PDT

Polishing Your Pitch: Will Require Elbow Grease

Like a brass porthole polished to a high shine, learn how to build and refine your pitch. Personal, product, services, and investment pitches all require a well crafted, compelling, and concise story reflecting your authenticity and passion. Learn how to bring your pitch to life!

Moderators

Yoko Okano

Founding Partner, First Row Partners

Speakers

Bei-Jing Guo

Member of Investment Board, VentureUs

Bei-Jing Guo is currently a LP and a member of the VentureUs Investment Board . Guo spent 20+ years leading product management at Microsoft and Amazon. Guo led product development on various Microsoft Enterprise products and ran Amazon Web Services S3 storage business. After founding... Read More →

Dan Kihanya

Director of Path Ahead Ventures, REI

Passion for mentoring the early entrepreneur. Experience across varied perspectives of start-up ecosystem: co-founder, early executive, investor, and advisor. Specialties include: early stage start-up strategies, fundraising, lean startup process, product-market fit, customer growth... Read More →

Anna Fuller

Founder, Halo

🚀 Repeat founder, 🛍️ e-commerce expert, 🐥 toddler mom, 🏃‍♀️ marathoner, 🏔️ PNW explorer--* Currently - Founder of Halo. We're building the future of AI x e-commerce. Our initial wedge is as a curated weekly shopping companion for new moms. Sign up for texts... Read More →

Sponsors

J.P. Morgan

Friday April 26, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
The Collective Seattle

Startups

4:15pm PDT

👟 Walky Talky

Speakers

Melody Biringer

Founder, WiT Regatta

Friday April 26, 2024 4:15pm - 6:00pm PDT
The Collective Seattle

Walky Talky

TBA

Pop-Up 1:1 Coaching — Smooth Sailing Starts Here

Participants will have the opportunity to book a free coaching session with certified professional coaches. Individuals can book a 25-minute session and get coaching on any topic. Common topics include setting boundaries, self-advocacy in the workplace, handling challenging conversations, advocating to lead a project or get a promotion, or dreaming about the next step in your career. Non-work topics like personal relationships, finances, family, health and fitness, and friends are welcome too.

Coaches don’t problem-solve or give advice; rather, they help you draw on your inner wisdom and figure out who you want to be and what you want to do.

Speakers

Anne Turnbull

Director, Business Operations, Highspot

Certified Executive Coach dedicated to empowering leaders to achieve their full potential. With a proven track record of guiding individuals and teams toward peak performance, I specialize in unlocking untapped capabilities, fostering leadership development, and navigating career... Read More →

Anu Arora

Founder and Owner, Infinite Potential Leadership

Atika Scott De Martinville

Leadership Coach, Phd, PCC, CPCC, Atika Scott Coaching

With over 18 years of corporate experience, Atika brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her coaching practice, specializing in transformative leadership development grounded in scientific principles. She believes that effective leadership starts with self-awareness, guiding clients... Read More →

Caitlin Goldbaum

Talent Development Partner, Smartsheet

As a facilitator, coach, and learning & development professional, I approach my work through a social justice lens with a commitment to equity. My mission is to remove barriers of access and increase representation in the tech industry. A dynamic presenter, I have a particular strength... Read More →

Erica Goos, PCC & Coach Supervisor

Leadership Development & Executive Coach, Erica Goos Coaching

Erica Goos is a leadership development and executive coach.In her previous career, as a therapist, she was intimately involved with helping people develop. This experience gave her a deep understanding of what helps people grow and change. With this foundational understanding, it... Read More →

Karvi Ojha

Principal Human Resources Business Partner, Amazon

Be the BEST you!I love working with women to help them bring together mental, emotional and physical balance in their life. Meet me to find a nurturing space where you can discover yourself. I will help you embrace your potential and achieve lasting fulfillment by breaking your barriers... Read More →

Kim Kamolz

Leadership Coach, Elevation Consulting and Coaching

Kimberly Kamolz is a SeattleCoach certified and ICF accredited coach who works with people just like you who have goals in mind but aren’t sure how to reach them. Kim brings an authentic interest in you and your endeavors, asks thoughtful questions to help you determine your path... Read More →

Marriot Winquist

CEO, Certified Executive Coach and Business Strategy Consultant, BrightTree Consulting LLC

My approach: curiosity, humility, and drive. And a healthy dose of humor.I partner with executives to increase their strategic impact without compromising excellence, authenticity, or joy. As a seasoned executive in the technology industry with over 20 years of experience leading... Read More →

Peyina Lin-Roberts

Executive Leadership, Organizational Culture Development Coach & Consultant, Reap-n-Leap Coaching & Consulting

I have been coaching for over 8 years, first as a behavior change group coach, and later, as an executive and inclusive leadership coach. Reflecting on their period of coaching with me, clients have said my coaching has revealed hidden assumptions and underlying truths, evoked new... Read More →

Sharmin Banu

Executive coach, Greenleaf leadership coaching

Sharmin has 25+ years of experience as a technology professional and an executive coach.Managed a quality assurance engineering team and local and offshore stakeholders for a top software company.Since 2009, coached senior leaders in Fortune 500 and C-level in startups. Uses emotional... Read More →

Tamir Hasan

Coach, Own Your Own Solution LLC

Tamir Hasan PCC is a Seattle, Washington, coach, author, facilitator, and mediator. He is also the founder of Own Your Own Solution LLC. Drawing from 14 years of software development experience, Tamir quickly identifies patterns and root causes. This experience helps him work with... Read More →

Tiffany Dedeaux

Tech Career Coach, Sacred Time

As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with 15+ years of empowering purpose-driven professionals to work outside the box of buildings, expectations, and routines to redefine what is possible, Tiffany partners with leaders across the technology, consulting, sales, marketing, and design... Read More →

Viviane Lopuch, Ed.D, ACC

Executive Coach and Consultant, Lopuch Consulting

Viviane Lopuch, founder of Lopuch Consulting, brings over 25 years of comprehensive industry experience spanning sales, marketing, and finance to her leadership and communication consulting practice. Viviane is deeply committed to helping people become better leaders, guiding individuals... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 TBA
Amazon Day One

Adapt & Thrive

10:30am PDT

Anchors Aweigh: Proactive Techniques to Take Charge of Your Career Journey — Supported by Parametric

We take many voyages in life, and a career's path plays a key role. Join us for a discussion jam-packed with practical insights and actionable strategies to propel you forward! Learn how to forge meaningful connections, tap into company resources like a pro, and cultivate a growth mindset that sets you up for success. Discover the power of mentorship and how to make it work for you, and find your voice in the workplace. Let's tackle the tough questions and uncover the secrets to unlocking your full potential. It's time to take charge of your career and pave the way for a bright future!

Let's kick off this day of coaching by tackling the big Qs:

Building and Sustaining Connections: Strategies for networking effectively and nurturing professional relationships throughout your career journey.
Maximizing Company Resources: Identifying and leveraging available resources within your organization to enhance skills, knowledge, and career development.
Developing the Right Mindset: Shifting from simply 'doing the job' to proactively seeking opportunities for growth and advancement.
Mentorship Matters: Finding the right mentor and mastering the art of being a successful mentee to accelerate career progress.
Seeking Help and Advice: Techniques for seeking assistance and leveraging valuable feedback to drive personal and professional growth.

Moderators

Gary Hale

Employee Experience Manager, Morgan Stanley

Gary Kendall Kalima Hale has been a cross-functional leader and program manager specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for 15+ years. He has led DEI programs and culture change for organizations of up to 1,500 employees in multiple industries: tech, finance, government... Read More →

Speakers

Mary Panza

Director - Development Services, Parametric Portfolio Associates

Mary has filled a variety of roles in software development teams during her career. She enjoys finding ways to bring efficiency and visibility to just about any process, using Agile methods even before she knew what Agile was. She currently works for a Seattle area financial services... Read More →

Maricel Medina

Senior Solutions Consultant, Smartsheet

Maricel joined Smartsheet in 2019 and has been a highly accomplished Sr. Consultant, specializing in driving product reality and demonstrating unparalleled expertise. Because of her deep understanding of the platform's capabilities, Maricel has received two awards during her tenure... Read More →

Kaitlyn Bolen

Talent Management Leader, Smartsheet

Kaitlyn Bolen is a Senior Manager of Talent Management at Smartsheet. She supports a team that drives performance management and career development programs, with a key focus on supporting employees' growth and development. More recently, her team rolled out a new career development... Read More →

Sponsors

Parametric Portfolio Associates

Leaders in direct indexing and other custom solutions for more than 30 years.Parametric partners with advisors, institutions, and consultants to build portfolios focused on what’s important to them and their clients.We continue to innovate and build on a history of helping investors access efficient market exposures, solve implementation challenges, and design portfolios that respond to investors... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Career Acumen

10:30am PDT

Hoodies, Tik Tok and Password123

Have you ever wondered...
Should I care who sees my data?
Why are so many companies getting hacked?
How can I protect myself better online?
What does a cyber security professional do?</li><li>Who makes the ideal hacker?
Come join our conversation and ask everything you've always wanted to know about the field of cyber security.

Moderators

Tamara Bonaci

Assistant Teaching Professor, Northeastern University

Speakers

Jessica Ferguson

Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Jessica is a Managing Director of Risk Assurance at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she helps leaders prioritize and understand technical risk for the global financial services firm. She has 20 plus years of experience in IT and information security, spanning security architecture, incident... Read More →

Nicole Darden Ford

Senior Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Nordstrom

Nicole Darden Ford is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for Nordstrom, Inc. As thecompany’s cybersecurity leader, Nicole is entrusted to protect enterprise technology assets with scalable, future- ready platforms that enable the business. She is also responsible... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Tech Mavens

12:30pm PDT

Glow Up Your Job Search: Stand Out to Recruiters

Unlock new tactics for catching recruiters' eyes and standing out in today's job hunt. Our experts will share tips on networking smarter, showcasing your strengths, and making a memorable impression. Prepare to enhance your job search game and increase your chances of landing the perfect role!

Moderators

Ellen Schroeter

Senior Principal Recruiter, GEICO

Strategic and insightful Talent Acquisition professional focused on building and developing high performing engineering teams while maintaining successful and meaningful partnerships with candidates, business leaders and relevant stakeholders. As someone who was laid off and took... Read More →

Speakers

Linh Ho

VP Growth Marketing, ServiceNow

Linh is a marketing and sales executive with strong background in B2B Tech. She is a serial scale up marketing leader who's not afraid to roll up her sleeves. She has a track record in building and retaining global high performing teams, designing GTM strategies, and elevating corporate... Read More →

Genevieve Barlow

Sr. Principal Recruiter, GEICO

With 13 years of experience in recruiting I am passionate about helping others grow their careers. I believe in building lasting relationships and treating candidates and job seekers with the respect they deserve. I understand that any job search is an emotional journey so I make... Read More →

Nikita Gupta

Co-Founder, Careerflow.ai

Introducing Nikita, a seasoned professional who's worn many hats, from engineering and analysis to talent recruitment. With experience at tech giants like Uber and AWS, she's honed her skills in the industry. But her journey didn't stop there. Faced with her own job search challenges... Read More →

Lawrence A. Lucas

Technical Recruiter, Experis

As a Senior Recruiter with 6 years of experience in my field, I managed the full recruitment life cycle for a range of technical and sales roles, from software engineers, Data Scientists and Machine Learning engineers, to Account Executives, Customer Success Managers and Sales Development... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Career Acumen

12:30pm PDT

True & Courageous Allyship: Be a Better Ally, All the Time, Every Day — Supported by Astound Broadband

What does it mean to be an ally in 2024? It is imperative to leverage our positions for the sake of our underrepresented colleagues, employees, customers, and more. During this session our panel will discuss ways to deepen your allyship through standing WITH , and how to stand firm in making your allyship visible.

Moderators

Christina Holding

Head of Marketing, Third Stone New Rising Sun Bumbershoot

Christina is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Marketing, leveraged for her expertise in building teams, brands, and products that address actual, current, and future customer challenges through the power of storytelling. Her background covers global corporations, SMBs, indie startups... Read More →

Speakers

Matthew Sunday

Director and Chief Engineer | Avionics Engineering, Boeing

Bio is coming soon.

Dharmesh Thakkar

Senior Software Development Manager, Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS), Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Technically grounded & business savvy engineering leader with over 15 years of experience in different aspects of software design and development. My entrepreneurial mindset and passion for strategy enable macro-level, long-term thinking and has empowered my contributions to product... Read More →

Austin Johnson

Services Executive, Highspot

Austin Johnson is a results-oriented professional with a proven track record in driving business growth and fostering client success. With a diverse background spanning technology implementations, strategic partnerships, and customer relationship management, Austin brings a wealth... Read More →

Nirankush Panchbhai

Senior Vice President, Product Management, Now Platform, ServiceNow

Nirankush “Kush” Panchbhai is Senior Vice President, Product Management, Platform at ServiceNow. He leads the company’s efforts to deliver a scalable, secure, intuitive platform to enable customers’ digital transformation. The key innovations help customers easily build powerful... Read More →

Sponsors

Astound Business Solutions

Monday April 29, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Inclusive Culture

12:30pm PDT

Climate Career Stroll: A Walking Dialogue on Sustainability Innovation

LET’S GO FOR A “CLIMATE WALKY TALKY” TOGETHER.

The goal is simple: To move your body to fuel your mind, connect more fully with yourself—and others—by connecting with the world outside. Studies show you’re twice as creative while out walking as you are slumped behind your desk. And you need those big ideas to make the most of your big life.

We are adding a climate twist to our signature Walky Talky event by adding three climate leaders into the mix.
Let's talk about moving the needle faster, building sector leadership, and opportunities for everyone in climate tech.

How this works: 👟 We pair you with other walkers and leaders and as you walk you talk!

The goal is simple: To move your body to fuel your mind, connect more fully with yourself—and others—by connecting with the world outside. Studies show you’re twice as creative while out walking as you are slumped behind your desk. And you need those big ideas to make the most of your big life.

Rain or Shine ☂️☀️

Speakers

Drew Wilkinson

Founder and Consultant, Climate Leadership Collective

I work for Planet Earth but provide consulting services for employee engagement through the Climate Leadership Collective, helping organizations make sustainability part of everybody's job. I work with employers to create top-down programming to engage the entire workforce in sustainability... Read More →

Sarah O'Sell

Principal Consultant, Founder, Anim8 Collective

Sarah O’Sell is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Anim8 Collective. She is a technology, communications, and circular economy strategist focused on investment, curiosity, and stewardship to shape future realities. She is an award-winning, ambitious systems innovator with over... Read More →

Nivi Achanta

Founder & CEO, Soapbox Project

This world is a scary place to grow up in. What if it didn't have to be?What if we tackled the climate crisis, public health challenges, societal injustices, and other global problems by centering joy?This is the big question of my life: how can we live our best lives with our best... Read More →

Andrea Learned

Climate Influencer, Advisor and Host, Living Change podcast

Linsey Nancarrow

Creative Director of Sustainable Innovation, Indigo Slate

Linsey Nancarrow is a pioneering force in the emerging field of Climate Innovation, adapting design thinking methodologies to generate cutting-edge sustainability solutions. With an energetic and joyful approach, Linsey is an emerging leader known for her insightful storytelling and... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 12:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Walky Talky

2:30pm PDT

Navigating Change: Resilience and Adaptation in Tech — Supported by AWS

Explore the emotional and professional challenges of navigating layoffs and restructuring in the tech industry in this fireside chat. Gain insights from personal stories on building resilience, maintaining a growth mindset, and the importance of continuous learning and networking. This session provides strategies and encouragement for those navigating their own paths through change, emphasizing how challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and success in the tech world.

Moderators

Jane Bove

Principal Program Manager, Microsoft - Experience and Devices Division

I'm a passionate ally and driver of cultural change and believe in technology to power growth, and people to ensure inclusion.

Speakers

Yingti Liao

Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon

As a Senior Software Engineer at Amazon with 8+ years of experience in tech industry, I bring expertise in global platform services and ML-based systems. My journey across Japan and Canada has shaped a leadership style focused on inspiring others with an open mindset. I am passionate... Read More →

Shweta Joshi

Software Development Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Bio is coming soon.

Courtney Harris

Product Manager, Microsoft

I am a recent graduate of the University of New Orleans and a first year Product Manager in Windows Product at Microsoft.On top of finding opportunities to improve the Windows Product business, I have interest in the intersection of art and technology, climate tech, and startups... Read More →

Adrianna Brown

Software Engineer, Microsoft

Sponsors

AWS

Monday April 29, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Adapt & Thrive

2:30pm PDT

You're Not Alone — How to Navigate and Support Neurodivergence in the Workplace

The most innovative high-performing teams utilize cognitive diversity, and yet the world of work is usually designed for a neurotypical brain. Come learn about how neurodivergent employees contribute the best, and how managers can draw on those strengths for a more inclusive workforce. Our wonderful panelists will help you to discover the skills, strategies, and systems that increase productivity, profits, employee retention, and a nurturing workplace where everyone thrives. Whether you're an employee seeking support, or a manager looking to better support your team members, this workshop on neuro-inclusion is for you!

Moderators

Shana Cordon

Founder, The Moxy Lab

Shana Cordon is the founder of The Moxy Lab. Under Shana’s leadership, executives and teams learn to listen intelligently, communicate artfully, and collaborate expertly. For over 20 years, she has implemented programs in the Global Fortune 500, in educational institutions, and... Read More →

Speakers

Brett Greene

CEO & ADHD Coach, New Tech Northwest

Brett Greene is the award-winning Founder of the New Tech Northwest community of 60,000+ technologists and the Atomic ADHD online community. He is also an ADHD coach who has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and almost 20 years of experience coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs... Read More →

Ashlea Elliott

CEO, Ashlea A Elliott Consulting

Ashlea Elliott is a strategic inclusion architect who specializes in the design, development, and implementation of exponential breakthrough sustainable business innovations to address the world’s most complex and intractable problems.She is a disruptor by nature, training, and... Read More →

Vanessa Laughlin

Vanessa’s 20-year professional background spans strategy development, implementation planning, business process improvement, product marketing, technology implementations, organizational design, and change management. Through the founding of Banister Advisors, LLC in 2018, her passion... Read More →

Linda Hyland

Linda Hyland is a queer solo-immigrant from Tunisia, a single mom, and former military spouse who launched Kitsap Community Network, a community organization focused on connecting Kitsap residents with the communities that can help support them. As she is getting back into the world... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Adapt & Thrive

4:30pm PDT

Power from the Margins: How Inclusive Teams Build Better Tech — Supported by AWS

Discover how to confidently share your ideas, challenge assumptions, and contribute to meaningful discussions. Gain insights into overcoming barriers and biases that can hinder effective collaboration. By embracing diversity and promoting inclusive practices, you'll unlock the full potential of your team's creativity and problem-solving abilities. This session discusses the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and heard.

Moderators

Emily Randazzo

Head of Lead Management Service, Amazon Web Services

Emily is an AWS product leader focused on accelerating revenue with ML/GenAI-assisted technology. She is passionate about leading teams with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband, two daughters, and two golden retrievers.

Speakers

Kendra Neil

Software Development Engineer II, Amazon Web Services

Diya Wynn

Responsible AI Lead, Amazon Web Services

Sponsors

AWS

Monday April 29, 2024 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Inclusive Culture

4:30pm PDT

Tech Career Reflections and Stories

During this session inspiring women in tech will share our panelist journeys, what characteristics got them moving ahead into the roles they are in today, and what advice they have for someone who wants to advance, is trying to crack through some invisible boundary or ceiling, or may want to shift into another area of tech or even another industry into a tech career.

Moderators

Alicia Crank

Executive Director, Seattle CityClub

Alicia Crank is the Executive Director of Seattle CityClub, a nonprofit organization improving the civic health of the Puget Sound region by providing programs that bridge politics, sectors, and generations to inform and engage residents and community leaders. Alicia has worked in... Read More →

Speakers

Shemyla Anwar

VP and Head of Engineering, Geico

Shemyla Anwar is currently the VP and Head of Engineering at Exchange Hub and Marketplace with over 18 years of diverse experience in software engineering and management across industry titans Microsoft, Amazon, and Expedia. Previously, as a Senior Director at Expedia Group, delivering... Read More →

Meagan Colbenson

Vice President of Technology, Nordstrom

Since being promoted to VP of Technology at Nordstrom in 2019, I have supported many technology teams, including the Enterprise Customer Platform, Customer Care Technology, Enterprise Order Management, Styling Experience, and full Trunk Club technology teams. I currently support Nordstrom's... Read More →

Laurinda Bellinger

Sr. Technical Project Manager, Blue Origin

I can see and touch mechanical engineering problems.𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐈 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃?As a teenager, I loved science fiction. When I learned about engineers and what they do, I wanted to be one.I focused on mechanical engineering, emphasizing systems and controls and... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 4:30pm - 6:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Leadership

6:15pm PDT

👟 Walky Talky — Let's Walk to The Collective |

Did you notice? Our last session of the day is a few blocks away! Let's gather and walk together to the next event! This walk is best recommended for those who take public transport and do not need to move a parked car.

LET’S GO FOR A “WALKY TALKY” TOGETHER. 👟 We pair you with other walkers to help each other unstick something about their professional or personal lives. Nothing’s off limits here.

The goal is simple: To move your body to fuel your mind, connect more fully with yourself—and others—by connecting with the world outside. Studies show you’re twice as creative while out walking as you are slumped behind your desk. And you need those big ideas to make the most of your big life.

Rain or Shine ☂️☀️

Monday April 29, 2024 6:15pm - 7:00pm PDT
Amazon Day One

Walky Talky

7:00pm PDT

Dent x Regatta: Let's Talk Women Entrepreneurs in AI + AI Startup Showcase & Reception

Women in Tech Regatta is teaming up with Dent to bring our distinctive 'Regatta' vibe to this event!
Event starts 6:30 pm (and yes, all Regatta attendees are welcome!). Our talk on Women Entrepreneurs in AI will take place from 7 pm to 7:30 pm.

Explore more | Dent:AI Startup Showcase Reception
If you want to gather with the founders of some of the most innovative AI startups in Seattle, along with investors who are supporting these new ventures, join us at the Dent:AI reception and startup showcase, from 6:00–9:30 PM on April 29th at The Collective, a beautiful private club in the heart of South Lake Union.

We’ll have demo tables set up throughout the reception, where you’ll have a chance to engage with some of the top AI startups and entrepreneurs from around the region. You’ll come away with a firsthand look at what’s in development across the world of Seattle-area AI innovation today.

In addition, an exclusive series of talks will be held at the reception. Kicking off at 6:00 PM, these sessions promise to illuminate the vast landscape of AI, presented by key pioneers and thought leaders in the field.

🔴 6:00 to 6:30pm
AI Beyond ChatGPT with Kyle Kesterson
In this talk, Kyle Kesterson will delve into the expansive world of AI, highlighting its potential beyond current applications. Leveraging his expertise in creative AI tools, he'll discuss the transformative impact of AI across sectors, emphasizing ethical development and AI's role in augmenting human creativity. Kyle's experience, from AI in storytelling to enhancing communication, showcases the broader possibilities of AI technology

🔴 6:30 to 7:00pm
The Business Case for AI with Boaz Askenazi
Boaz Ashkenazy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Simply Augmented, and is an emerging voice on the future of work and leveraging AI into businesses operations. Boaz will discuss how AI is no longer just a technological innovation; it’s quickly becoming a business necessity. Attendees will learn why companies will need to develop dual AI strategies—both business and technology—that embed AI into the very fabric of their organizations in order to survive.

🔴 7:00 to 7:30pm
Women Entrepreneurs in AI: Hosted by the Seattle Women in Tech Regatta
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on managing AI ventures with practical insights from people actually building in it.

Our experts, led by moderator Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek, CEO of Clarity AI, who builds AI and data solutions for SMB and enterprise. As the host of the "Your AI Roadmap Podcast," Joan frequently speaks to people working in the changing tech landscape.

Speakers of this panel include Nikita Gupta and Erin Reddick.

Nikita Gupta is the COO and Co-Founder of Careerflow.ai, who raised their pre-seed round in 2023. Nikita is a seasoned tech recruiter with experience at Uber and AWS. She is also a career influencer with 320k+ social media followers.

Erin Reddick is the Founder of ChatBlackGPT. Formerly having worked at AWS, Meta, and Microsoft, her current work focused on an inclusive AI chatbot that offers deep insights into Black, African American history and culture.

This event is part of the Women in Tech Regatta, dedicated to driving innovation, diversity, and connectivity in the tech industry. Join us for actionable advice from the forefront of AI!

🔴 7:30 to 9:30pm
Reception
Join us to mix, mingle, and make connections among AI startups and related professionals.
In addition, Dent’s official sommelier, Greg Kisor, will work with the club’s bar, High Tide, to select the wines available for pour at the reception. If wine is not your thing, don’t worry! The bar will be open and will also serve beer, soda, and mixed drinks throughout the evening.

Space is limited, so please RSVP in Sched to secure your spot.

About Dent:
For over a decade, Dent the Future has been bringing curious, adventurous, and diverse professionals together to explore new approaches to thinking and push you to breakthrough ideas and new insights.

Speakers

Erin Reddick

Joan Palmiter Bajorek

CEO and Founder, Clarity AI

Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek is an Entrepreneur, Influencer, and Investor. Her career moves the needle for Technical and Social Innovation.--Once upon a time, Joan was a PhD student with big dreams. She LOVED linguistics, data, and storytelling. In her PhD comps papers, she uncovered... Read More →

Nikita Gupta

Co-Founder, Careerflow.ai

Sponsors

Dent

We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Dent is an invite-only community and annual conference for people who feel compelled to make a difference. We bring curious, adventurous, and diverse professionals like you together to explore new approaches to thinking and push you to... Read More →

Monday April 29, 2024 7:00pm - 9:30pm PDT
The Collective Seattle

Connection Engineer Events

10:30am PDT

Embracing Calm: A Journey to Mindful Living @The Center for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley St)

Location:
The Center for Wooden Boats
1010 Valley St, Seattle, WA 98109 (google map link)

There is true power in slowing down and reflecting on what is important. Being busy is no longer a badge of honor. The race down to burnout has lost its luster. But how do we maintain and deepen this newfound wisdom? During this interactive experiential workshop learn what it feels like to truly slow down, embody the importance of maintaining personal energetic boundaries, and come away with practical methods for confidently embracing mindful living. Optional: Bring a journal and a pen or pencil for a reflection exercise.

Speakers

Janice Lichtenwaldt

Executive Coach, Virago Coaching

Certified as a Professional Co-Active Coach®, Janice partners with individuals and organizations to focus on emotional intelligence, deepened self-awareness, collaborative leadership, and building authentic confidence.Prior to launching her coaching practice, Janice enjoyed a 25-year... Read More →

Christina Weber

Leadership Coach, Christina Weber Coaching

Christina Weber is a Certified Professional Co-Active® Coach with an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) designation through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as well as Dare to Lead© trained. With 25 years of corporate experience and a graduate of the University of Washington... Read More →

Tuesday April 30, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
The Center for Wooden Boats

Regatta Retreat

10:30am PDT

Ikigai: Finding Purpose at Work and Beyond

How can a 1,000 year old Japanese concept improve your professional performance and personal well-being? Ikigai, interpreted as "your reason for being," has been scientifically linked to longevity, productivity, creativity, and happiness. Learn the key tenets of this wisdom tradition, the connection to modern day positive psychology, and actionable steps to implement ikigai into your daily life.

Moderators

Sam Ushio

Founder, Ikigai Lab

Sam Ushio is the Founder of Ikigai Lab, where he leads the vision, strategy, and delivery of ikigai systems. As the world's first Chief Ikigai Officer, Sam fuses a powerful combination of 10,000+ hours of Ikigai experience and 20 years of corporate experience to support the design... Read More →

Tuesday April 30, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
The Center for Wooden Boats

Regatta Retreat

12:15pm PDT

Navigating Hustle, Wellness and Thrive Cultures — Supported by Vivid Presents

Discover a more fulfilling life by navigating the trends of Hustle, Wellness, and Thrive Cultures! Join us for a 1-hour workshop where you'll explore the differences between these cultural movements and how they impact personal fulfillment and well-being. Through guided reflections and group discussion, you'll learn how to strike a balance between drive, self-care, and purpose. Drawing inspiration from Japanese philosophies like Ikigai and Wabi-sabi, you'll uncover a path to a more balanced and meaningful life. Led by expert facilitator Jody Ramsammy, take away key insights and continue your journey of self-discovery. Don't miss this opportunity to thrive!

Moderators

Jody Ramsammy

CEO, Vivid Presents/On the HIYU/Cafe Racer

Jody Ramsammy, CEO of On The Hiyu, LLC, is a visionary leader with over 25 years of unparalleled expertise in Consumer Technology, Enterprise Architecture, SAAS, Cloud, and Partnerships, rooted in South Africa.Throughout his illustrious career, Jody has held pivotal roles with industry... Read More →

Speakers

Alisa Galper

Singer & Sound Weaver

Alisa Galper (高以愛) is a bilingual vocalist and musician who writes for English and Chinese audiences. Born into a Los Angeles family with Jewish and Taiwanese heritage. Her professional career exploded after she appeared on “One Million Star Idol/超級星光大道” (Taiwan’s... Read More →

Caroline Yap

Sponsors

Vivid Presents

At Vivid Presents, we believe that experience and community are everything. That's why we're dedicated to crafting unforgettable events that bring people together through a shared love of dance music. Our team of industry veterans has a passion for creating intimate and memorable... Read More →

Tuesday April 30, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
The Center for Wooden Boats

Regatta Retreat

12:15pm PDT

Climbing Mount Everest: Self-leadership and Assembling Your Crew

In this session, participants will hear from a diverse and intergenerational panel of ambitious women who hold different roles of leadership in their (tech) organizations. Panelists will each share how they define and practice self-leadership, approach fear/risk, and make decisions about career transitions. As part of sharing their own stories of "climbing Mount Everest," panelists will also offer insights about how they find and build relationships with a personal board of advisors (aka their mountain climbing crew).

Moderators

Anu Arora

Founder and Owner, Infinite Potential Leadership

Speakers

Simmone Misra

Customer and Partner Success Lead, Microsoft

Currently, I am in Azure Communication Services engineering org leading our customer and GSI partner team. I thrive on the thrill of working within the triad of technology, business and legal. My adventures have spanned across software, firmware, hardware, gaming, intellectual property... Read More →

Mudita Nigam

Engineering leader, Amazon

Experienced in Software Development; Offering 14+ years of overall experience and 9+ years of success in Managing & leading all phases of core technology projects involving requirements gathering, software development and quality assurance.

April McCormick

Flight Test Engineering Analysis Unit Chief, Boeing

Hello, I'm currently the Senior Manager for Flight Test Engineering Analysis at The Boeing Company. My team’s mission is to safely and efficiently provide flight and ground test data to design engineering in support of type certification, product development, and in-service investigations... Read More →

Tuesday April 30, 2024 12:15pm - 1:45pm PDT
The Center for Wooden Boats

Regatta Retreat

2:00pm PDT

CO-STORM: A Think Tank Designed To Be Your Personal Board of Directors For Life and Work — Supported by GEICO

Location:
The Center for Wooden Boats
1010 Valley St, Seattle, WA 98109 (google map link)

WHAT IS A CO-STORM? The CO-STORM™ is a think tank designed to be your personal board of directors for life and work.

The success of the CO-STORM relies in part on YOU.

The concept behind the CO-STORM is about how much we’re able to see for each other that we don’t see for ourselves.

Fresh eyes see our blind spots and filters. They also mirror back to us what’s really going on. There’s a creative back and forth energy in getting outside your own head. A CO-STORMER’S insight can clarify what steps to take next, highlight your strengths, and make you pay attention to what should happen naturally.

WHAT THE SESSION LOOKS LIKE:
We start the session with an introduction to CO-STORMING, instructions, and an overview of our time together. Then we pair you off in groups of three or four. Your group will go off for a 90-minute CO-STORM session. During this session, each participant will have time for an introduction and a chance to discuss their most pressing pain point, project, or idea. Your CO-STORM partners will brainstorm with you on solutions. In the end, we will gather together and recap.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?
Bring your challenges, ideas, prototypes…or just an empty notebook, and get ready to take the next step.

You will get new perspectives and confidence to move forward with your project, which might mean ditching plans and go in a totally different direction. No matter the outcome, we guarantee you will already be taking steps in the right direction.

I truly believe we’ve got great energy going in our community you’re not going to find anywhere else…hitch a ride on that energy! - Melody Biringer

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Want to change careers but don’t know where to start?
What’s keeping you up at night?
I have been helping others all my life, it’s time for me now, what should i do?
How can I be more creative at work, when I’m not the one calling the shots?
How can I refine and tell my story?
Fleshing out a side hustle/passion project.
How are you unique – what sets you apart?
Have you hit a serious plateau?

Speakers

Jeff Jirsa

Technology, Infrastructure, Databases, GEICO

Apache Cassandra Committer / PMCBuilding scalable data platforms

Peter Tang

Director of Engineering, Geico

Sultan Ansari

Senior Director of Engineering, GEICO

My core strengths lie in setting technical goals and strategies, executing design and roadmap plans, fostering cross-functional collaboration, nurturing talent development, and making data-driven decisions based on key metrics. I have a proven track record of successfully building... Read More →

Shemyla Anwar

VP and Head of Engineering, Geico

Genevieve Barlow

Sr. Principal Recruiter, GEICO

Ellen Schroeter

Senior Principal Recruiter, GEICO

Melody Biringer

Founder, WiT Regatta

Sponsors

Geico

For more than 75 years, GEICO has stood out from the rest of the insurance industry! We are one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing auto insurers thanks to our low rates, outstanding service and clever marketing. We're an industry leader employing thousands of dedicated and... Read More →

Tuesday April 30, 2024 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
The Center for Wooden Boats

Regatta Retreat

4:15pm PDT

Closing Party @The Hiyu Boat on South Lake Union

Please note that while this event is graciously hosted by the Hiyu, attendees are responsible for purchasing food and drinks from the onboard Food Truck and No Host Bar. Get ready to enjoy a memorable celebration on the water!

After an energy-filled Regatta of connections, storytelling, mentorship, and idea-sharing, let's take to the water!
Join us in celebrating with a 'treat yourself' afternoon filled with energizing events, relationship-building, and fun! This is not the end, but rather the beginning of your next chapter.

Hosted by the Hiyu - a floating venue on Lake Union. We will begin with a Relaxing Sound Bath then seamlessly transition into gentle movements and the dance party will commence! We encourage you to play and move with complete freedom with our curated vibes and be reminded to feel alive.

P.S. We are staying at the dock, so you can come and go as you please.

Sponsors

Hiyu

On the Hiyu is a unique floating venue for corporate events, ticketed events and private parties – A fully functioning iconic ferry boat that sails on the waters Lake Union, Lake Washington and Puget Sound, Seattle WA.Your guests will enjoy a one of a kind experience on this large... Read More →

San Juan Seltzer

The inspiration for San Juan Seltzer happened during a girl’s weekend at my family home in the San Juan Islands. As the sun set, we enjoyed the stunning beauty of the Salish Sea and sipped on low-calorie sparkling cocktails. In this moment, I was filled with a desire to share this... Read More →

Vivid Presents

Tuesday April 30, 2024 4:15pm - 6:00pm PDT
On the Hiyu

BOAT PARTY

6:00pm PDT

Poker Night 🃏 Networking & Navigating the Cards with Women Founders & Funders

Ahoy, all ye Regatta attendees, Seattle's brightest entrepreneurs, and daring venture capitalists! We're teaming up with Women Founders & Funders for an epic Poker Night! Join us for an evening of cards, where everyone from beginners to pros can join in the fun. It's gonna be a laid-back and social affair, with plenty of poker tips and tricks for those who need 'em. So mark your calendars and get ready for a night of friendly competition and good times!

Btw this is a no-cash game.

Speakers

Martina Welkhoff

Founding Partner, Goldenrod Ventures

Martina is an entrepreneur at heart. She founded her first startup over a decade ago in mobile gaming and after exiting that, she went on to found a VR production studio called ConveneVR.5+ years Board President of Women in Tech (Seattle), member of the Washington Technology Association... Read More →

Jen Haller

Partner and Chief of Staff, Ascend

I’m Jen Haller, Partner and Chief of Staff. You can reach me at jen at ascend dot vc. I don’t always have the answers, but I know where to find them.I’ve had the joy of growing some of Seattle’s coolest startups and most recently helped Ascend portfolio company Attunely scale through their... Read More →

Sponsors

Ascend

Founder-led pre-seed venture capital fund investing in SaaS, ML/AI, data, and ecommerce software startups.

Fenwick

Fenwick is a premier law firm for tech and life sciences companies. Venturing beyond the borders of what others consider possible, or even considered in the first place.We’ve always known that technology companies like you were going to change the world. And if there’s anything... Read More →

Goldenrod Ventures

We invest in companies that integrate our physical and digital environments, relationships and experiences, thereby empowering people to lead better lives. We know that women-led companies are particularly well positioned to succeed in this opportunity space and yield stronger re... Read More →

Stifel

It began with an idea, proving a theory, and then unbridled joy. Founders know the ups and downs of getting started, gearing up, and moving forward. Trust Stifel Venture Banking as your partner with a solid platform to help you maintain equilibrium as you springboard to the next... Read More →

Tuesday April 30, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
The Center for Wooden Boats

Connection Engineer Events