Sessions: WomenTech Global Conference

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Session	Speaker	Share to Vote
Reetal Pai CIO at Teichert	Build Communities Not Just Networks Do you cringe at the idea of networking or dread the small talk at large gatherings? What if there was another way to build authentic, long-lasting relationships to support your personal and professional growth? Join us as we explore the gaps in traditional networking models for women and share our experiences in fostering meaningful connections based on shared values and purpose. We will delve into the transformative power of building communities that go beyond traditional networking, enhancing your professional journey, providing a nurturing environment for growth, and creating lasting… read more
Maria Colacurcio CEO at Syndio	Business lessons learned from being a fitness world-record holder In addition to being the CEO of Syndio, a pioneer in global pay transparency, Mara Colacurcio is also a world-class, record-holding HYROX racer. Maria embodies how women can redefine leadership on their own terms. Breaking records in HYROX's intense hybrid fitness sport while simultaneously leading a startup, she dismantles outdated narratives about female leadership and athletic achievement. Colacurcio reveals how the mental toughness forged through punishing competitions—combining distance running with functional fitness challenges—directly translates to navigating the demands of… read more
Ying Li Product Lead at Meta	Harness LLM/GenAI to Elevate Your Existing Products In this section, I will explore how businesses can effectively harness the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance and elevate existing products. Drawing from my expertise in growth, monetization, and AI, I will share actionable insights on how to integrate these advanced technologies into products that are already in the market, ultimately improving customer experiences and creating new revenue streams. Participants will learn about the impact of AI technologies on product development, the steps to incorporate LLMs and GenAI into their… read more
Simran Yadav Senior AI and Data Consultant at EY	Mastering Prompt Engineering: Unlocking the Power of Generative AI for Business Impact This session can focus on: 1. The fundamentals of prompt engineering and how it enhances AI responses 2. Best practices for crafting effective prompts in enterprise applications 3. Real-world use cases in financial services, healthcare, and marketing 4. Ethical considerations and biases in prompt engineering 5. How women in tech can leverage prompt engineering to drive innovation Did you like this session? Share to vote.
Celeste McNeill VP Human Resources at ImageX	Effective Team Leadership in Remote and Hybrid Development Environments As development teams increasingly shift to remote or hybrid setups, leading such teams comes with unique challenges. This session will focus on actionable strategies, best practices, and tools that enhance team collaboration, communication, and productivity in remote and hybrid environments. Attendees will gain insights into building cohesive, high-performing teams while navigating the complexities of distributed work. Did you like this session? Share to vote.
Mahak Shah Software Engineer - P3 at Splunk (Cisco)	The Growth Mindset Revolution This talk explores practical frameworks for sustainable skill development, introducing the concept of learning portfolios and the three pillars of continuous learning. Drawing from real-world experiences, we'll examine strategies for overcoming common challenges like imposter syndrome and technology overwhelm, while building a supportive learning ecosystem that promotes both individual and community growth. Did you like this session? Share to vote.
Lauren Kwan VP of Global Marketing at Plus	Building trust in autonomous trucking The autonomous trucking journey is at a pivotal point – after years of research and development, we are moving from promise to reality, from testing to commercial deployment. The road ahead isn’t just about perfecting technology; earning trust is also a critical piece. How do we bring the world along on this journey? At Plus, we are building and deploying autonomous driving software to make transportation safer, greener and smarter. Working with the world’s most trusted commercial vehicle makers – TRATON Group and its International, Scania, MAN brands, IVECO, and Hyundai – we… read more
Hanna Abdel Hamid Head of Sigma Software Canada at Sigma Software Group	Unveiling Unconscious Bias: Exploring the Hidden Forces Shaping Our Perceptions In this engaging keynote speech, we will delve into the intricate world of unconscious bias, shedding light on the hidden forces that shape our perceptions and decisions. We'll start by exploring the origins of unconscious bias, its various forms including racial, gender, and age biases, and the significant consequences it has on individuals, organizations, and society. Through captivating research insights and real-life examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how bias influences our thoughts and actions. We will then focus on actionable steps to counter… read more
Sarah Wall Director, Business Analysis at Info-Tech Research Group	Harmonizing Work and Life: Mindfulness, Balance, and Remote Flexibility Many people strive to achieve work-life balance maintaining an equilibrium between the time devoted to one's job and the time allocated to personal life, family, health, and other non-work activities. It often implies a separation between work and personal life and creates a sense of trade-offs, where one's career success is weighed against personal life satisfaction. Consider looking at work-life balance through an alternate lens of striving for work-life harmony. Harmony suggests a more integrated and flexible approach to combining work and personal life. It… read more
Sarah Wall Director, Business Analysis at Info-Tech Research Group	Harmonizing Work and Life: Mindfulness, Balance, and Remote Flexibility Many people strive to achieve work-life balance maintaining an equilibrium between the time devoted to one's job and the time allocated to personal life, family, health, and other non-work activities. It often implies a separation between work and personal life and creates a sense of trade-offs, where one's career success is weighed against personal life satisfaction. Consider looking at work-life balance through an alternate lens of striving for work-life harmony. Harmony suggests a more integrated and flexible approach to combining work and personal life. It… read more
Marissa McNeelands CEO & Co-founder at Toast	Diverse by Design: Crafting AI with Inclusivity In this compelling TED-style talk, Marissa McNeelands, CEO and co-founder of Toast, explores the urgent need for diversity in AI, particularly in recruitment. The session will uncover the ethical challenges and biases deeply embedded in AI systems. Marissa will share groundbreaking insights from Toast’s innovative approach - using AI not just to screen candidates in, but to ensure women and underrepresented groups aren't unfairly screened out. The talk will conclude with an interactive Q & A, diving deeper into individual queries and collective insights on forging a more inclusive AI… read more
Amber Foucault Vice President of Product, Applications at Dayforce	Integrating AI and ML into the Product Development Process In this talk, Amber Foucault, VP of Product Applications at Dayforce, will share tactical strategies and leading methodologies to integrate AI and ML into the product development process – no matter the organization or team size. Amber’s unique experience, including launching 70+ products throughout her career in startups and enterprise, will highlight a scrappy approach to innovation and deliver tangible takeaways. Topics covered will include problem identification, team configuration, and strategic and structural options – all best practices for testing and integrating innovation quickly… read more
Pooja Kelgaonkar Senior Data Architect at Rackspace Technology	Data Strategy for AI Adoption Discuss how organizations can develop and implement effective AI strategies, including considerations for selecting the right data and AI strategies. Did you like this session? Share to vote.
Jess Johnson Technical Lead at Fullscript	AI Advocacy in Engineering: Translating Tech into Business This talk will explore the pivotal role engineers play as AI advocates within their organizations, acting as a bridge between technical AI development and business strategy. We delve into "The Engineers Playbook", providing practical strategies, tools, and illuminating case studies to empower engineers to effectively communicate the benefits and investments of AI to non-technical stakeholders. We will also discuss how to inspire engineers to own their expert title, motivating continuous learning about AI advancements and their business impact to foster a culture of relentless… read more
Michelle Brooks Chief People & Culture Officer at Security Compass	Empowering Women in Tech: Navigating the Remote & Hybrid Landscape Join us for an insightful discussion on making remote and hybrid work environments truly work for you as a woman in technology. We'll explore the potential dangers of remote and hybrid work, specifically addressing the impacts of cognitive load on women. Learn effective strategies for creating boundaries that seamlessly integrate work with life, and gain practical tips on self-advocacy both at home and in the professional sphere. Let's empower ourselves to thrive in the evolving world of work! Did you like this session? Share to vote.
Neelima Mangal Author \| Member of Forbes Council, MIT CIO\| TechExec	Journey from a Small Town to Engineer to Leadership: Career Insightsm & Lessons Learned Journey from a Small Town to Engineer to Leadership:Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started My Career With over two decades immersed in the IT sector, navigating teams, managing projects, and addressing the dynamic challenges of the evolving technical landscape, my journey has been marked by a tapestry of failures and successes. Through these experiences, I've gleaned valuable insights. To provide you with a valuable foundation for your leadership journey, I'm imparting lessons learned and sharing key aspects I wish I had known at the outset of my career. … read more
Lin Byrne Engineering Manager at Okta	Applying the learnings from updating the hiring process to day-to-day processes of engineering teams Over the last few years tech companies have aimed to address a lack of diversity in their engineering staff by looking into the recruiting and hiring process. These changes such as structured interviewing and standardized rubrics allowed for a more objective view of candidates moving through the process. This has led to an improvement not just in diversity statistics but also an improvement in the quality of hires. This talk discusses ways of taking these learnings and applying them to day-to-day processes for engineering teams with the aim of improving the day to day processes to achieve… read more
Tara Myshrall RVP Qlik Canada	Showing up and unleashing the power of authenticity to expand and rise In a world that often demands conformity, the true catalyst for personal and professional growth lies in the unapologetic embrace of authenticity. In this compelling talk, we will delve into the transformative power of "Showing Up" as our genuine selves, dismantling barriers and unlocking the doors to untapped potential. From the boardroom to everyday interactions, discover how authenticity becomes the cornerstone for expansion and elevation in every facet of life. Join us on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as we explore the profound impact of genuine expression,… read more
Alexia Proulx Manager of Technological Expertise Development at Petal	Onboarding or How to Train Your Champions of Tomorrow Effective onboarding is not just about welcoming new hires; it's a strategic investment that yields significant benefits for everyone involved. Not only does it play a pivotal role in reinforcing company culture, it’s also a key factor in increasing job satisfaction, engagement and retention. Discover with us how you can upgrade your onboarding to support the growth of your company and unlock the full potential of your tech teams. Did you like this session? Share to vote.
Michelle Joliat Senior Vice President, Product and Delivery at Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan	Empowering Technology Teams: Creating Great Culture and Psychological Safety In the dynamic landscape of technology, effective leadership is often seen as complex and challenging. However, this fireside chat will challenge that notion, as speaker Michelle Joliat will emphasize the power of simplicity in leadership. By keeping it simple, she has fostered a culture of clarity within her 130+ person organization (and the 500+ person technology organization as a whole), enhancing productivity and morale. Central to empowering technology teams is the art of asking questions. Michelle Joliat is a former Management Consultant who is not afraid of asking… read more