Keynote Speakers
Alessandra Costa
Senior Vice President, Strategic Management Synopsys
Dr. Yanni Zhong
Advisory Engineer, Siemens Energy
Chad Kidder
IEEE USA
Janice Casagrande
Vice President, North America Enterprise at Ansys
Cecilia Metra
Professor, University of Bologna
Amber Orr
Vice-President, IEEE-USA, Career and Member Services
Anu Ramamurthy
Associate Fellow, Design at Microchip
Vanitha Kumar
Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Qualcomm Technologies Inc.
Scott Tamashiro
Senior Principal Engineer, Raytheon
Kevork Kechichian
Executive Vice President, Solutions Engineering, ARM
Michaela Blott
Senior Fellow, AMD
Colleen Bailey
Assistant Professor, University North Texas
Alessandra Costa, Senior VP Corporate Operations and Chief of Staff Office, Synopsys
Title coming soon
Thursday, May 15 | 9:00 – 9:45
To be introduced by Jyotika Athavale, Synopsys
About:
About
About: Alessandra Costa is senior vice president (SVP) of strategic management and a part of the executive leadership team at Synopsys. In this capacity, Costa oversees the company operations supporting the CEO and his staff. Costa is a passionate mentor to children in underprivileged communities and is actively developing high tech curriculum for high schools.
Abstract: Coming Soon
Janice Casagrande, Vice President, North America Enterprise at Ansys
Embracing Future Technologies and Building a Supportive Network
Thursday, May 15 | 19:30 – 20:00
To be introduced by Thomas Coughlin, Past President, IEEE 2025
About: Tom Coughlin, President, Coughlin Associates is a digital storage analyst and business/ technology consultant. He has over 40 years in the data storage industry with engineering and senior management positions. Coughlin Associates consults, publishes books and market and technology reports and puts on digital storage and memory-oriented events. He is a regular contributor for forbes.com and M&E organization websites. He is an IEEE Fellow, 2025 IEEE Past President, Past-President IEEE-USA, Past Director IEEE Region 6 and Past Chair Santa Clara Valley IEEE Section, and is also active with SNIA and SMPTE. For more information on Tom Coughlin go to www.tomcoughlin.com.
About
About: Janice Casagrande is a seasoned professional with an exemplary track record spanning over 30 years in the technology industry, including 16 years at Ansys, where she currently serves as the Vice President of North America Enterprise. Janice leads the Ansys teams toward unparalleled success by forging innovative engineering solutions for clients across diverse industries, including federal aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, and industrial sectors.
Abstract: AI solutions in product development integrate simulation with AI to enhance innovation, leveraging previously simulated results to train AI algorithms for efficient and reliable performance predictions. These technologies are expected to dramatically transform product development processes. As these new technologies are adopted, it is important to prioritize continued learning, building support networks, and enhancing leadership to ensure women are at the forefront. Our support for each other will foster continued advancement for women in technology.
Anu Ramamurthy, Associate Fellow, Design at Microchip Technology
Professional and Personal growth in the AI Age
Friday, May 16 | 8:15 – 9:00
To be introduced by Mary Ellen Randall, President-Elect, IEEE 2025
About: Mary Ellen Randall is an IEEE Fellow and member of the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu honor society.
She held technical and management positions in IBM, including an international assignment, hardware and software development, digital video chips, client/server services, network management, operating systems, and test design automation. She routinely managed projects on an international scale.She served on the IEEE Board of Directors as IEEE Treasurer, IEEE Vice President of MGA, and Region 3 Director, and served as IEEE WIE Committee Chair among other leadership positions. She created and developed the IEEE MOVE International Community Outreach Program for Disaster Relief and STEM education. She received awards for this work, including the IEEE Haraden Pratt Award. Ms. Randall is founder/CEO of Ascot Technologies, Inc., an award-winning software company which develops enterprise applications utilizing mobile delivery technologies. As a result, she was named a top “Woman In Business” in the Research Triangle North Carolina area and made Business Leader Magazine’s “Impact 100” List. She holds a M.S. Computer Science and a B.A. Mathematics from Binghamton University.
About
About: Anu Ramamurthy has been in the semiconductor industry for over 25 years. She is currently an Associate Fellow, Design at Microchip Technology. Her interests lie in the area of advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration. This includes all aspects of the ecosystem, starting with the technology, packaging, architecture, test, system integration and cost modelling of such designs. She is co-lead of the Open Chiplet Economy subgroup of the Open Compute Project. Anu is also very interested in mentoring women in engineering, has been part of the TechWomen program run by the U.S State department and also actively involved in the mentoring programs at Microchip.
Abstract: The AI age is reshaping professional and personal growth, offering unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As professionals and technical leaders, we need to develop the ability to use the advancements to improve our efficiency while adapting to the changing environment. While AI changes the landscape of jobs and careers it also provides tremendous benefits for self-improvement and growth. Learning to navigate our professional and personal lives through these changing times is a very interesting challenge.
Dr. Yanni Zhong, Advisory Engineer, Siemens Energy
Begin with the end in mind – professional and personal development in the wind industry
Friday, May 16 | 9:00 – 9:45
To be introduced by Vickie Ozburn, Collins Aerospace
About:
About
About: Dr. Yanni Zhong is an advisory engineer at Siemens Gamesa, UK, with 13 years of expertise in power electronics, including 9 years in the wind industry. Her experience spans the entire Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum, developing innovative engineering solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of power converters, from the initial concept to the final production. Currently, she serves as the IEEE IAS WiE representative.
Abstract: In a world increasingly dominated by AI technology, constant emails, and virtual meetings, the principle of “begin with the end in mind” is crucial for both product design and navigating our daily lives. In this presentation, I will share insights from my engineering design experiences in wind turbine applications, demonstrating how this approach fosters effective solutions. I will also discuss how embracing this mindset could empower individuals to prioritise what truly matters in their personal and professional lives, amidst the chaos of work demands, social media engagements, self-care routines, and family commitments.
Kevork Kechichian, Executive VP, Solutions Engineering, ARM
Title coming soon
Friday, May 16 | 9:45 – 10:30
To be introduced by Jyotika Athavale, Synopsys
About:
About
About: Kevork is the Executive Vice President, Solutions Engineering at Arm, and leads the team that works closely with Arm’s world-class partner ecosystem to develop and accelerate our technologies as we keep ahead of changing market needs. His career spans 30 years in various semiconductor engineering and leadership roles. Before joining Arm, he was the Executive Vice President of MCU/MPU Engineering at NXP Semiconductors where he led the company’s global architecture and IP & SoC design. Previously, he was the Senior Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm where he managed the Snapdragon SoC and Technology teams and was responsible for delivering more than 100 SoCs in leading-edge technologies, enabling breakthrough products in mobile and consumer markets. Kevork holds a BEng degree in Electrical Engineering from American University of Beirut and a MS in Electrical Engineering from Concordia University.
Abstract: Coming Soon
Cecilia Metra, Professor, University of Bologna
AI Reliability and Security Challenges to enable a Trustworthy Metaverse
Friday, May 16 | 11:00 – 11:30
To be introduced by Jyotika Athavale, Synopsys
About:
About
About: Cecilia Metra, FIEEE, is a Full Professor at the University of Bologna (Italy), from which she received the degree in Electronic Engineering and the PhD in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. She was Vice-President and President of the School of Engineering of the University of Bologna, and Visiting Faculty Consultant for Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, California). She is IEEE Director, Division VIII. She was IEEE Director, Division V, and the 2019 President of the IEEE Computer Society.
Abstract: The Metaverse is emerging as a new layer connecting the digital and the real worlds into a unified environment, offering enhanced opportunities to a huge variety of application fields, with potentials for inclusive accessibility to all. AI plays a key role in enabling the metaverse, by providing humans’ interaction with the metaverse, and allowing a personalized experience in the metaverse. AI reliability, safety and security challenges to enable a trustworthy metaverse will be discussed.
Vanitha Kumar, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies Inc.
Connectivity & AI Symbiosis : Leadership in the Era of Connected Intelligence
Friday, May 16 | 13:00 – 13:30
To be introduced by Timothy Lee, President, IEEE USA 2025
About:
About
About: Vanitha Kumar is a Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies Incorporated. Vanitha has over 25 years of experience in the wireless telecommunications industry and in embedded software architecture, design, and development. In her current role at Qualcomm, Vanitha leads the modem & connectivity SW technology team which includes 5G, 4G-LTE, WLAN, Bluetooth, Satellite Techs, Wireless ML, Gen-AI and automotive technologies across multiple global locations.
Abstract: We are at an extremely interesting inflection point. The technologies that have been independently evolving over the last two decades are entering a stage where they will be feeding each other, opening doors for new use cases and industries to see big evolutions. With these big opportunities come big responsibilities to make sure we are building these technologies the right way with increased focus on security, privacy and greater good while making sure we leave no one behind.
IEEE USA Panel
Extend Your Reach, Increase Your Impact: Leveraging IEEE for Maximum Success
Friday, May 16 | 16:10 – 16:50
Moderator: Chad Kidder, IEEE USA
About: Chad Kidder received his BS and MS in electrical engineering from Texas A&M. He is a licensed professional engineer in Texas. Since his graduation he has worked for large and small businesses, a university and consulted. His work has been primarily in microwaves, radar phased arrays, and embedded systems. He currently works as the Americas EDA Services Manager at Keysight Technologies. Chad has served in many IEEE capacities supporting volunteer success and is currently IEEE USA Conference Committee Chair. Chad is married to the wonderful Melissa Kidder and is the father of four wonderful children. He has served on community boards, founded a neighborhood association, and founded a Boy Scout troop. Chad is passionate about helping others have the tools and knowledge to make the world a better place.
Abstract: Don’t look back with regret! If you have ever said, “If I only knew how…” this is for you! Join our panelists from IEEE USA to learn how to catalyze your efforts to improve the world in and outside the profession.
Panelists |
Amber Orr,
VP IEEE-USA
About
About: Amber E Orr is a Professional Engineer practicing in the State of Washington, USA. She has a history of working in both the Industrial and Power & Energy sectors. She is also an Electrical Forensic Engineer. She is currently the Chief Engineer representing several blockchain and HPC organizations supporting or developing their new large infrastructure requests and renewables throughout the United States. Amber served as an adjunct Engineering Professor for approximately seven years, contributing to the nurturing of future engineering talent. She has served in many IEEE volunteer positions and is currently the IEEE USA Vice-President of Careers and Professional Development.
Scott Tamashiro,
Senior Principal Engineer, Raytheon
About
About:Scott is an experienced Senior Principal System Engineer skilled in Systems Engineering, Time Management, Project Management, Reliability, and Maintainability at Raytheon since 1998. He is an expert in analyzing failure data on unique anomalies and assigning probabilities and risk assessments. He is also an instructor at USC Viterbi school of engineering since 2009. Scott has served in many IEEE positions and is Region 6 Director-Elect.
Colleen Bailey,
Asst. Prof., Univ. N Texas
About
About: Colleen Bailey is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of North Texas and the PI of the Optimization, Signal Processing, and Control Algorithm Research Lab (O.S.C.A.R.). Colleen is currently serving as the HKN Region 5 & 6 Governor. She is an IEEE STEM Champion and an IEEE VoLT graduate. She also serves as the IEEE UNT Student Branch Counselor and IEEE-HKN Lambda Zeta Chapter Advisor. Colleen is the recipient of the 2019 and 2023 IEEE R5 Outstanding Branch Counselor Award as well as the 2022 UNT Advisor of the Year Eagle Award. She is the 2023 recipient of the UNT College of Engineering Faculty Teaching Award.
Michaela Blott, Senior Fellow, AMD
Enabling the AI Revolution
Friday, May 16 | 16:50 – 17:35
To be introduced by Cecilia Metra, University of Bologna
About: Cecilia Metra, FIEEE, is a Full Professor at the University of Bologna (Italy), from which she received the degree in Electronic Engineering and the PhD in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. She was Vice-President and President of the School of Engineering of the University of Bologna, and Visiting Faculty Consultant for Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, California). She is IEEE Director, Division VIII. She was IEEE Director, Division V, and the 2019 President of the IEEE Computer Society.
About
About: Dr. Michaela Blott is a Senior Fellow at AMD Research. She heads a team of international scientists driving groundbreaking research in computer architectures for AI, green AI, model optimizations and agile compiler stacks. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin and a Master’s degree from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, and brings over 25 years of experience in leading-edge computer architecture and advanced FPGA design, in research institutions (ETH Zurich and Bell Labs) and development organizations. She is highly active in the research community as industrial advisor to numerous EU projects and research centres, serves on technical program committees and was recognized through multiple Women in Tech Awards.
Abstract: The hype surrounding AI has reached unprecedented levels, with governments and industries engaged in an arm’s race towards Artificial General Intelligence. As AI permeates every aspect of our lives, from smart sensors and hearing aids to automotive, robotics, and high-energy particle physics, we face a diverse range of challenges that extend far beyond the widely discussed performance scalability and sustainability.These challenges include demanding requirements such as nanosecond latency, tiny footprints, functional safety, and a high degree of customization. This talk provides insights into the broad emerging spectrum of AI applications and discusses our latest research demonstrating how these challenges, ranging from bag tagging to 6G, can be addressed with a comprehensive portfolio of compute fabrics, agile AI stacks and innovative solutions.