Track 2 Career Development
Session: Thursday, May 15 | 09:50 – 10:20
Session Chair:
Naznin Akter, IEEE WIE
About: Dr. Naznin Akter is a dynamic and results-driven engineering professional with a multifaceted background in the semiconductor industry, telecom project management, and strategic volunteer leadership. She has proven expertise in enhancing process stability, optimizing yield, and improving manufacturing capabilities.

Mariette Wharton, CEO, NIMBLE Mindset
AI + Human-Centered Design: Fueling Breakthrough Innovation to Accelerate Your Career
Thursday, May 15 | 09:50 – 10:10
About
About: Mariette Wharton is a tech innovator, founder, and CEO of NIMBLE Mindset, driving global impact through AI-powered entrepreneurship, leadership development, and bold strategies that fuel transformative growth and innovation.
Abstract: Breakthrough innovation isn’t just about great ideas—it’s a career catalyst. This talk reveals how harnessing AI within human-centered design and design thinking can set you apart as a leader. Learn how AI uncovers hidden insights, accelerates ideation, and drives rapid prototyping, empowering you to create transformative solutions. By blending data-driven insights with human creativity, you’ll not only fuel innovation but position yourself at the forefront of change, propelling your career to new heights.

JeanAnn Nichols, Executive Coach
Creating Mid-Career Momentum
Thursday, May 15 | 10:10 – 10:30
About
About: JeanAnn Nichols, executive coach, author, board director and former Vice President Intel Corporation, sparks engaging discussions by incorporating illustrative stories and practical advice into every presentation.
Abstract: You’ve established your technical expertise and learned to successfully lead a team. Now you are eager to take on more responsibility and increase your impact on the organization. Perhaps you’ve been told you’re “not ready” to successfully contribute at the next level. Join this session to learn a model and two practical tools that will inspire you to rethink how you plan the arc of your career and achieve your definition of success.
Session: Thursday, May 15 | 11:00 – 12:20
Session Chair:
Megha Arakeri, MIT Bangalore
About: Dr. Megha P. Arakeri, Professor at MIT Bangalore, India, is an active IEEE senior member and researcher with 20 years’ experience in AI, Computer Vision, and Data Analytics.

Camille McKinney, Executive/Leadership Coach
Shattering Ceilings: Elevating Your Leadership Through Self-Discovery
Thursday, May 15 | 11:00 – 11:40
About
About: Camille McKinney, Executive/Leadership Coach, empowers women leaders by bridging skill mastery with authentic leadership, leveraging her corporate experience, certifications, and ICF leadership to foster impactful, empowered women leaders.
Abstract: Women encounter two distinct barriers in their career journeys: the renowned glass ceiling and the often-overlooked self-imposed “drop ceiling.” By embracing their unique leadership identity, women can break through both barriers, gaining clarity and confidence. This internal shift empowers women to focus on personal growth, transcending external limitations. In doing so, women not only advance their own careers but also pave the way for future generations of female leaders.

Alexis King, MBA, Professional Speaker, Career Coach and Author
Go from Invisible to Invincible: How successful women can confidently navigate change, seize new opportunities, and thrive in any environment.
Thursday, May 15 | 11:40 – 12:00
About
About: Alexis King, MBA is a professional speaker, career coach and Author. She has over 20 years of experience working in the Tech industry. She speaks about developing “The Career Ninja Mindset™”. After people work with Alexis, they will feel empowered to make a change toward their next goal or dream job.
Abstract: In today’s ever-changing marketplace, so many women are fearful and unsure of how to keep up with the constant changes. It can be helpful to have a process that will ignite their ability to take action so they don’t feel stuck or left behind. With guidance, committed female leaders can discover the ability to move their teams in a direction that aligns with their strengths & abilities using actionable strategies and practical skills. Alexis utilizes a pragmatic 5 step roadmap that participants can implement and make meaningful progress in their professional goals.

Faith Haslebacher, Lead Project Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering
Crafting Your Career Narrative
Thursday, May 15 | 12:00 – 12:20
About
About: Faith Haslebacher is a Lead Project Manager at Walt Disney Imagineering where she manages teams driving development of world-class experiences. She is a multiple recipient of the Disney Inventor Award.
Abstract: The ability to pitch yourself in a brief, impactful statement is an indispensable skill in your career toolkit – but first, you must define who you are and what you want. Through the process of crafting your career narrative, you will unlock the ability to craft your future career. In this session, you will learn how to describe yourself and your accomplishments, create value-impact statements, and craft powerful language to pitch yourself for future opportunities.
Session: Thursday, May 15 | 14:00 – 15:20
Session Chair:
Megha Arakeri, MIT Bangalore
About: Dr. Megha P. Arakeri, Professor at MIT Bangalore, India, is an active IEEE senior member and researcher with 20 years’ experience in AI, Computer Vision, and Data Analytics.

Lorie Reichel-Howe, Founder, Conversations in the Workplace
Speaking Up While Female: Defeating Gender Bias
Thursday, May 15 | 14:00 – 14:20
About
About: Lorie Reichel-Howe, founder of Conversations in the Workplace, helps women communicate confidently while overcoming gender bias and navigating the challenges faced in male-dominated environments with impact and resilience.
Abstract: Effective communication significantly impacts career success. For women, assertiveness can be risky when unfair cultural stereotypes labeling them as aggressive or emotional. However, you can develop communication skills that empower you to speak confidently and clearly without compromising your values or career goals. Learn how to address concerns respectfully, present differing views with conviction, and overcome resistance and gender discrimination while ensuring your voice is heard and respected in the workplace.

Sara Hart, Inspirational Speaker
Midlife Women in Transition: Making the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life
Thursday, May 15| 14:20 – 14:40
About
About: Dr. Sara Hart is an inspirational, motivating speaker. She is passionate about Prime Spark, to change the way our society treats senior women. She works with professional women who are looking for a new path.
Abstract: You’ve been successful in your career, and you’ve liked what you’ve done, and the contributions you’ve made. Now at midlife you’re beginning to wonder, “Is this it? What’s next?” This is something that happens to many midlife women. It happened to me. Let’s talk about how this feels and some specific steps you can take to make the rest of your life the best of your life. It’s time for a new path forward.

Workshop with Jahnavi Brenner, CEO, The Vivid Leader
Beyond Technical Excellence: Leveraging the PIE Framework to Accelerate Your Engineering Career
Thursday, May 15 | 14:40 – 15:20
About
About: Drawing from her engineering roots and experience inside corporate talent processes, Jahnavi Brenner, CEO of The Vivid Leader, coaches technical leaders to maximize their impact and accelerate their advancement.
Abstract: Discover the career-changing secret behind Performance, Image, and Exposure (PIE) – and why mastering the “I” and “E” can transform your engineering leadership trajectory. While women engineers excel at performance, unlocking the power of image and exposure is the key to accelerated advancement. Through interactive exercises and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to leverage these critical elements. Leave with a powerful action plan to maximize your impact and fast-track your growth as a woman leader in engineering.
Session: Friday, May 16 | 14:00 – 15:20
Session Chair:
Naznin Akter, IEEE WIE
About: Dr. Naznin Akter is a dynamic and results-driven engineering professional with a multifaceted background in the semiconductor industry, telecom project management, and strategic volunteer leadership. She has proven expertise in enhancing process stability, optimizing yield, and improving manufacturing capabilities.

Elaine Robinson Beattie, CEO, Women of Vision Leadership Institute
The Fem-Leadership Edge: Lead with Passion, Purpose, and Power
Friday, May 16 | 14:00 – 14:20
About
About: Elaine Robinson Beattie, CEO of Women of Vision Leadership Institute, empowers Executive Women of Color to thrive in the highest levels of leadership. Author of Sis, You Earned It, she combines 30+ years of experience in Fortune 500 companies with advanced education and a passion for advancing equity across industries.
Abstract: The Fem-Leadership Edge: Lead with Passion, Purpose, and Power challenges women, especially women of color, to reimagine leadership beyond systemic bias and harmful tropes. This session introduces the Fem-Leadership personas and SEAT framework, empowering participants to lead authentically, build powerful networks, and take bold action. Through storytelling, reflection, and strategy, attendees will explore how to align purpose with power, elevate their leadership voice, and claim the seat they deserve, without apology.

Workshop with Nancy Marmolejo, Principal Consultant and Trainer, Talent and Genius
Engineered for Inclusion: Personal Branding for Underrepresented Women in STEM
Friday, May 16 | 14:20 – 15:20
About
About: Nancy Marmolejo is on a mission to amplify the voices of underrepresented STEM professionals. She blends cultural and emotional intelligence to deliver leadership programs to companies like NASA, RTX, and Microsoft.
Abstract: This session will address unique self-promotion challenges faced by underrepresented women in STEM, sharing a proven framework to communicate your stand-out strengths. Learn how to “control the narrative” around your personal brand and the consequences of not taking charge of the conversation. Takeaways from this session will enhance leadership presence, increase visibility, and foster career advancement. The strategies shared have been used in our work with underrepresented STEM leaders at Microsoft, RTX, and many others.