Keynote Speakers
Michaela Blott
Senior Fellow at AMD
Alessandra Costa
Senior Vice President, Strategic Management Synopsys
Dr. Dawn Beyer
LM Sr., Fellow, Lockheed Martin
Judy Curran
CTO, Corporate Board Director, Automotive, Digital Transformation
Edugie Niepa
LM Sr., Fellow, Lockheed Martin
Leila De Floriani
Professor at University of Maryland, IEEE Fellow, 2023-24 IEEE Division VIII Director

Biographie
About: Dr. Dawn Beyer is a Lockheed Martin (LM) Senior Fellow. She has over 30 years of experience covering fields such as cybersecurity, security engineering, systems engineering, and military intelligence.
Dr. Dawn Beyer, LM Sr. Fellow and Edugie Niepa, LM Sr, Fellow, Lockheed Martin
Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Women to Achieve Technical Excellence and Fellow/Senior Fellow Recognition
Friday, May 16 | 17:00 – 17:35

Biographie
About: An accomplished Senior Technical Fellow, Chief Engineer, Board Member, and public speaker with a wealth of expertise in spearheading technology implementation, IT-enabled business and digital transformation solutions, and operational strategies for multibillion-dollar enterprise system integration and implementation programs. My track record demonstrates exceptional business acumen, having successfully delivered critical enterprise business solutions across diverse domains for both international and domestic customers. I have provided pivotal technical leadership and oversight, establishing and managing multidisciplinary and cross-company teams, adeptly handling IT programs and projects.
Abstract: This keynote session delves into the challenges and opportunities women face in their quest for technical excellence and Fellow/Senior Fellow recognition. Despite their significant contributions, women remain underrepresented in these esteemed positions. Through a critical analysis ofthe current landscape, the presentation will address implicit biases and stereotypes that hinder progress and identify effective strategies for overcoming these barriers. Drawing on the experiences of successful women Fellows and Senior Fellows, the session will highlight their careerpaths, challenges, and achievements. The role of inclusive and supportive technical communities in promoting diversity and inclusion will be examined, along with ways to create and sustain these environments. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the challenges women in technical fields face and learn strategies for overcoming implicit bias, developing impactful research and innovation strategies, and fostering inclusive communities. This session is designed for women in technical fieldsaspiring to Fellow and Senior Fellow positions, as well as leaders and managers committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in their organizations. By sharing insights and experiences, the presentation aims to empower women to achieve technical excellence and strive for Fellow and Senior Fellow recognition, ultimately enhancing diversity and inclusion in technical fields. Through this session, participants will not only understandthe barriers but also be equipped with practical tools to navigate and overcome them, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable technical community.

Biographie
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.
Michaela Blott, Senior Fellow, AMD
Enabling the AI Revolution
Friday, May 16 | 17:00 – 17:35
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.
Biographie
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.
Alessandra Costa, Senior Vice President Corporate Operations and Chief of Staff Office, Synopsys
Thought Leadership
Thursday, May 15 | 9:20 – 10:05
Abstract: Establishing yourself as a thought leader can help you develop your career, bring in new possibilities, and offer value to the organization you work for. This much is obvious at this point. But how exactly does one go about establishing themselves as a thought leader? In this talk I will help you build a thought leadership strategy that will compound growth over time.
Biographie
About: Judy Curran is an experienced public board director and board committee chair. Extensive experience in automotive product development and digital transformation; key roles in CTO Office, and as a Global Vehicle Line Director/Chief Engineer, VP of Component Engineering, and Connectivity/Software Strategy Director.
Judy Curran, CTO, Corporate Board Director, Automotive, Digital Transformation
Leadership
Thursday, May 15 | 19:00 – 21:30
Abstract: Missing

Biographie
About: Leila De Fioriani is a professor at the University of Maryland with a joint appointment with the Department of Geographical Sciences and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS).
Leila De Fioriani, Professor University of Maryland
Career Development
Thursday, May 15 |12:25 – 13:55
Abstract of the talk: Missing