WiT Regatta - SEATTLE: Full Schedule

Join us April 23-27- 2018 for the Women in Tech Regatta Week.

The Regatta is a curated collection of events, workshops and conversations designed to connect women in tech to mentors, peers, resources and to the power of community. We will dwell in the realm of what’s possible, rather than simply what is.

Sessions are grouped thematically and each session will be hosted at one of five ports. Create a personalized itinerary aligned to your specific interests, by checking off the sessions below.

Monday Kick off opening party– Resource reception featuring over 30 orgs from our vibrant city that support women and girls in tech- all during one night, under one roof.
Port Tracks: During the week we’re hosting over 30 breakout sessions across the city. Sessions are grouped thematically and each session will be hosted at 1 of 5 ports.

Port 1: Tech Mavens (keeping you relevant in tech) We’ll be talking about everything from AI, to Crypto-Currency, to growing as a coder.
Port 2: Inclusive Culture (Allyship) The focus here is on ending gender bias in the workplace & building stronger, more diverse teams.
Port 3: Leadership (CEO’s & Startups) We’ll hear from a diverse group of CEO’s and startup leaders who will discuss multi-dimensional leadership, building credibility and avoiding isolation.
Port 4: All about YOU (Build your story) This is all about you- being bold, intentional and building resilience. Pump up your side hustle and put some mojo into your personal brand.
Port 5: Career Acumen (Building relationships) Learn about how storytelling, mentorship, and meaningful connections will help you meet your career goals and win the race.

Closing Celebration: Enjoy the last day of the WiT Regatta Week at the Progressive Closing Celebrations. Participate in a variety of exciting pop in events: Complimentary headshots, fashion exhibits, interactive VR, candlelight meditation, résumé review, workplace hacks and more... Connect, nibble & sip with new and old friends.

12:00pm PDT

The Story of Bleeding-Edge Technologies

Limited Capacity filling up

Northeastern's entrance is located on the NORTH corner of Terry and Republican. 401 Terry Ave N Suite 103

Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Robotics and Quantum Computing. Bleeding-edge technologies like these can creatively solve key company-wide challenges and drive business ROI. However many companies still experience fear around its adoption. Join us to explore these trends, real-life applications and innovative technology solutions across industries. Learn how you leverage them to drive transformation and ROI within your respective companies and industries. It's not a matter of IF these technologies will be adopted, it's a matter of WHEN. Stay ahead of the curve and be a champion for change.

Speakers

Becky Anderson

SWE, Google

Angela Govila

Former VP, Digital Bank, Capital One, Independent

Stephanie Hurlburt

Co-Founder, Binomial

Gaurav Mukherjee

Human Biomechanics and Robotics Researcher, University of Washington

Sinead O'Donovan

Partner Group Program Manager, Microsoft

Elizabeth Scallon

Director, CoMotion Labs at the University of Washington

Associate Director of UW CoMotion Labs & MakerSpace

Monday April 23, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Northeastern University

Port 1 - Tech Mavens

3:00pm PDT

Deciphering Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies

Limited Capacity filling up

Northeastern's entrance is located on the NORTH corner of Terry and Republican. 401 Terry Ave N Suite 103

The explosive growth of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies has fostered a new marketplace and created new foundations and trends for our global economic and social systems. While these tech platforms remain largely cryptic concepts for most people, they are arguably becoming mainstream. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are experiencing increasing uptake from regular businesses including Whole Food and Expedia, and Blockchain is being piloted by dozens of governments. Join our discussion to learn about where are we heading with these platforms and what you can do to prepare yourself to use them in your day to day. Will they stick around to become mainstream, remain a high-risk 'fad' for a niche market, or fade away as quickly as they emerged? Should the average person even care? Educate yourself.

Speakers

Scott Arenson

Founder, Blockchains for Social Good

Minda Brusse

Chief Of Staff, StormX

Kate Mitselmakher

General Partner, Bloccelerate

Kate Mitselmakher is the CEO, Founder & General Partner of Bloccelerate VC, a blockchain fund and an accelerator looking to invest in 50-100 blockchain companies over the next 5 years. Bloccelerate is a team of serial investors, entrepreneurs, and executives from Fortune 500 companies... Read More →

Rekha Nanda

Principle Engineering Manager, Microsoft

Padmaja Vrudhula

Chief of Staff and Office the CTO - Global, VMware

Monday April 23, 2018 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Northeastern University

Port 1 - Tech Mavens

6:00pm PDT

Opening Kick-Off Resource Reception

Resource reception featuring over 40 orgs from our vibrant city that support women and girls in tech- all during one night, under one roof. Connect with industry leaders who can help you find new opportunities, provide you with valuable networking and powerful insights to push your career to the next level.

Monday April 23, 2018 6:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
The Collective

Opening Kick-Off

10:00am PDT

Keeping Your Skills Sharp

Limited Capacity filling up

Northeastern's entrance is located on the NORTH corner of Terry and Republican. 401 Terry Ave N Suite 103

New programming languages, new stacks, new server and cloud technologies, and new containers are arriving at a fast and furious pace. Career success and growth depend on your ability to keep up. Join our session to learn how to continuously develop your skills and discover strategies to help target the most relevant technologies.

Moderators

Kari Bancroft

Director of Education & Tech, Ada Developers Academy

Speakers

Keiko Borkenhagen

Program Manager, Education & Training, LiquidPlanner

Susanna Edens

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Northeastern University

A Master's student graduating this May with a MS Computer Science from Northeastern (Seattle) through the ALIGN program, having graduated with a Bachelor's in Health Science from Northeastern (Boston) in 2015. Through the ALIGN program, I have successfully completed 2 software engineering... Read More →

Arif Gursel

Hacktivist - Founder - Executive Director, Pan African Center for Empowerment

A serial and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience gained from a unique blend of professional experience. He specializes in product development, technology strategy, and business model development equipped to lead initiatives & people toward common goals. He's most... Read More →

Alejandra Quetzalli

Founder, She Codes Now

Tuesday April 24, 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Northeastern University

Port 1 - Tech Mavens

12:00pm PDT

Wanted: Men, Executives, & People in Power

Enter the building through the main entrance. Take the elevators down to the first floor and follow the signs.

This session is designed for those in positions of power (men, executives, leaders, business owners, decision-makers) who want to help end bias in the workplace but don’t know how. This will be a safe space for you to learn practical strategies, skills, and tactics to support and champion the underrepresented - women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, parents, caregivers and people of all ages.

Speakers

Cynthia Tee

Senior Vice President of Engineering, Smartsheet

Cynthia supports the teams that build Smartsheet’s customer experiences. Prior to that she was VP of Technology at Nordstrom supporting commerce services. She has over 25 years of experience building software as well as leading teams in consumer applications, operating system services... Read More →

Tuesday April 24, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
thinkspace SEATTLE

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

12:00pm PDT

Take Your Seat at the Table: Building Credibility

Limited Capacity filling up

Speakers

Felicia Guity

Channel Officer Worldwide Public Sector - Education at Microsoft, Microsoft

Aja Hammerly

Staff Developer Advocate, Google

Elizabeth Hunter

Vice President - Technology Strategy Implementation, T-Mobile

Cathi Rodgveller

CEO and Founder, IGNITE Worldwide

IGNITE’s mission is to create opportunities to spark girls’ excitement about technology careers and inspire them to new possibilities. IGNITE lights them up. Girls in grades 6-12 from all backgrounds interact with professional women in technology careers during the school day... Read More →

Siraj Sirajuddin

Co-Founder, Temenos+Agility

Siraj has provided excellent change management coaching and leadership to large and medium sized organizations like Air Canada, Siemens, Tennessee Valley Authority, TradeStation, Capital One, Extended Stay America, Ft. Huachuca AZ, DKB Household Brands, Railinc, Media Temple, EDF... Read More →

Alice Steinglass

President, Code.org

Tuesday April 24, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Capital One

Port 3 - Leadership

12:00pm PDT

Toxic Tech: Mindful Strategies to Build Resilience

Speakers

Kiesha Garrison

Business Development & Strategy, AI & Intelligent Cloud, Microsoft

Kathy Kyllonen

General Manager, Global Solutions, Microsoft

Renee Metty

CEO, With Pause

Greg Myers

Agile coach, Capital One

Tuesday April 24, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Facebook

Port 4 - All About You

3:00pm PDT

Leading with Vision is Vital!

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Enter the building through the main entrance. Take the elevators down to the first floor and follow the signs.

As a Leader, a well-articulated Vision is vital to all that we do. And having that Vision come from you and your team is critical to create a sense of belonging and alignment. Join Siraj Sirajuddin and Susan Gibson in this 2-hour workshop where we’ll explore past influences and clean our slate of all that baggage that’s been sabotaging us, so that we can get to the good stuff! Articulating our personal visions and creating an action plan to put that vision into motion.

Speakers

Susan Gibson

Co-Founder & CEO, Temenos+Agility

With over thirty years experience in the tech industry – from developer to project manager and pioneering Agile Transformation coach to Temenos Facilitator, Susan consistently seeks ways to bring authenticity and compassion to software and product delivery. Following the Agile Manifesto... Read More →

Siraj Sirajuddin

Co-Founder, Temenos+Agility

Tuesday April 24, 2018 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
thinkspace SEATTLE

Port 3 - Leadership

3:30pm PDT

Diversity by Design: Co-Creating Inclusive Organizations for Immigrants & Newcomers

Session Address:
501 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109
The East part is key. Capital One’s logo is not yet on the building but there is Pro Sports Club signage. When you arrive come up to the 4th floor. There is a building garage with public parking but South Lake Union is a hot area so it’s not guaranteed.

In this interactive workshop participants will explore the experiences of immigrants, newcomers and people of cultural backgrounds as they navigate the rapid currents of the tech industry. The underlying goal of this training session is to help create safe environments where everyone can thrive, and that are based on the cultural influences that impact the individuals of cultural backgrounds and the type of support they need. Participants will co-create a set of diversity practices for organization’s stakeholders, including teammates, managers, HR Manager and leadership, while taking into account the immigrants’ challenges and needs in a fast-paced tech industry.

Speakers

Nishat Ahkter

Principal Systems Analyst, F5

Mahnaz Akbari

Owner, Consultant

I'm a Data Scientist with over a decade expertise in Tech. I'm also advocate for inclusiveness. I founded Women in Data Science - Seattle (Sea-WiDS) meetup to help filling the gender gap.

Yeni Capote Diaz

DevOps Engineer, Samsung

Bob Kasten

CTO, Contact Center Tools

Chuks Onwuneme

Founder, Pillsy

Sunjay Pandey

VP, Digital Products, Capital One

I'm a purpose-led leader driving industry disruptions; I build innovative products and organizations by inspiring (and organizing) interdisciplinary teams to work backwards from deep-seated customer problems with data-driven execution. I've led teams across: green field, high-growth... Read More →

Nathalie Steinmetz

Founder & CEO, She's Coding

Software Engineer with 15+ years of experience, currently working as such at L1NDA, and running She’s Coding, a nonprofit for women in tech. Looking to build connections and collaborations with people, organizations and companies that support that mission and want to join along... Read More →

Yanmei Wu

Software Development Manager, Amazon

Tuesday April 24, 2018 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Capital One

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

5:30pm PDT

Bird's-Eye View from the Top: How to Avoid Leadership Isolation

Enter the building through the main entrance. Take the elevators down to the first floor and follow the signs.

Being the leader is a powerful responsibility...and it can be very lonely. Hear how CEOs keep up with with their teams, encourage truth-telling and how you can better support your leaders and become a better leader yourself.

Moderators

Laura Clise

Founder and CEO, Intentionalist

Laura Clise is a corporate intrapreneur turned social entrepreneur with a passion for instigating impact at the intersection of business and society. She is the founder and CEO of Intentionalist, an online platform and guide that connects consumers to local businesses and the diverse... Read More →

Speakers

Nicole Buchanan

Executive Director, Ada Academy

Susan Gibson

Co-Founder & CEO, Temenos+Agility

Manny Medina

CEO, Outreach.io

Tuesday April 24, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
thinkspace SEATTLE

Port 3 - Leadership

5:30pm PDT

Side Hustle Success: Why Knot Dive into Your Side Hustle Now?

Moderators

Gina Fresquez

Founder / Speaker / Author / Coach, Gina Fresquez International / Lodima Leadership Collective

Hi, I'm Gina, best selling author, keynote speaker, and success and leadership coach with a commitment to support women in male-dominated industries (STEM) and female founders to get out of their own way by overcoming self-doubt and gain more confidence to succeed in all areas of... Read More →

Speakers

André Bearfield

Co-Founder, HERE Seattle

Rakhi Voria

Chief of Staff | Sr. Business Manager to Corporate Vice President of Inside Sales, Microsoft

Rakhi has played a key role in building the digital sales force for Microsoft, growing the team to 2,000 sellers globally and the business to over $5B in under 3 years. Rakhi partners with the leadership team to drive and land Microsoft's inside sales strategy and global implementation... Read More →

Sarah Worley

Program Manager, Amazon

Looking for ways to connect people, ideas, and opportunities in the community.

Lorraine Yu

Managing Director, Sirius 6 Corporation

Tuesday April 24, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Facebook

Port 4 - All About You

5:30pm PDT

EASTSIDE - Captaining Your Own MentorSHIP

Hear from a cross-generational panel of Tech leaders in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s about navigating the world of mentoring

One Bellevue Center (corner of 108th & 4th Avenue)
411-108th Avenue NE Bellevue, WA 98004
Parking is paid for by the attendee.
OBC parking is directly after the building (on the 4th Street Side)
Pass the building on your right
Next immediate right into alleyway (sign on your left for Potbelly’s and hi rise apartment building) and next right into the garage
Other garages in the area:
https://www.bestparking.com/bellevue-parking/

Speakers

Mona Akmal

Head of Product, Amperity

Dilpreet Kaur

Founder, Think.Act

Janis Machala

Founder, Paladin Partners

Senior business executive and entrepreneur with extensive expertise driving the formation, growth, and market success of technology-based or vertically-focused organizations. Recognized expert in strategic partnerships. Skilled at getting growth companies connected to the right... Read More →

Jeremy Modjeska

Director of Engineering, Moz

Kara Ottewell

Software Development Manager, Amazon

Kara got into computer programming in the 1980s, writing experimental control software, and data analysis for her Ph.D. in High Energy Particle Physics. She was a physics researcher at CERN, DESY and the University of Manchester. Her first software job was at a small Stockport company... Read More →

Dona Sarkar

Chief #NinjaCat-Windows Insider Program, Microsoft

Tuesday April 24, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Ebay - Bellevue

Port 5 - Career Acumen

5:30pm PDT

Resume Rescue: Tips, Tricks, & the Impact of Social Presence

Learn from this panel of experts how to leverage the job description, highlight your superpower, and find out why creating multiple resumes are necessary. Also, hear how your social presence and networking can impact your job prospects. Participate in panelist run small group discussions. Bonus: Bring your resume and questions to the Closing Celebration Pop In Resume Review and get immediate feedback from experts!

Speakers

Ellenore Angelids

Global Director Kindle Content Risk Management, Amazon

Vicki Bartelt

Talent Scout & HR Generalist, Team Red Dog

Ted Dworkin

Senior Vice President, Product Management and Customer Experience, Sonos

Ted Dworkin is Senior Vice President of Product Management and Customer Experience at Sonos. In this role, he leads a diverse team of hardware and software product managers as well as teams focused on customer success, user experience, and user research. His team is responsible for... Read More →

Mikaela Kiner

Founder/CEO, uniquelyHR

Marleen Eitzen Shanks

Principal, Team Red Dog

Tuesday April 24, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Juno Therapeutics

Port 5 - Career Acumen

6:00pm PDT

Hacking into Bias with DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) Data: A Necessary Process

Session Address:
501 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109
The East part is key. Capital One’s logo is not yet on the building but there is Pro Sports Club signage. When you arrive come up to the 4th floor. There is a building garage with public parking but South Lake Union is a hot area so it’s not guaranteed.

Ready to learn why data is so important for DEI work? Whether you are a company in the beginning stages of DEI or with established initiatives come engage in a conversation about the importance of data in DEI. The Inclusology team will be delivering a highly engaging interactive workshop and discussion on their company and their perspective on this topic. Let's geek out together!

Speakers

Cheryl Ingram

Founder, CEO, Diverse City, Inclusology

Tuesday April 24, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Capital One

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

10:00am PDT

Ageism in the Workplace: Are You Getting Pushed Off the Boat?

Speakers

Jean Craciun

Founder, The Diversity Center of Washington

KoKo Huang

Business Immigration Principal, Jackson Lewis P.C.

Cheryl Ingram

Founder, CEO, Diverse City, Inclusology

Mikaela Kiner

Founder/CEO, uniquelyHR

Jessica Loché-Eggert

Head of Innovation & Culture, The Riveter

Lee Reeves

Amanda Townsend

HR & Culture Strategist, Outreach.io

Wednesday April 25, 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Capital One

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

12:00pm PDT

A Discourse on Ethics, Data, & Technology

Limited Capacity seats available

Northeastern's entrance is located on the NORTH corner of Terry and Republican. 401 Terry Ave N Suite 103

Join our debate: Is the discussion around ethics keeping up to the pace of technological advancements? Should ethics shape what we develop and what are the trade-offs? Topics that will be explored include: - Security and privacy and data: a shared responsibility and the important role that the tech sector, customers, companies and governments play in protecting and defending the internet -- and ourselves from data breaches. - AI and machine learning: How do we as developers and consumers deal with AIs being developed for usages we might not perceive as ethical.

Moderators

Camille Morhardt

Director, Compute Lifecycle Assurance, Intel

Speakers

Mara Arenson

Attorney, Microsoft

Sara Bromling

Cyber Security Analyst, Rubica

Rachael Tatman

Data Scientist, Kaggle

Peter Temes

Dean and Campus Chief Executive, Northeastern University

Wednesday April 25, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Northeastern University

Port 1 - Tech Mavens

12:00pm PDT

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

Limited Capacity filling up

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

Katie van Zyl

Senior Director, Digital Care, GoDaddy

Speakers

Billie Sue Chafins

Director, Software Development, Hulu

Ted Dworkin

Senior Vice President, Product Management and Customer Experience, Sonos

Laura Grit

Sr Principal Technical Program Manager, Amazon

Thais Melo

Uber Tech Lead Manager, Google

Wednesday April 25, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
ATLAS Workbase

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

12:00pm PDT

Strategic Storytelling: Take Your Message from the High Seas to Ship Shape

Limited Capacity filling up

Session Address:
501 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109
The East part is key. Capital One’s logo is not yet on the building but there is Pro Sports Club signage. When you arrive come up to the 4th floor. There is a building garage with public parking but South Lake Union is a hot area so it’s not guaranteed.

Why should we say yes to the adventure of telling stories in business? Aren’t facts
and data simply enough? Well-told stories cut through the noise, build community,
transport ideas, create understanding, and inspire action. But great storytelling is
easier said than done. Learn how to navigate the art of the business narrative, how
to get your key audiences on board, and how to craft a compelling message so you
won’t be lost at Storytelling Sea.

This session will also be offered on the Eastside at Ebay April 25 at 5:30pm

Speakers

Laura Williams Argilla

Director of Product Management, Adobe

Paul Estes

Senior Director | Microsoft Office, Microsoft

Catharine Gately

C-level Communications Strategist & Executive Personal Brands, Simplicity Consulting

I work with C-level tech executives and global luminaries to discover, strategize, create, and deliver their most powerful narratives to drive business results and inspire audiences to action. I believe Narrative is a strategy, Storytelling is a skill, and everyone is a storyteller... Read More →

Sheila Oh

Director, Computer Science Fundamentals Certificate Program, Seattle University

Ross Smith

Director of Engineering, Skype in the Classroom,, Microsoft

Vidya Srinivasan

Senior PM at Microsoft, Microsoft

Wednesday April 25, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Capital One

Port 5 - Career Acumen

3:00pm PDT

Co-Storm Interactive: Connections That Make Things Happen

Limited Capacity filling up

There is a parking garage under the building: 645 Elliott Avenue West
(entrance off W Roy Street) Sorry there is no parking validation. Additionally, bus routes 19, 24, and 33 stop either right in front of the building or directly across the street. Routes D, 15, 17, 18, 19, 24, and 33 also stop within a 10 minute walk from our building.

The concept behind CO-STORM is about how much more we’re able to see (brainstorm) for each other, than we see for ourselves. There’s a creative back and forth energy in getting outside your own head. Fresh eyes see our blind spots and filters. They also mirror back to us what’s really going on. A CO-STORMER’S insight can clarify what steps to take next, highlight your strengths, and make you see what should happen naturally. It can solve a problem in your field with an outsider’s perspective.
During this session, each participant will have time for an introduction and a chance to discuss their most pressing pain point, project or idea in a safe and empowering environment. Your CO-STORM partners will brainstorm with you on solutions and positive changes.

This session includes an incredible group of mentors, ready to give back by sharing their experience and expertise.

Speakers

Helen Bakker

VP, Technology, Expedia Group

Helen is an energizing and passionate leader who thrives in aligning business strategy to platform design and architecture. With Expedia Group for 14 years, Helen is currently Vice President of Technology and Analytics for Expedia Group Media Solutions. Her career, always rooted... Read More →

Mamtha Banerjee

Vice President of Technology at Expedia, Expedia

Mamtha Banerjee is a tech intrapreneur; She is currently Vice President, Technology at Expedia Group, where she leads the foundational capabilities enabling contributors and consumers on Expedia’s Travel Platform. Most recently, she was leading core applications and services for... Read More →

Nicole Buchanan

Executive Director, Ada Academy

Connie Chung

Sr. Director, Global Product Management, Expedia

Shelly Dallman

Director, Information Technology, Expedia

Leslie Ekas

VP Technology, Expedia

Gina Fresquez

Founder / Speaker / Author / Coach, Gina Fresquez International / Lodima Leadership Collective

Lori Hofmann

Director, Expedia Group

Dilpreet Kaur

Founder, Think.Act

Elle Lin

Director Technology, Expedia

Keela Robison

VP, Global Product, Expedia

Keela Robison is Vice President, Global Products at Expedia where she oversees product strategy for growth business lines including car rentals, cruise, rail, and local activities. Prior to Expedia, she was CEO of Urbanspoon, a top mobile app and website providing restaurant reviews... Read More →

Liz Sheperd

Vice President, Enterprise Data Platforms and Services, Expedia

Ambika Singh

CEO, Armoire

Wendy White

Vice President, Expedia

Wendy White is vice president of marketing for Egencia, Expedia Group business travel. A business-to-business tech executive, she’s led teams all over the globe for tech giants Intel, Motorola, Microsoft and CenturyLink. Wendy has a deep connection to both the startup landscape... Read More →

Wednesday April 25, 2018 3:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Expedia

Port 5 - Career Acumen

5:30pm PDT

Shifting the Culture In a Male-Dominated Industry

Session Address:
501 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109
The East part is key. Capital One’s logo is not yet on the building but there is Pro Sports Club signage. When you arrive come up to the 4th floor. There is a building garage with public parking but South Lake Union is a hot area so it’s not guaranteed.

In today's male-dominated technology industry how do leaders intentionally decide to support inclusion and shift workplace culture? The need to be more inclusive of different races, genders, ages, abilities, orientations, and more is at a tipping point. During this session we will discuss the practical steps some leaders have taken to support diversity in the workplace, what risks they have taken, roadblocks they have encountered, and the tough decisions they have made to promote a more inclusive culture.

Moderators

Katie Oertli Mooney

Director, Jennifer Brown Consulting

Speakers

Craig Campbell

Director of Tech Recruiting, Uber

Larry Colagiovanni

General Manager of eBay Seattle and Senior Director of New Product Development, eBay

Gail Giacobbe

VP Product and Experience Design, GoDaddy

Gail Giacobbe is a VP of Product and Experience Design at GoDaddy, where her mission is to give entrepreneurs the tools and insights needed to start, grow and thrive in their ventures. Prior to GoDaddy, Gail spent 15 years at Microsoft where she led product management teams in Skype... Read More →

JoAnne Kennedy

Vice President Technology, Nordstrom

JoAnne Kennedy is vice president of technology at Nordstrom. In this strategic and operational role for the fashion retailer, JoAnne and her team are responsible for driving technology success for multiple departments – including credit, human resources and finance – through modern... Read More →

Preston Taylor

Director of Product Management, Socrata

Wednesday April 25, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Capital One

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

5:30pm PDT

Leading from Every Chair: Multi-Dimensional Leadership

Enter the building through the main entrance. Take the elevators down to the first floor and follow the signs.

Join this session to hear from conventional and unconventional leaders with vastly different leadership styles. Learn how they navigate rough waters, let out the sails to capture momentum and drop anchor when necessary. Bonus: Learn why you are already a leader, even if you don’t currently recognize it.

Moderators

Monica Guzman

Cofounder, The Evergrey

Monica Guzman is a 2016 Nieman Fellow and the co-founder of The Evergrey, a daily Seattle newsletter that connects locals to their city. She writes for Geekwire, the Daily Beast, and CJR.

Speakers

Bridget Frey

CTO, Redfin

Brian Gill

SVP Technology, Nordstrom

Julie Jensen

Sr. Director, Capital One

Julie Jensen, Capital One’s Senior Director of Digital Design, is based here in Seattle. Julie earned her Bachelor’s of Science in English from the University of New Mexico and her Masters of Science in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington. She... Read More →

Smitha Shyam

Senior Software Engineering Manager, Uber

Wednesday April 25, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
thinkspace SEATTLE

Port 3 - Leadership

5:30pm PDT

Embracing Your Inner Wonder Woman

Moderators

Taryn Varady

Founder, Ignite Strategies

Speakers

Bianca Blom

Founder, LINJA

SaraBeth Donaghy

Project & Program Manager, Facebook

Shadae Holmes

UI Lead & Senior Software Engineer, Chef Software

Shadae Holmes has an established career in front end architecture and development, with a focus in accessibility best practices. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive and diverse cultures, and works to create safer spaces for underrepresented people in tech.

Dona Sarkar

Chief #NinjaCat-Windows Insider Program, Microsoft

Janice Wilson

Software Developer Engineer, Amazon

Wednesday April 25, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Facebook

Port 4 - All About You

5:30pm PDT

EASTSIDE - Strategic Storytelling: Take Your Message from the High Seas to Ship Shape

Why should we say yes to the adventure of telling stories in business? Aren’t facts and data simply enough? Well-told stories cut through the noise, build community, transport ideas, create understanding, and inspire action. But great storytelling is easier said than done. Learn how to navigate the art of the business narrative, how to get your key audiences on board, and how to craft a compelling message so you won’t be lost at Storytelling Sea.

One Bellevue Center (corner of 108th & 4th Avenue)
411-108th Avenue NE Bellevue, WA 98004
Parking is paid for by the attendee.
OBC parking is directly after the building (on the 4th Street Side)
Pass the building on your right
Next immediate right into alleyway (sign on your left for Potbelly’s and hi rise apartment building) and next right into the garage
Other garages in the area:
https://www.bestparking.com/bellevue-parking/

Speakers

Laura Williams Argilla

Director of Product Management, Adobe

Paul Estes

Senior Director | Microsoft Office, Microsoft

Catharine Gately

C-level Communications Strategist & Executive Personal Brands, Simplicity Consulting

Sheila Oh

Director, Computer Science Fundamentals Certificate Program, Seattle University

Ross Smith

Director of Engineering, Skype in the Classroom,, Microsoft

Vidya Srinivasan

Senior PM at Microsoft, Microsoft

Wednesday April 25, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Ebay - Bellevue

Port 5 - Career Acumen

10:00am PDT

#WhatWouldChadDo?™ Negotiate, Navigate, & Neutralize Situations

Limited Capacity filling up

Note from Facebook
If you have been joining the WiT Regatta at Facebook this week, we have moved this session one street over our new building on WESTLAKE.
We look forward to welcoming you to our NEW office building. Our building is brand new and may not show up on maps yet. Use this address for rideshare and trip planning:
1101 Westlake Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
IMPORTANT: We must ask you to sign an NDA to access our offices. Please bring your photo ID and check in with security when you arrive.

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 how to negotiate, navigate and neutralize these situations. Let’s take a page out of our male colleagues’ playbook and ask ourselves “#whatwouldchaddo?”

Moderators

Taryn Varady

Founder, Ignite Strategies

Speakers

Marleigh Chiles

Engagement and Release Program Manager, Microsoft

Miriam Cortes

Full Stack Developer, Zillow

Kim van der Hoek

Founder/Director, Spice Consultancy, Women In Tech Regatta Amsterdam

Dyana Langley-Robinson

Director, Sales Operations, F5 Networks

Nick Peddy

VP, Engineering, Capital One

Nick Peddy leads the Emerging Products team in Capital One's retail bank, which is transforming the way we think about banking. Previously, Nick was steeped in the odyssey that is California’s Silicon Valley startup world, building furiously and wearing many hats as the CTO/Head... Read More →

Traca Savadogo

CEO, Tall Poppy

Thursday April 26, 2018 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Facebook WESTLAKE 1101 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Port 4 - All About You

12:00pm PDT

The Right Crew: Secrets to a Successful Ally/Mentee Partnership

Session Address:
501 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109
The East part is key. Capital One’s logo is not yet on the building but there is Pro Sports Club signage. When you arrive come up to the 4th floor. There is a building garage with public parking but South Lake Union is a hot area so it’s not guaranteed.

We all have blind spots when navigating through our careers. Through proactive ally/mentee relationships these blind spots can be addressed. Get the inside scoop from our panel of successful ally/mentee teams. You’ll hear how their partnerships started, how they supported each other and the positive impact they had on each other. Learn what helped make these ally/mentee relationships thrive and how you can apply them in your own ally/mentee relationship.

Moderators

Jessica Loché-Eggert

Head of Innovation & Culture, The Riveter

Speakers

Laurie Brinkly

Executive Assistant, WTIA

Scott Ehnert

CTO, Moz, Inc

Engineering and Operations leader with technical background in Network Engineering and datacenters. Focused on developing leaders, maturing organizations, and fostering healthy workplace culture.15 years of network operations / network engineering. 10 years of project management.9... Read More →

Tehut Getahun

Software Engineer, Getty

Julie Pham

VP, Community Engagement & Marketing, Washington Technology Industry Association

Cambridge-trained historian, Forbes.com blogger, venture philanthropist, and marketing professional with a superior track record in driving results in fast-paced, demanding environments and in influencing diverse stakeholders. Harvard Business School's Young American Leaders Program... Read More →

Amy Smidutz

Director Of Engineering at Moz, Moz

I am very passionate about making the workplace pleasant for everyone. I want to solve problems with pay equality and create opportunities for women and people of color in tech and in leadership. I think we need better tactics and we need more investment to make this a reality. Please... Read More →

Cynthia Tee

Senior Vice President of Engineering, Smartsheet

Thursday April 26, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Capital One

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

12:00pm PDT

Jump Ship: How to Successfully Change Careers Midstream

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Enter the building through the main entrance. Take the elevators down to the first floor and follow the signs.

What floated your boat early in your career may give you a sinking feeling now. Seasoned professionals will discuss how they navigated a successful career change and the impact it has had on their professional and personal lives.

Speakers

Mamtha Banerjee

Vice President of Technology at Expedia, Expedia

Mary Blalock

Owner, Mary Blalock - Career Coaching

Keyana Corliss

Director, Public Relations, Tableau Software

Robin C. Martin

Chief of Staff for Retail & Direct Investing Technology group., Capital One

Amanda O'Shannessy

Community Marketing Manager, LiquidPlanner

Jerod Rubalcava

Executive Director of Professional Development, Metis

Thursday April 26, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
thinkspace SEATTLE

Port 5 - Career Acumen

3:00pm PDT

When Women Turn On Each Other: Why This Happens & How to Fix It

Note from Facebook
Session Address: 1101 Dexter Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Enter the first floor lobby, go past Starbucks on the right, and continue to the end of the lobby. Follow signs to your session. IMPORTANT: We must ask you to sign an NDA to access our offices. Please bring your photo ID and check in with security when you arrive.
We are pleased to make our lobby available to use as a co-working space before and after our sessions.

We’ve all seen it: women undermining other women. It happens more often than we’d like to admit and we ask, “Why would they do that?” Join this session to hear from experts in the field of female psychology and women leaders to understand what drives this behavior and how we can work together to change it.

Speakers

Nicole Buchanan

Executive Director, Ada Academy

Cynthia Engel

Professor, Central Washington University

Leslie Feinzaig

Claire LeBeau

Assistant Professor, Seattle University

Janice Lichtenwaldt

Leadership & Professional Development Coach, AIC Coaching

I've spent the past 25 years navigating emerging technology businesses from online city guides (CitySearch.com) to online ticketing (Ticketmaster.com), online travel (Expedia) to building online communities (Allrecipes.com) focusing on marketing communications, product development... Read More →

Cynthia Tee

Senior Vice President of Engineering, Smartsheet

Thursday April 26, 2018 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Facebook

Port 3 - Leadership

5:30pm PDT

In Their Own Words: Stories of Underrepresented Voices in Tech

Session Address:
501 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109
The East part is key. Capital One’s logo is not yet on the building but there is Pro Sports Club signage. When you arrive come up to the 4th floor. There is a building garage with public parking but South Lake Union is a hot area so it’s not guaranteed.

What if your identity didn't fit into the conventional confines of the workplace? What part of yourself do you hide? What part do you refuse to hide? How can you help colleagues and employers accept who you are? Join us for a meaningful evening of learning and storytelling, as we listen to thirteen diverse speakers from our community answer the question, "What is your identity and how do you express it at work?" Gain a different perspective as each storyteller shares their personal experiences in a series of 5 minute flash talks.

Speakers

Caty Caldwell

Senior Technical Program Manager, Meta

Zina Fatemi

PM Launch Manager at Microsoft, Microsoft

Salehah Hassan

Technical Recruiting Lead, Facebook

Sophia Lee

Developer at Microsoft and Transgender Rights Activist, Microsoft

Kara Ottewell

Software Development Manager, Amazon

Thursday April 26, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Capital One

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

5:30pm PDT

EASTSIDE - Take Your Seat at the Table: Building Credibility

To grow your career you need to be part of the conversation and have a seat at the table. But how do you get the seat? During this session learn the importance of building personal and professional credibility and presenting your most confident and authentic self.

Moderators

Lisa Hufford

Founder & CEO, Simplicity Consulting

Speakers

Colleen Fukui-Sketchley

Sydne Mullings

Senior Director, Business Process Engineering, Microsoft

Amy Nelson

CEO, The Riveter

Shannon Swift

Founder/CEO, Swift HR Solutions, Inc.

Shannon Swift is the CEO of Swift HR Solutions, Inc., a provider of strategic HR services and products for early stage companies. Shannon has more than twenty years of human resources experience, combined with successful executive level management and business development roles. Prior... Read More →

Rick Wong

CEO/Founder, The Five Abilities LLC

Thursday April 26, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Simplicity - Kirkland

Port 3 - Leadership

5:30pm PDT

Be Flawsome! Turn Flaws into Awesome

Note from Facebook
Session Address: 1101 Dexter Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Enter the first floor lobby, go past Starbucks on the right, and continue to the end of the lobby. Follow signs to your session. IMPORTANT: We must ask you to sign an NDA to access our offices. Please bring your photo ID and check in with security when you arrive.
We are pleased to make our lobby available to use as a co-working space before and after our sessions.

Tyra Banks coined “Flawsome” to describe someone who embraces their “flaws” and knows they are awesome regardless. Nobody wins when you play small. During this session you’ll hear from people who have overcome tidal waves by making intentional choices to be bold, stand out, make mistakes, and still show up. Learn how leaders at multiple career stages sailed into a world without limitations, embraced their greatness and decided to say #notsorry. Following a 45min panel, stay for an audience breakout and interactive workshop where you will explore and discuss how “Flawsome” plays into your life.

Moderators

Jen Hope

Coach for Executives and Rising Leaders / Consultant / Speaker, Hey Jen Hope

One part marketing executive, one part loving ass-kicker, and

Speakers

Tony Donohoe

SVP and CTO, Expedia Worldwide Engineering, Expedia

Debbie Hutchings

Director, Commercial Performance Media, Microsoft

Nora Matson

Client Solutions Manager, Facebook

Jeannine Woodyear

Global Marketing & Enablement Lead, Microsoft.com

Thursday April 26, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Facebook

Port 4 - All About You

6:00pm PDT

Sail High for the Cloud: For Women Tech Entrepreneurs & Startups

Plot your course, set your sails and anchors away. Hear from an expert panel on what it takes to prepare, launch and sustain Cloud and Technology based start-ups (B2B, B2C). Find out about access to programs, mentors and accelerators to help prepare your way and chart your course. There will be sunny smooth sailing days but you will need to sharpen your skills to make it through the waves, winds and sometime whales that come your way. We will break up into small groups to share lessons and experiences on how you can map your way to a treasure chest of success.

Speakers

Carrie Francey

Vice President Strategic Alliances, Hewlett Packard

Sonal Mane

National Programs Director, Microsoft for Startups, Microsoft

Sonal is the National Programs Director for the Microsoft for Startups team. In her role, she has responsibilities for strategic corporate initiatives to create a portfolio of high potential startups. Sonal focuses on extending the assets and resources from Microsoft among entrepreneurial... Read More →

Kristen Miller

CEO, Stylyze

Amy Ring

CEO/Founder, PerXai, Inc.

Elizabeth Scallon

Director, CoMotion Labs at the University of Washington

Associate Director of UW CoMotion Labs & MakerSpace

Jacqueline Touma

Founder & CEO, Curious Enterprises LLC

My heart is marketing, my head is technology and my passion is innovation. I have worked with and in organizations from Fortune 50 to Fortune 500 businesses, to start-ups and individual entrepreneurs. Having started my career in Bell Canada, I moved to the US in 2001 to work for Microsoft... Read More →

Thursday April 26, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Juno Therapeutics

Port 3 - Leadership

6:00pm PDT

Tech Sales 2.0: Diversifying teams and attracting women to sales professions

The digital age has caused a seismic irrevocable shift in the buyer/seller dynamic and the B2B sales landscape. Today’s buyers are savvier than ever and no longer rely on the vendor to access information and drive the process. This means that successful sales today looks very different than it did even 5 years ago. You need to adjust accordingly and reimagine sales with a fresh playbook. The female brain is wired to excel at many of the exact skills needed to sell effectively. Join this panel discussion for insights on the new sales world order, the skills needed to succeed, how and why women statistically are more successful than men at selling. Let’s change the fact that women only account for 11% of tech sales leadership.

Speakers

Lydia Frank

Vice President, Content Strategy, PayScale

Cassandra Gholston

CEO, PartnerTap

Cassandra is responsible for the strategic vision of PartnerTap. Prior to founding PartnerTap Cassandra spent her career in sales as a top performer in SaaS companies. She obtained multiple President’s Clubs and awards. She is driven to make the jobs of salespeople more lucrative... Read More →

Autum Grimm

CRO & co-founder, PartnerTap

Autum Grimm is a Co-founder/Chief Revenue Officer for Partnertap. She is responsible for sales, demand generation, and business development. Over the past 15 years Autum has spent her time both selling to domestic and international companies as well as leading and developing top... Read More →

JoAnne Jaspan

Founder, Principal, Jaspan Consulting

Samuel Sunderaraj

VP Sales, SkillJar

Rakhi Voria

Chief of Staff | Sr. Business Manager to Corporate Vice President of Inside Sales, Microsoft

Thursday April 26, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
ATLAS Workbase

Port 3 - Leadership

6:00am PDT

RISE & SHINE! Energy + Health + Yoga + Music

Don’t forget to join us bright and early tomorrow at 6 a.m. for high-energy beats, low impact yoga & breakfast at @facebook #Seattle! #SEAWIT18 #WITRegatta Please bring your yoga mat.

Our friends at Facebook are excited to help you get your day started right. Join us for high-energy beats, low impact yoga, as well as a complementary espresso bar, smoothie bar, power foods…all before hitting the office.
Note from Facebook
Session Address: 1101 Dexter Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Enter the first floor lobby, go past Starbucks on the right, and continue to the end of the lobby. Follow signs to your session. IMPORTANT: We must ask you to sign an NDA to access our offices. Please bring your photo ID and check in with security when you arrive.
We are pleased to make our lobby available to use as a co-working space before and after our sessions.

Friday April 27, 2018 6:00am - 8:00am PDT
Facebook

Port 4 - All About You

12:00pm PDT

Integrating Career and Parenthood: The Tension, Balance, & Love

Limited Capacity filling up

Note from Facebook
Session Address: 1101 Dexter Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Enter the first floor lobby, go past Starbucks on the right, and continue to the end of the lobby. Follow signs to your session. IMPORTANT: We must ask you to sign an NDA to access our offices. Please bring your photo ID and check in with security when you arrive.
We are pleased to make our lobby available to use as a co-working space before and after our sessions.

Learn and discuss different stages of parenthood, staying true to your career and passions, nurturing and growing families. Parenthood has evolved with gender balance dramatically over the past 40 years. Workplaces are trying to keep up. During this session hear from working parents who have learned how to leverage flexible work schedules, remote working, setting boundaries, and to manage their commitments while staying true to themselves.

Speakers

Jane C. Allen

Partner/Principal,, PwC

Sara Bromling

Cyber Security Analyst, Rubica

Nicole Grogan

Chief People Officer,, Intellectual Ventures

Monica Guzman

Cofounder, The Evergrey

Monica Guzman is a 2016 Nieman Fellow and the co-founder of The Evergrey, a daily Seattle newsletter that connects locals to their city. She writes for Geekwire, the Daily Beast, and CJR.

Renee Metty

CEO, With Pause

Anna Steffeney

Founder, LeaveLogic

Anna Steffeney is the founder of LeaveLogic, which is focused on improving the experience and lives for working families. A recognized thought leader in parental leave policies, she is profiled in television and print media. Most recently, Anna gave a TEDx talk discussing the role... Read More →

Friday April 27, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Facebook

Port 4 - All About You

12:00pm PDT

Captaining Your Own MentorSHIP

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Enter the building through the main entrance. Take the elevators down to the first floor and follow the signs.

Hear from a cross-generational panel of Women Tech leaders in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s about navigating the world of mentoring.

This session is also offered Tuesday April 24 at 5:30pm on the Eastside at Ebay.

Moderators

Dona Sarkar

Chief #NinjaCat-Windows Insider Program, Microsoft

Speakers

Dilpreet Kaur

Founder, Think.Act

Jeremy Modjeska

Director of Engineering, Moz

Gillian Muessig

General Partner, Outlines Venture Group

Gillian Muessig is the Managing Director of the global gender-lens investment fund ‘Sybilla Masters Fund’; cofounder of both Moz, the world’s most popular search marketing software and brettapproved, the world’s fastest growing standardized accessibility rating, review, and... Read More →

Kara Ottewell

Software Development Manager, Amazon

Yan Yan

Senior Data Scientist, Amperity

Friday April 27, 2018 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
thinkspace SEATTLE

Port 5 - Career Acumen

3:30pm PDT

Future Fashion: How Tech is Nurturing an Ethics Makeover

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Join us for a panel discussion on how technology is being employed to elevate the ethics of a massive consumer industry. From product side and distribution to fair representation and access to launch, tech is providing new avenues for more responsible business practices in the fashion industry. Find out if this could become a reality in your industry or just join us to up your Conscious Consumer game!

Speakers

Lauren Belfor

Co-Founder, Velé

Bianca Blom

Founder, LINJA

Candice Caldwell

Chief Strategist, Reveon

Ambika Singh

CEO, Armoire

Brian Watkins

Co-Founder, CEO, Rep the Squad

Friday April 27, 2018 3:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Capital One Cafe

Port 2 - Inclusive Culture

6:00pm PDT

Progressive Closing Celebration at the Capital One Café

Progressive Closing Celebration at the Capital One Café
Enjoy the last day of the WiT Regatta Week at the Closing Celebration. Start at Capital One Café and move to The Collective or vice versa. Participate in a variety of exciting pop in events: Complimentary professional headshots by Sombilon Photography (including makeup prep by Ashli Danielle), fashion exhibits by Linja & Armoire...Connect, nibble & sip with new and old friends. Don't forget - put one of these closing celebration sessions on your My Sched, but stop by both.

Friday April 27, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Capital One Cafe

Closing Celebration

6:00pm PDT

Progressive Closing Celebration at the Collective

Progressive Closing Celebration at the Collective
Enjoy the last day of the WiT Regatta Week at the Closing Celebration. Start at The Collective and move to Capital One Café or vice versa. Participate in a variety of exciting pop in events: virtual reality demo by Expedia Group, résumé review & job seeking advice by Team Red Dog candlelight meditation by Wade, workplace hacks by Kinetic, work culture redefinement by CHORD, gratitude station by Reclaim Your Wild and photo booth by The Evergrey! Connect with new and old friends at the connection cafe OR just relax while will sipping on drinks. Don't forget - put one of these closing celebration sessions on your My Sched, but stop by both!

Friday April 27, 2018 6:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
The Collective

Closing Celebration