Network Event Details - WITI Dallas/Ft. Worth

Hyped vs. Realistic Tech Trends in Dallas

Thursday, July 30, 2015

6:30 - 8:30

Hello and Happy Sunshine and Summer-time everyone! Whether in your daily work or through networking - are you discussing the tech trends here in Dallas?

Dallas is a bustling job market and the tech community is making a name for itself nationwide. From startups to Fortune 50, are companies here in Dallas quickly adopting the newest technologies? Although we're making waves, is the DFW metroplex behind, on pace or leading technology innovation? That's exactly what we're going to dive into further in this next WITI event.

"Hyped vs. Realistic Tech Trends in Dallas"

We will have a panel of technology leaders ranging from the hands-on Engineering and Architecture perspectives to Executive strategy. We want this to be an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about the tools being recommended and ideas being discussed versus what is actually being bought, implemented and ultimately leading innovation in this market. Many sources have deemed the Dallas/Fort Worth area to be the next Silicon Valley so let's discuss how we're doing and what steps we're making towards the future!

Featured Speaker(s)

Our esteemed panelists include:

Diana Hennel, VP of Infrastructure
Diana is currently Vice President of Infrastructure at Targetbase, a data-driven, strategic communications company. She brings more than 18 years of technology leadership and executive management with expertise in building highly scalable, mission critical software solutions. In her role as VP of Technology for ARGO Data Resources, Diana delivered software solutions to the nation's top financial intuitions, cutting millions of dollars in transportation costs from corporate budgets. Diana holds a Master's degree in computer science from the University of Illinois.

Sarah Strobhar, Cloud Services Executive
Sarah has almost 10 years of business development and consulting experience in the technology industry, including previously serving as Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Computer Generated Solutions, a large managed services provider in New York City, and currently working here in Dallas as a Cloud Services Executive at Amazon Web Services, the world’s largest public cloud and infrastructure as a service provider. Her role at AWS entails account management and advisory for Fortune 2000 companies in Texas and Oklahoma, including helping clients assess, design, transform, and evangelize their cloud strategy. Her specialties include application assessment, architecture and design, public-private-hybrid cloud adoption, DevOps, and blue-green deployment.

Taylor Schrang, Program Manager
Taylor is the Program Manager at Collide Village, an accelerator focused on growing business using evidence based entrepreneurship in Addison. She has been involved in the start up community since 2013. She caught the bug for entrepreneurship while serving in Peace Corps Paraguay where she launched a nationwide youth business plan competition. Her background is in marketing and community development having worked in a wide range of fields from advertising to sports media prior to entering tech. Twitter: @sastre_desastre

Erica Carey, Director of Portfolio Program Management
Erica is currently leading strategic business and development teams supporting operational functions for various departments, including Customer Experience, for Neiman Marcus. She has spent the last 15 years in roles centered around technology, strategic planning, product and portfolio management, business development and client relationship management.