Working in the technology space presents a number of unique challenges for women. Come and listen to this inspiring panel of experts discuss these challenges and techniques they have used to navigate through corporate politics, gender stereotypes and other issues. Learn also how they have leveraged their own successes to support other women in the workplace and beyond.

This is a free event but registration is a must for security reasons and closes on February 7th. NO EXCEPTIONS

About Our Speaker(s)

Teri Bennett (Moderator), Assistant Executive Officer (retired), Information Technology Services Branch, California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). As Assistant Executive Officer, Teri Bennett oversaw the information technology (IT) operations for the nation's largest public pension fund including nearly 1000 staff and consultants and the CalPERS Data Center -- a full-functioning computer facility. She was responsible for setting the IT strategic direction for the fund; recommending IT policy for CalPERS programs, operations and services; and, providing consultation and advice to CalPERS Board of Administration and Executive Staff. She was, also, responsible for CalPERS $500 million legacy modernization initiative to develop a consolidated information technology platform. Ms. Bennett has more than 30 years of experience in the information technology industry; during that time, she has seen significant change in both technology and the role women play in that environment. She was an Executive Member of the Oracle Fusion Middleware Strategy Council and served as one of the first Network Directors for the Sacramento Chapter of WITI. Currently, she sits on the Boards for St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children, St. John’s Circle, Not Just Animals! Inc. and Friends of Homeward Bound.

Grace Davis, Intel. Grace joined Intel in 1999 in Santa Clara, California. In her current role, she runs Corporate Affairs for the Western Region which includes California, Nevada and Hawaii. The Corporate Affairs Group is responsible for community and education relations, governmental affairs and communications. In her previous role as Intel’s Government Affairs Manager, she worked with officials at the local, state and federal levels. In this role, she was responsible for analyzing legislation and developing strategies on a wide range of key public policy issues. Grace has represented the company with several state and federal organizations. She has served on multiple boards including the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, Civil Justice Association of California, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Davis has over 17 years of experience in government relations. Prior to Intel she was the Executive Director of the American Electronics Association in the Bay Area; responsible for one third of the association’s global membership. The AEA Council is responsible for sales, media, membership retention services and representing the members on policy issues. Preceding the AEA, she spent four years in Washington DC working for a Senior Member of Congress on a wide range of policy issues. Her background includes policy work in the areas of trade, human rights, foreign policy and press

Bonita Banducci, Santa Clara University. Bonita teaches Gender and Engineering for Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering Graduate Program in the Core Curriculum, Engineering and Society. She is a Gender expert on how to retain and promote women in the Engineering Workplace for Mentornet, which provides professional mentors to women and underrepresented minorities in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) majors in hundreds of universities throughout the United States. She is President of Banducci Consulting based in Hayward. Her original research in one of Silicon Valley's Fortune 500 companies “What is the Contribution Women Make that Could be the Strategic Advantage in the Global Marketplace?” launched her specialization in Unmasking the Gender Effect and Gender Competence. Banducci is an Associate of the Institute for Women’s Leadership for the Women Leading Change Program. She is a founding faculty of Santa Clara University’s Global Women's Leadership Network, sponsored by the Leavey School of Business and has been faculty and coach for the Women Leaders for the World Program. She taught Leadership Experience at the Leavey School of Business.

Carol Nye, SMUD. Carol has over 25 years of experience in the utility industry. Currently, Carol is a Business Technology Program Manager at SMUD. In this capacity, she manages a team of Information Technology analysts. The team is directly involved in the implementation of some of SMUD’s smart grid initiatives; including an Outage Management System (OMS) upgrade, OMS mobile application upgrade, OMS-SCADA integration, and implementation of a dashboard for situational awareness visualization. In addition, Carol oversees other business critical system upgrades and applications support for SMUD’s Geographic Information System, mobile work management application, SAP Plant Maintenance application and other smaller applications. Carol holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Golden Gate University.

Heather Howell, IBM. Heather has over 15 years experience as a Human Resources Professional leveraging her skills across numerous HR functions including Talent, Learning, and Diversity. In her current role at IBM, she is responsible for IBM's Global Women's Initiatives which includes driving programs that strengthen IBM’s brand as an employer of choice for women. She works with colleagues from around the globe to ensure IBM continues to attract, develop, and retain women across all levels of the corporation. She is a sought after resource for diversity and talent management best practices. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Chico, and lives with her husband and two children in the Sacramento area.

Savita Farooqui, Managing Partner, SymSoft. Savita Farooqui is the Founder and CEO of SymSoft Solutions, a Sacramento-based web development and systems integration company that believes in “Creation through Collaboration”, and strives to connect citizens, businesses and government. Savita is passionate about open data and semantic web, and its potential in connecting data and creating information beyond what is possible in isolation. Under Savita’s direction SymSoft has delivered many popular, award-winning applications that have been recognized by the US Department of Labor and the Center for Digital Government. Savita has been recognized by the White house as “Champion of Change” for her work in technology and innovation. Savita is a member of the California DGS Small Business Advisory Council, PMI Government Forum, IEEE and ACM, and serves on the board of National Priorities Project. She holds an MS in Computer Science.

Event Date and Venue

This event will be held from 5:15 on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at:

Intel Corporate Office, building FM-7, room FM7 - 103
1900 Prairie City Road
Folsom, California 95630
Map

5:15 - 5:45 Refreshments and Networking
5:45 - 7:00 Panel Discussion and Q&A

Pre-registration for this event is closed and on-site registrations will not be accepted.

About Our Partner(s)

Women @Intel Network (WIN) is one of Intel’s employee groups. The mission is to demonstrate the value of a diverse workforce by encouraging women to achieve their full potential in their careers, in technology and as leaders. WIN strives to achieve this mission through a variety of programs and events. Some examples are leadership conferences, mentoring, networking events, professional development and outreach programs.

The Sacramento WITI Leadership Team is delighted to be partnering with WIN in this event, and we thank the WIN Leadership team for their support.

Contact Us

For more info regarding registration or event details, please contact Paula Davy ([email protected]).

For more details about pre-registration, contact Tech Support.