Channel - VU Women in Tech Conference - 2022

7th Annual VU Women in Tech Conference Saturday, January 29th 9 am to 2 pm Highlighting quantum computing and other emerging technologies with 15 speakers, 6 breakout sessions, and 2 Keynotes Attend in person or virtually Keynote speaker, Special Agent Jessica Nye will share with us her journey from Villanova to the FBI and her experience working cyber-related matters such as computer intrusion, intellectual property rights, economic espionage and other investigative work.  Hear easy-to-understand terms of how quantum computing works and how we can expect the technology to change our future and disrupt various industries from artificial intelligence and medicine to logistics and finance, from Keynote speaker, Jessica Pointing. Gain Forward Momentum from April Walker, a Technology Evangelist at Microsoft, in a conversation about what skills are needed to succeed in tech, how Microsoft is transforming their culture to be more inclusive and a powerful force for good. Be inspired by a group of extraordinary women that are Changemakers in Tech as you hear about their journey and continued commitment to bring positive change to the tech space.

2/8/2022 1:42:00 PM

Channel Videos

Afternoon Keynote

Jessica Pointing, Quantum Computing Expert, University of Oxford ​Jessica Pointing is pursuing her PhD in Physics at the University of Oxford specializing in quantum computing, and previously was a PhD student in Computer Science at Stanford University as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar. She received her bachelor's degree in Physics and Computer Science at Harvard University with high honors as a John Harvard Scholar, after being a bachelor's student at MIT. Jessica was selected for Forbes 30 under 30 in Science and was selected to be a TEDx speaker. She was selected to be the council fellow for the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Quantum Applications. She has interned as a quantum researcher at KBR at NASA Ames Research Center, software engineer at Google, management consultant at McKinsey and Company, investment banker at Goldman Sachs, and strategist at Morgan Stanley. Jessica founded the Stanford Quantum Computing Association and the Harvard College Quantum Computing Association. She won the IBM Q Quantum Computing Award for winning, with a team, IBM's first quantum computing hackathon. She was also a prize-winner at the Creative Destruction Lab quantum computing hackathon. She has been awarded the McKinsey Women's Impact Award and has been named a Google Anita Borg Scholar. She has also won scholarships from Microsoft, Palantir, Adobe Research, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Neo, Society of Women Engineers Scholar and Society of Geophysicists.

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1/29/2022 5:00:00 PM

Connecting the Dots from One Founder to 25,000 TechGirlz

Gain key insights from the 2021 Technical.ly Philly Tech Community Leader of the Year, Welson-Rossman, as she shares her experiences. Learn how TechGiriz.org reaches 25,000 middle-school girls in 20 countries and hear how her latest innovation in the healthcare space is helping COVID-19 long-haulers. Philadelphia Inquirer's Arvedlund will drive the conversation, leaving you energized, inspired Tracey Welson-Rossman is a sought-after expert, advisor, and advocate for women in technology. She is co-founder and CMO of Philadelphia-based software consulting firm Chariot Solutions and founder of TechGirlz, which was acquired by Creating IT Futures in 2019. She is the founder and CEO of a new startup, Journal My Health, a digital platform for patients with chronic conditions. Tracey is a frequent commenter on women in technology-related careers and the future of work. She has shared insights and solutions from the stage at SXSW, as a contributor to Forbes, and as a speaker at the Philadelphia Women’s March. Tracey began her career in retail management and advertising sales, before acquiring child transportation company KangaKab in 2005. In addition to leading the branding and marketing strategy for Chariot, she helped grow the company 5x since its launch. Tracey is a founding board member of Philadelphia Startup Leaders, board member for Creating IT Futures and WXPN, a Commissioner for the PA Governor’s Commission for Women, a Featured Advisor for Future Works Alliance and an advisor for startup Rec Philly.

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1/29/2022 4:10:00 PM

Emergence of Quantum Technologies and Perspectives on Career Paths

Preeti Chalsani, Director of Industry Partnerships, Chicago Quantum Exchange (joint with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation); Deputy Director, Duality Chalsani will share her perspectives on the emergence of quantum technologies as well as her career path to her current role at the intersection of science, technology, entrepreneurship and business. She will also touch upon how experience and skills developed in the lab in pursuit of STEM degrees can position one for success in other endeavors, including entrepreneurship. Preeti Chalsani serves as the director of industry partnerships for Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) in a joint position with the Polsky Center where she seeks to build connections between industry and CQE research institutions with the goal of advancing development of quantum information science and technologies. She also serves as the deputy director of Duality where she helps set the accelerator’s strategic vision while providing the technology context to the accelerator and build relationships with corporate partners, mentors, quantum startups, partners, and other stakeholders.  ​ Prior to taking on this role, Preeti was in the Technology Commercialization team at the Polsky Center, working with UChicago faculty in physical sciences to support commercialization of their research, including through the formation of new ventures. She has served as coach and mentor to teams on Polsky’s NSF I-Corps and other Accelerator programs, and has also worked on collaborative initiatives to help grow the innovation ecosystem around UChicago. Prior to joining Polsky, Preeti worked in the field of intellectual property for almost a decade where she worked on a diverse range of technologies, and strategically built and managed the IP portfolio for clients from universities, start-ups, SMEs and multinational corporations. Preeti earned a BS in applied physics from Yale University and a PhD in applied physics from Cornell University.

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1/29/2022 4:10:00 PM

Forward Momentum: A Conversation with Technologists at Microsoft

April Walker, GM of U.S. Microsoft Technology Centers, Microsoft Katelyn Tsai '22 VSB, incoming Solution Specialist, Microsoft Join our virtual chat with 2020 Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction honoree Walker. Learn from a tech evangelist and hear what skills are needed to succeed in tech and how Microsoft is transforming their culture to be more inclusive and capitalizing on the power of technologies like Al for good.

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1/29/2022 3:10:00 PM

Industry Panel: Changemakers in Tech

Vicki Cox. Director of Program Management. Salesforce Monique St. John, Chief Technology and Security Officer, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Darla Wolfe '06 EMBA, Managing Partner, Sweat Equity, LLC Be inspired by a group of extraordinary women as you hear about their journey and continued commitment to bringing positive change to tech culture. Listen to the challenges they helped resolve and the future tech spaces they are working to create in business, healthcare, and startups. Leave empowered to help shape the future of tech!

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1/29/2022 4:10:00 PM

Morning Keynote

Jessica Nye '03 VSB, Supervisor, FBI Cyber Squad Supervisory Special Agent Jessica Nye is the current Supervisor of the FBI Cyber Squad in Raleigh, NC. Prior to her arrival in North Carolina in 2015, SSA Nye spent eight years working in the Baltimore Field Office on their Cyber Squad and two years at FBI Cyber Division Headquarters in Washington DC. She has significant experience working cyber-related matters including computer intrusion investigations, intellectual property (IP) rights violations, theft of trade secrets, economic espionage and other investigations. SSA Nye is a proud alumna of Villanova University’s School of Business, obtaining a major in Management Information Systems.

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1/29/2022 2:00:00 PM

Recent Alumnae Panel

Jennifer Black '21 CWSL, Associate, Reed Smith LLP Betsy De La Cruz '19 CLAS, Application Engineer I, Vanguard Erica D. Howard 21 CS. Enterprise Vendor Relationship Manager. Ciana Be inspired by our alumnae panelists who will tell you now their education enabled their careers in tech. Hear their unique stories and learn how you, too, can make an impact with tech. Engage with the panelists live during the G&A part of this perennially popular session.

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1/29/2022 3:10:00 PM

What is Quantum Computing and How Can It Help Me in My Career

Denise Ruffner, Chief Business Officer at Atom Computing, President of Women in Quantum Ruffner will introduce you to quantum computing and its potential impact to solve difficult compute problems and share how her career experiences have placed her in an influential leadership role. Ruffner will also talk about her efforts to increase diversity in this industry and follow up with career advice for the audience.

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1/29/2022 3:10:00 PM