Empowering Yourself: The Key To Building A Thriving Career

11:35am

Home • Agenda • Empowering Yourself: The …

Session Overview

Whether you are looking for personal development seeking to advance your career, or just starting out, this session is for you!

Fatima Fares, CIO for Chemicals & Products in Shell, will share practical tips and tricks on how to boost your performance based on her experiences in the IT industry. Moreover, she will share more on how consciously and unconsciously you influence your career development.

The Why: It is not all about performance and just doing a good job, it is crucial to cultivate a positive image, while gaining exposure to the right stakeholders.

Session Key Takeaways:

Good performance is the critical foundation
Be the leader you want to be led by and always stay true to yourself
Be visible, network and leverage sponsorships

This session is for you if…

You want to own your career in the most effective way
You are looking for growth opportunities, a way to advance your career or just starting out but would appreciate some handrails on navigating the corporate world

Session sponsored by:

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Session Key Takeaways:

Prove that curiosity, humbleness and diversity are essential when it comes to executing the power of tech
Embrace that culture is the one thing that binds you as colleagues and unifies and empowers us
Understand that Tech is about so much more then the bits and bites of the technology

This session is for you if…

You are curious to learn about the major role that tech plays in the bol.com retail platform.
You are passionate to learn and be inspired about how you can make a difference by being you
You want to be inspired by the journey of a young female leader and you are curious to learn how she leads Product, now from a board position

1:45pm

Workshop

Building Effective Mentoring Practices For Companies

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Leadership
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Irina Veligan

Campaigns Optimisation Manager

Gen

Corporate mentorship programs have been implemented by many companies to enhance recruitment efforts, improve employee engagement, foster leadership development, promote diversity and increase loyalty and retention rates. However, the effectiveness of such programs depends on the quality of their implementation. Creating a successful mentoring program can be much more challenging that it appears, and many programs fail to meet their objectives.

This workshop will represent insights and principles from interviews with companies of varying sizes that have effectively implemented mentoring programs. Participants will learn practical strategies to launch their own successful mentoring program within their organisations.

Session Key Takeaways:

Discover best practices for launching and promoting a mentoring program
Learn how to pair mentees effectively
Learn what resources to provide to mentors and mentees and how to measure success of each relationship during the program

12:45pm

Presentation

Blockchain And Crypto Exchange As A Gateway

30 mins

Track - FinTech
Not to be Missed

Dorina Juhász

Product Manager

Bitvavo
Komal Bagave

Engineering Manager

Bitvavo

In an era of digital disruption, understanding blockchain’s impact on financial services is crucial. Join us for an insightful session on the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the financial services industry. Discover how blockchain can revolutionise various sectors of financial services and explore the key advantages of blockchain, including auditability, transparency, fast settlements, and reduced transaction costs.

Additionally, we will delve into the exciting challenges faced by cryptocurrency exchanges, serving as gateways to unleash the possibilities of blockchain technology. Discover how to leverage blockchain’s potential, and to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Session Key Takeaways:

The benefits of blockchain technology have a transformative potential to financial services
Understanding how to leverage the main advantages of blockchain technology, such as auditability, transparency, instant settlements, and reduced transaction costs
Insights into the different components of a Crypto Exchange and what factors to consider while choosing one

This session is perfect for you if…

You are seeking to understand the transformative potential of blockchain technology
You are looking to explore new opportunities and gain a competitive edge in the evolving landscape of finance
You are curious about how Crypto Exchange serves as a gateway to unleash the possibilities of blockchain technology and what factors to consider while choosing one

11:30am

Workshop

Choose To Be Successful At Managing Change: Management Of Change De-Mystified

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Roberta Rossini

Cloud Services Business Operations and Transformation Manager

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Research shows that approximately 69% of projects fall short of their objectives, frequently due to inadequate management of change dynamics. This calls for proactive action, and indeed, it is possible to take such action! In this session, you’ll acquire the skills to master change management, steering your projects towards enduring and impactful transformations.

More often than not, management of change is considered some sort of intangible “magic”, delivering dubious value. In other cases management of change is used interchangeably with “training plan”, leading to pre-announced adoption failure. In this session you will be introduced to a few very practical tools that can be used to drive change and manage resistance successfully.

Session Key Takeaways:

Learn how management of change is a systemic approach, that goes beyond trainings
Learn that resistance is a natural reaction to change and that it can and should be planned with and managed accordingly

This session is for you if…

You are or have been struggling with the adoption of a great tool or process
If your team is consistently not doing what you ask them to do
You think management of change is fluffy, hot air
You think management of change = trainings calendar
You want a career in IT and you have no IT background

2:55pm

Workshop

Life After Layoffs: Reenergising After Large Scale Lay Offs

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Premium Only

Polina Changuleva

Founder

Same But Different Consultancy
Lucy Delaney

Managing Director, People & Transformation

FTI Consulting
Lisa Dempsey

CEO and Founder

Leadership Labs International

Last year, almost 100,000 people across the tech industry got laid off, amounting to the highest number of job cuts since the dot-com crash in 1995.

The personal impact of being laid off cannot be underestimated. Equally, large-scale layoffs also have a profound impact on organisations. From rebuilding one’s self-esteem and a finding a new job in an overcrowded and fractured industry, to the morale and productivity of remaining employees or the best ways to attract top talent, there is much that individuals and organisations can learn from the so-called layoff contagion.

In this workshop, we will hear from an ex-tech employee who was laid off, someone who had the burden of laying off staff, as well as experts who understand the intricacies of organisational restructuring. Our panel will share their personal experiences and lessons learnt and explore strategies those that have been laid off can use to thrive, as well as practical strategies to unlock the untapped potential within the organisation post-layoff, providing recommendations for rebuilding trust, boosting morale, and enhancing brand value. Because all our experts believe that, which ever perspective you take: there is life after lay-offs.

Session Key Takeaways:

How to regain your self-confidence and thrive again after being laid off
The impact of large-scale layoffs on remaining employees and the organisation
Strategies to boost morale and refocus an organisation after large-scale layoffs
Brand and reputation management communicate and engage with employees during and post-layoff

This session is for you if…

You have been laid off and want to hear from someone who has been through it
Your organisation has made cuts and you want to discuss how to reenergise employees or reshape your EVP to remain relevant and authentic

11:30am

Workshop

EQ For Work/Life Harmony

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Not to be Missed
Premium Only

Angelina Best van Kampen

Baltics and Benelux, Head of Commercial, Nordics

Amazon Web Services

Achieving professional success goes beyond just IQ and technical expertise. Studies have revealed that emotional intelligence (EQ) plays a significant role in determining long-term accomplishments. EQ encompasses staying composed under stress, demonstrating resilience during challenges, maintaining a positive attitude, and being in tune with others’ emotions.

Join us for this workshop, where you will learn how to enhance your EQ to foster a balanced work/life equilibrium. The session will feature self-reflection exercises, community interaction, and various EQ development strategies.

11:30am

Workshop

How To Embed Digital Ethics And Responsible AI Frameworks Into Your Work

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Not to be Missed
Premium Only

Tania Dias

Digital Ethics Specialist - Digital Ethics & Responsible AI

IKEA Retail

Don’t miss out on this essential workshop where we’ll introduce you to the knowledge and tools needed to embed digital trust and responsible AI frameworks into your work.

Explore the key principles of responsible innovation and gain practical insights on integrating them into your tech projects. Discover how you can shape an ethical future and make a positive impact while navigating the evolving landscape of technology and AI.

12:40pm

Workshop

Navigating Career Paths: How To Build A Sustainable Career

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Janneke Dura

Schneider Electric Talent Consultant

Schneider Electric

Research findings highlight that women often hesitate to apply for new positions if they do not fullfill all the criteria. This is particularly noticeable in the tech industry, where female representation is markedly low and declines further at higher organisational levels. To counter this, it is critical to disrupt the norms and craft inventive strategies to promote women’s growth and development.

In this interactive session, we will delve into the intricacies of career progression, examining both conventional and unconventional pathways. We will also engage in fruitful discussions on the challenges and prospects of career development in an ever-evolving world. This will provide a roadmap on how to make audacious choices regarding your career trajectory and devise a plan for continuous professional growth.

Session Key Takeaways:

Explore both mainstream and alternative career pathways
Design a bold career plan for your next move
Master different approaches to steer your career development journey

This session is for you if…

You are enthusiastic about confronting new challenges
You are intrigued by the idea of charting your career growth in an unorthodox manner
You are eager to experience an enjoyable and inspiring session

3:10pm

Presentation

Don’t Dream It, Be It: How To Be Truly Diverse And Inclusive In Tech

30 mins

Track - Implement
Leadership
Non-Technical
Workforce

Tanja Antonijevic

HR Director

Miele X

Sometimes tech is too much about doing techie things and not enough about being human. Same goes for Diversity & Inclusion, where we often we fall in the trap of doing diverse and inclusive things, rather than being diverse and inclusive. This presentation gives you concrete steps on how to build a better, more authentic, and inclusive company culture in tech.

As a global digital hub, Miele X is here to support the Miele Group in creating and growing their digital heritage. Founded as a start-up within a large organisation, Miele X quickly grew to a large, gender-balanced team of diverse experts, with over 40 nationalities on board. HR Director Tanja Antonijevic was there from the start and will explain why her mantra ‘Don’t dream it, be it’ was crucial for building this truly diverse and inclusive team. She will do this through sharing successes, failures, and concrete actions that can help you create a better, more diverse, and inclusive tech culture.

Session Key Takeaways:

Understand the impact of a diverse and inclusive culture on team performance and the creation of solutions fit for all
Recognise that fostering a truly diverse and inclusive culture transcends mere activities, emphasising the essence of being diverse and inclusive
Gain insights into ten practical strategies to incorporate greater diversity and inclusivity within your organisation

This session is for you if…you are interested or involved in building and leading tech teams and/or creating an innovative culture within scale-ups and larger organisations.

4:00pm

Workshop

The Art Of Failing Successfully

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Jennifer Bower

Country Lead

Persistent Systems

When you’re not afraid to fail, you become brave enough to step out of your comfort zone and go after big goals. Ultimately, mastering the art of failing successfully gives you the skills and mindset to tackle challenges in a rapidly changing world, solve problems like a boss, and achieve long-term success.

Delve into the untapped potential of failure and how it can become a catalyst for personal and professional development. Through a series of stories, hands-on exercises, and group discussions, we’ll explore strategies for reframing failure, building resilience, and leveraging lessons learned from outside experiences for workplace success.

During the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to share your own stories of failure and learn from others in a supportive environment. We’ll discuss techniques to help you navigate through setbacks, overcome challenges, and turn failures into stepping-stones towards achieving your goals. Whether you’re a team leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or an individual seeking personal growth, this workshop is designed to empower you with the mindset and skills necessary to fail successfully.

Walk away from this workshop equipped with a fresh perspective on failure, a newfound sense of resilience, and a plan to use your past experiences to fuel future success. Join us and unlock the power of embracing failure as a transformative force on your journey to personal and professional excellence.

Session Key Takeaways:

Reframe failure as a learning opportunity
Build resilience and embrace challenges
Leverage personal experiences for professional growth

This session is for you if…you are a tech industry professional, a manager or team leader, an entrepreneur or founder, or an individual seeking personal growth and development.

12:40pm

Workshop

Leading A Hybrid Technical Team And Executing In Uncharted Territory

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Leadership
Premium Only

Whitney Zheng

Engineering Manager

Yelp

Whether you are new to management, a company, a team through an internal transfer, or recently experienced a re-org, the novelty can bring excitement but also introduce chaos and uncertainties. There are already plenty of obstacles leading a technical team in this new remote work setup, not to mention the expectation to deliver performance and reliability for hybrid tech teams.

In territories where well-laid blueprints have been replaced by uncertainty, effectively managing the balance between team exploration and execution versus stakeholder buy-in and expectations becomes the engine for propelling products forward. In this session, we’ll talk about practical approaches and processes to help early adopters turn ideas into reality in business contexts.

Session Key Takeaways:

Running diagnostics of existing team status and dynamics
Introducing and implementing relevant and effective team processes
Communication strategies internally with team members and externally with management and stakeholders

2:50pm

Workshop

Powerful Storytelling: Presenting Technical Ideas In A Highly Relatable Way

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Non-Technical
Premium Only
Skills

Isabel Walker

Master Facilitator and Coach

PowerSpeaking

Stories are a game changer in business! Often people fail to understand technical concepts and proposals because they can’t relate to them. Stories can breathe life into abstract ideas and create real change in attitudes and behaviour.

In this workshop you will find out why stories are so powerful and how they work their magic. And you will create a compelling story of your own that can be put to immediate use in a business setting.

All you need is an open mind, a creative imagination and a willingness to experiment with new ways to communicate your ideas.

Session Key Takeaways:

Understanding of how stories work and the ingredients of an effective story
A flexible framework to give your story structure and shape
An opportunity to create and practise delivering your own story

2:50pm

Workshop

Becoming More Intentional When Dealing With Stress And Burnout

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Marissa Alert, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

A recent Deloitte survey showed that 53% of women are more stressed this year than they were a year ago, and 46% feel burned out. Having the right strategies to effectively manage stress and deal with burnout in healthy and effective ways can help with achieving work/life balance, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and continuing to be productive and engaged at work.

Managing stress and addressing burnout is not only about having the right tools or a list of things to do to cope. It requires being aware of your triggers for stress and how you perceive and respond to them, as well as being intentional about the strategies you use. This session will focus on the INTENT Framework for Stress and Burnout

How stress manifests itself and impacts your work, relationships, and behaviours
How you can align your actions with your values to manage stress in ways that prevent burnout and foster resilience
How to turn stress into an opportunity for growth
How to identify and implement realistic and easy-to-maintain strategies for managing stress, addressing burnout, and learning to adapt better to unforeseen changes

Session Key Takeaways:

Learn how to effectively manage stress to become aware of how stress affects you, how you perceive it, and how you respond to it
Discover when to use problem-focused coping or emotion-focused coping to deal with stress
Discover ways to deal with stress and address burnout. The strategies you choose should make sense for you and fit into your life. They shouldn’t just be based on what’s trending

This session is for you if…you have a basic understanding of stress and how to manage it, but are looking for ways to make stress management a habit and not an afterthought.

2:55pm

Workshop

Mastering Public Speaking In Tech

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Carly Richmond

Developer Advocate

Elastic

Public speaking is much like being the gazelle being watched by a group of hungry lions. Many women avoid it or dismiss it as a career out of an understandable fear of being eaten! We struggle with thoughts of sharing our knowledge and experiences in public forums because we think we’re not technical enough, or smart enough, or that our thoughts and experiences are not interesting enough.

Public speaking brings us great career benefits and helps us stand out as experts in a field where women remain underrepresented. In this session, we’ll work together to share our experiences and debunk the many fears we have about public speaking and the myths associated with presenter style, particularly within the tech industry. You will also have the opportunity to build your own plan and resource guide to improve your public speaking skills and build the courage to take to the stage to share the emerging technologies used in this radically changing world.

Women and minorities remain underrepresented in the speaker lineups for many of the tech conferences and meetups we attend as professionals. This lack of visible role models impacts the composition of the sector that we want to make equal. The ideas and experiences conveyed in these conferences also impact the future technologies we build in this ever-changing world. Voicing the experiences and knowledge of underrepresented groups increases the diversity of thought in building inclusive technology that represents and supports everyone in society.

Session Key Takeaways:

Debunking the myths surrounding public speaking, including that it is a character attribute you naturally have rather than a practised skill that you too can learn, enjoy and benefit from in your career
Personal techniques to handle the fear of speaking
Construction of your own resources and plan to build on your public speaking skills

This session is for you if…you are anxious or fearful when undertaking public speaking today, or believes that public speaking is not relevant or beneficial to their current career path.

4:00pm

Workshop

How To Build More Adaptable Organisations By Leading With Authenticity

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Leadership
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Pamela Corbin-Audoux

Diversity & Inclusion, Leadership

Decathlon Digital
Sophie Pesanti

Group Product Manager

Decathlon Digital

We need to smash down the idea that being a leader only equates to being strong all the time and having all the answers: there are many ways to lead, and we’ll tap into our collective intelligence to help you find your own authentic expression.

If Brené Brown and Spiderman had a brainchild, that kid would probably say “with great power comes great vulnerability”. Well, to be honest, we believe it’s the other way around. Becoming aware of your vulnerability takes courage, and harnessing it is so rewarding. Embark with us on this journey to leadership and more connected teams through empathy, authenticity and efficiency.

(Yes, admittedly, we sound like your friendly Instagram self-appointed thought leaders, but we swear we are not.)

Session Key Takeaways:

A newly-found support group you can nurture to help you grow
Practical, actionable tips to support you as an authentic leader
Proven tools to practice vulnerability

This session is for you if…you’re a people manager (whether seasoned or newly-minted) and struggling with the idea of being vulnerable at work, not having all the answers, fighting impostor syndrome…

4:00pm

Workshop

Crafting A Convincing Business Case: Securing Investment For Tech Projects

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Premium Only

Andrea Stubbe

VP Product

commercetools

Are you finding it challenging to convince key decision-makers to allocate ample time and resources for vital technical work and enhancements? Are you often working overtime or subtly incorporating improvement efforts into your schedule? Essential tasks like expanding test coverage, refactoring, code clean-up, library updates, and experimenting with innovative technologies are all invaluable to business growth, albeit their benefits may not be immediately apparent.

We invite you to this interactive workshop designed to arm you with essential strategies and real-world examples that illustrate both successful and failed attempts to advocate for investment in technical work. We encourage you to bring your own case studies for practical argument practice with an experienced VP of Product.

Session Key Takeaways:

Develop effective strategies for constructing and conveying a compelling business case for the time and financial commitment towards continuous technical work
Gain valuable insights from Andrea, who will provide feedback on your examples

This session is for you if…you are a solution architect, technical project manager, and senior engineer looking to enhance their advocacy skills for technical work investment.

4:00pm

Workshop

Play Your Way To Innovation And Connection In The Workplace

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Katie Ireland

CEO & Co-Founder

Enliven

Are you tired of feeling stuck in your work, lacking in creativity, and disconnected from your true self and your colleagues? If so, it’s time to embrace the power of play!

Join us in this workshop to explore the importance of play (even as an adult and yes even in the workplace), identify your own play personality and play together with your fellow participants. Come prepared to use your voice and physicality in this interactive and playful workshop. Silliness is both expected and welcomed in this judgement free zone.

Please let us know ahead of time of any mobility issues or other disabilities so that we might inclusively accommodate all needs.

2:50pm

Workshop

The Untapped Potential Of Team Branding: Excel In The New Frontier

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Leadership
Premium Only
Skills

Dina Krapivko

Head of Technology Operations

PVH Europe

In today’s rapidly evolving tech industry, staying ahead requires not only embracing new technologies but also reimagining the way we harness the collective strength of our teams.

Discover the transformative impact of team branding as we delve into the strategies that empower organisations to unleash their team’s full potential. Learn the essential elements of successful team branding and gain practical insights on its implementation. Through practical examples, we’ll demonstrate how a strong team brand cultivates an innovative culture, boosts employee engagement, and ultimately enhances business outcomes. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionise your organisation’s approach to teamwork and maximise operational excellence.

To stay ahead of the curve, it is now more important than ever to have a team that can work together effectively and efficiently. Soft skills like communication, collaboration, and branding are essential for creating a cohesive team that can achieve hard operational excellence results.

In this session, we will explore how investing in team branding can lead to significant improvements in productivity, innovation, and overall success. Join us in discovering the power of soft skills for hard results in the new frontier of tech.

Session Key Takeaways:

Harnessing the untapped potential of your team by establishing a strong and recognisable team brand that fosters unity, purpose, and drives innovation
Driving operational excellence through team branding: how to cultivate a culture of innovation, increase employee engagement and foster better business outcomes
Practical strategies: implementing successful team branding in your organisation, empowering you to enhance leadership skills and drive success in the rapidly evolving tech industry

This session is for you if…you are a forward-thinking leader eager to unlock the true potential of your team and drive operational excellence in your organisation in the new frontier Tech. Whether you’re part of a small startup or a large enterprise, this session is tailored to equip you with the practical insights and strategies in the intersection of technology, team dynamics and innovation.

1:40pm

Presentation

From Vision To Reality: Female Leadership In Open Banking

40 mins

Track - FinTech
Not to be Missed

Tao Baker

Head of Digital Innovation & Fintech

Permanent TSB

Stay ahead of the curve as Open Banking revolutionises the financial landscape and presents key opportunities for both individuals and businesses. Find better ways to help you drive customer centricity in your organisation.

Join me for an exciting exploration into the world of Open Banking as we shine a spotlight on how to transform traditional Banks and Industries harnessing cutting edge technology and driving Innovation.

Session Key Takeaways:

A comprehensive understanding of Open Banking
A clear vision of its potential
Practical ways to navigate this transformation

This session is for you if…you are a female leader looking to harness the power of Open Banking, drive Innovation and empower yourself with the knowledge and strategies to thrive in the evolving financial landscape.

3:10pm

Presentation

Building Enterprise-Ready IT With AI, And How To Future-Proof Your Career

30 mins

Track - Software
Career
Transformation

Nabitha Rao

Information Technology, Vice President

GitLab

Stay ahead in the evolving landscape of IT by embracing AI’s capabilities by exploring how AI can be leveraged within the realm of business functions.

Discover how personalised attention to employee experiences can be the building block to achieve operational maturity, cultivate stronger customer relationships, foster unwavering brand loyalty, and achieve sustained growth and success.

Future-proof your career by assessing its impact, leveraging soft skills, staying tech-savvy and relevant in the world of AI.

Session Key Takeaways:

IT’s role in a successful organisation
Discover how to embed AI into IT operations
Tips on how to future-proof your career in an AI powered world

5:10pm

Workshop

The Untapped Potential Of Team Branding: Excel In The New Frontier

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Leadership
Premium Only
Skills

Dina Krapivko

Head of Technology Operations

PVH Europe

In today’s rapidly evolving tech industry, staying ahead requires not only embracing new technologies but also reimagining the way we harness the collective strength of our teams.

Discover the transformative impact of team branding as we delve into the strategies that empower organisations to unleash their team’s full potential. Learn the essential elements of successful team branding and gain practical insights on its implementation. Through practical examples, we’ll demonstrate how a strong team brand cultivates an innovative culture, boosts employee engagement, and ultimately enhances business outcomes. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionise your organisation’s approach to teamwork and maximise operational excellence.

To stay ahead of the curve, it is now more important than ever to have a team that can work together effectively and efficiently. Soft skills like communication, collaboration, and branding are essential for creating a cohesive team that can achieve hard operational excellence results.

In this session, we will explore how investing in team branding can lead to significant improvements in productivity, innovation, and overall success. Join us in discovering the power of soft skills for hard results in the new frontier of tech.

Session Key Takeaways:

Harnessing the untapped potential of your team by establishing a strong and recognisable team brand that fosters unity, purpose, and drives innovation
Driving operational excellence through team branding: how to cultivate a culture of innovation, increase employee engagement and foster better business outcomes
Practical strategies: implementing successful team branding in your organisation, empowering you to enhance leadership skills and drive success in the rapidly evolving tech industry

This session is for you if…you are a forward-thinking leader eager to unlock the true potential of your team and drive operational excellence in your organisation in the new frontier Tech. Whether you’re part of a small startup or a large enterprise, this session is tailored to equip you with the practical insights and strategies in the intersection of technology, team dynamics and innovation.

1:45pm

Workshop

Flip It! A Behaviour Design Workshop Using The Psychology Of A Cyber Criminal

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Sarah Janes

Owner & CEO

Layer 8

Ever get frustrated that you’ve explained to your colleagues and friends a thousand times why they need to adopt more secure behaviours, but even though they know, they still choose insecure behaviours? Perhaps your frustration is with Senior Leadership who are not taking a business case for security seriously, or maybe it’s DevOps who continuously circumnavigate the secure by design process.

In this interactive workshop we’ll look at the psychology of change and how cybercriminals use it against us. Whatever your frustration we’ll get practical and introduce you to a flipped change approach, that starts by identifying strengths to build change. We’ll be working collaboratively to design behavioural interventions you can start using as soon as you’re at back at the office.

11:35am

Presentation

Building A Blueprint For Hiring Tomorrow’s Tech Talent

30 mins

Track - Software
Not to be Missed

Anna Brailsford

CEO & Co-Founder

Code First Girls
Rosie Hawke

Global Senior Director Technology Innovation

Nike

Join us for a fireside chat with Nike and the CEO of Code First Girls as we explore their blueprint for hiring tomorrow’s tech talent.

Discover how Nike responds to global talent trends, attracts tech talent in the retail industry, retains and grows their top performers and promotes diversity to positively impact transformational change.

Don’t miss out on learning from two of the industry’s leading experts on attracting and developing the best tech talent.

4:45pm

Presentation

Revolutionise Your Workday: Unleashing The Power Of Low-Code/No-Code Automation!

30 mins

Track - Implement
Career
Data
Workforce

Eden Ihamouine

IT Global Purchasing Intern

Danone

Today, studies shows that 76% of workers spend 1-3 hours a day in data entry and tasks that a robot could be doing for them. What if you were able to use those 1-3 hours to your core job functions ? That’s the bet we made ! Thanks to our learning on automation, we are now able to earn time and productivity. We will share with you our journey through daily tasks automation and our experience.

Given that daily tasks and data entry are integral parts of your career, it’s essential to leverage them effectively. Let’s streamline these tasks and utilise them wisely for a more productive work life.

Session Key Takeaways:

Understand what the biggest productivity blockers are
Learn how to make your daily-life easier at work
Insights into the different steps in automation

This session is for you if…you are seeking for a new way of thinking to manage your data.

9:20am

Keynote

Chairperson Opening

10 mins

Track - Keynote
Not to be Missed

Olivia Kinghorst

Moderator & Journalist

Welcome to European Women in Technology. Join us for the official opening and welcome remarks to kick-start your day with inspiration and empowerment!

Our two-day agenda is filled with expert-led sessions designed to help you learn how to start putting in the building blocks towards the future and securing your position as a futurist leader in tech and strategy.

2:35pm

Presentation

Getting Future Ready: What It Means To Be A Modern Business

30 mins

Track - Implement
Non-Technical
Workforce

Monique Wagenmaker-Oudijk

Consulting Lead for Northern Europe

Cognizant

Curious about what a future-ready business resembles? This session will explore findings from Economist Impact research, shedding light on the primary drivers of future readiness. Furthermore, we will introduce a benchmarking tool to assess your business’s readiness for the future.

In this session, you’ll learn important tips for getting ready for the future, figure out the skills you need to grow, and find out how to match big ideas with realistic steps for success now and in the future.

Session Key Takeaways:

Gain insights into the pivotal factors that shape a future-ready business, and how to take proactive steps to become future-fit
Receive access to a benchmarking tool that measures your business’s positioning for the future
Understand the transformative role of ESG, especially diversity, in driving change

This session is for you if…

You are advising clients on their future strategies
You are collaborating with partners for a shared future vision
You are an individual keen on fortifying your preparedness for an unpredictable future

5:10pm

Workshop

The Art Of Failing Successfully

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Jennifer Bower

Country Lead

Persistent Systems

When you’re not afraid to fail, you become brave enough to step out of your comfort zone and go after big goals. Ultimately, mastering the art of failing successfully gives you the skills and mindset to tackle challenges in a rapidly changing world, solve problems like a boss, and achieve long-term success.

Delve into the untapped potential of failure and how it can become a catalyst for personal and professional development. Through a series of stories, hands-on exercises, and group discussions, we’ll explore strategies for reframing failure, building resilience, and leveraging lessons learned from outside experiences for workplace success.

During the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to share your own stories of failure and learn from others in a supportive environment. We’ll discuss techniques to help you navigate through setbacks, overcome challenges, and turn failures into stepping-stones towards achieving your goals. Whether you’re a team leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or an individual seeking personal growth, this workshop is designed to empower you with the mindset and skills necessary to fail successfully.

Walk away from this workshop equipped with a fresh perspective on failure, a newfound sense of resilience, and a plan to use your past experiences to fuel future success. Join us and unlock the power of embracing failure as a transformative force on your journey to personal and professional excellence.

Session Key Takeaways:

Reframe failure as a learning opportunity
Build resilience and embrace challenges
Leverage personal experiences for professional growth

This session is for you if…you are a tech industry professional, a manager or team leader, an entrepreneur or founder, or an individual seeking personal growth and development.

2:50pm

Workshop

Building Effective Mentoring Practices For Companies

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Leadership
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Irina Veligan

Campaigns Optimisation Manager

Gen

Corporate mentorship programs have been implemented by many companies to enhance recruitment efforts, improve employee engagement, foster leadership development, promote diversity and increase loyalty and retention rates. However, the effectiveness of such programs depends on the quality of their implementation. Creating a successful mentoring program can be much more challenging that it appears, and many programs fail to meet their objectives.

This workshop will represent insights and principles from interviews with companies of varying sizes that have effectively implemented mentoring programs. Participants will learn practical strategies to launch their own successful mentoring program within their organizations.

Session Key Takeaways:

Discover best practices for launching and promoting a mentoring program
Learn how to pair mentees effectively
Learn what resources to provide to mentors and mentees and how to measure success of each relationship during the program

2:50pm

Workshop

Choose To Be Successful At Managing Change: Management Of Change De-Mystified

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Career
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Roberta Rossini

Cloud Services Business Operations and Transformation Manager

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Research shows that approximately 69% of projects fall short of their objectives, frequently due to inadequate management of change dynamics. This calls for proactive action, and indeed, it is possible to take such action! In this session, you’ll acquire the skills to master change management, steering your projects towards enduring and impactful transformations.

More often than not, management of change is considered some sort of intangible “magic”, delivering dubious value. In other cases management of change is used interchangeably with “training plan”, leading to pre-announced adoption failure. In this session you will be introduced to a few very practical tools that can be used to drive change and manage resistance successfully.

Session Key Takeaways:

Learn how management of change is a systemic approach, that goes beyond trainings
Learn that resistance is a natural reaction to change and that it can and should be planned with and managed accordingly

This session is for you if…

You are or have been struggling with the adoption of a great tool or process
If your team is consistently not doing what you ask them to do
You think management of change is fluffy, hot air
You think management of change = trainings calendar
You want a career in IT and you have no IT background

12:40pm

Workshop

How To Embed Digital Ethics And Responsible AI Frameworks Into Your Work

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Not to be Missed
Premium Only

Tania Dias

Digital Ethics Specialist - Digital Ethics & Responsible AI

IKEA Retail
Jeanice Koorndijk

Responsible Technology Specialist

IKEA
Efşan Sökmen

Senior Data Scientist

IKEA
Anindita Misra

Global Director- Data Lifecycle Accountability

IKEA

Don’t miss out on this essential workshop where we’ll introduce you to the knowledge and tools needed to embed digital trust and responsible AI frameworks into your work.

Explore the key principles of responsible innovation and gain practical insights on integrating them into your tech projects. Discover how you can shape an ethical future and make a positive impact while navigating the evolving landscape of technology and AI.

2:50pm

Workshop

Neurodiversity In The Workplace: Building Inclusive Teams Beyond Noise Cancelling Headphones

60 mins

Track - Workshop
Non-Technical
Premium Only

Luisa Liesenberg

Director of Talents & Organisation

MVPF Technologies GmbH (MVP Factory)

Each brain is unique and everyone has different ways to process and think, yet, roughly 20% of our population qualifies as neurodiverse. This means, chances are high that our teams are also built of people who battle diagnoses like ADHD, Autism, or Dyslexia. Especially women often go through life undiagnosed, in numbers – 75% of women with ADHD are unaware – having developed coping mechanisms without ever knowing.

In this workshop we want to explore strategies to build environments for your teams or yourself that allow for “Neuro-Spiciness” to be the fuel of innovation, discuss what it takes for us and our colleagues to feel accepted and how to meet the needs of “unaware” neurodiverse colleagues.

Within DI&E departments, the awareness for mental health topics, including Neurodiversity, has luckily been increasing over the past decade. Yet, building habits that go beyond individual behaviour or offering access to helpful tools is something that most teams still have to learn. Most companies, most tech teams, and most organisations are structured, following neurotypical concepts, making it challenging for employees with ADHD, Autism or Dyslexia (amongst others) to navigate. A work culture that is accessible for neurodiverse people also always benefits those whose brains qualify as “neurotypical”, so why wait?

Session Key Takeaways:

Learn about the challenges and strengths of neurodiverse people in the workplace and how to use or combat them successfully
Discover how we can move beyond neurotypical standards and build a team that works for every brain
Connect with your own neuro-spiciness, celebrate the magic of “being the odd one” and explore how you can inspire the people around you

This session is for you if…

You are neuro-spicey. Join us and share your experience, connect with others to learn from them and build a foundation to bring back into your own team.
You lead teams. Neurodiversity is a topic that most people still don’t feel comfortable being very upfront about. The stigma and discrimination that comes with being openly autistic or dyslexic, etc. hold people back and increases their risk of burning out due to having to mask or suffering from related anxiety and depression. This also accounts for team members that are unaware or undiagnosed. Creating a neuro-inclusive environment as Lead can change your employees’ life and set you up for success.
You are curious about this buzzword, flying around more and more these days 😉

4:45pm

Presentation

Payments Technology Re-shaping The World

30 mins

Track - FinTech
Not to be Missed

Anu Widyalankara

Director, Payments Strategy & Technology

Ernst & Young LLP

From real time payments, verticalized embedded payments to CBDCs, payments technology is changing the face of transactions for both consumers and businesses. Rapid innovation in this space increasingly enables an intricate network of capabilities that can influence consumer and organisation behaviour.

In this session we will dive in to 7 trends that are leading this revolution and understand the impact to ecosystem players and the world at large.

Session Key Takeaways:

Understand the key technologies enabling and disrupting Payments
Understand the impact to the players in this ecosystem
Understand how to respond to the opportunities and challenges in this landscape

This session is for you if...you are passionate about the evolution of technology that enables payments across platforms, sectors and regions.

2:15pm

Presentation

Unlock Your Potential: Pioneering A New Era Of Excellence

30 mins

Track - Software
Career

In a tech landscape still dominated by men, it’s crucial to empower and uphold YOU – a European Woman in Tech. Have you ever felt like ‘one of the guys’, or been treated differently simply because you’re a woman? Have you questioned your place in the industry? Dispense with doubt – you are exceptional! This session is designed to inspire and provide you with five actionable strategies to flourish in your career.

We will delve into these five tips collectively, aiming to embolden you to embrace your trailblazing role in tech and within your organisation. Expect to ignite your potential and contribute meaningfully to the future of the industry.

Why should you attend? If you seek inspiration, motivation, and valuable networking strategies, along with other pragmatic approaches to propel your career forward, this session is tailored for you.

Session Key Takeaways:

Five actionable strategies to advance your career
Learning from real-world experience
Foster meaningful connections with others

This session is for you if…you are looking to shatter the ‘one of the guys’ perception and make bold strides in their tech career. Join us to take your place at the forefront of the industry.

2:15pm

Presentation

Pacing Through Market Changes & Cut-Throat Competition: Shortcut Your Startup

30 mins

Track - FinTech
Career

Sharon Klaver

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Builders Studio

Join Sharon Klaver, Founder and Managing Director of Builders Studio, as she unveils the secrets of successful venture building in an ever-changing market. Learn about the importance of setting stage-gates and validating business ideas in the early stages of development. Discover strategies to navigate market changes, seize emerging opportunities, and build agile, flexible ventures. Gain insights into building a strong team and fostering agility. This session is essential for startup founders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve and propel their ventures to success.

In this dynamic market, startups face challenges such as fierce competition and evolving technology. By attending this session, you’ll gain valuable knowledge from Sharon Klaver’s decade of experience in venture building. Understand how to establish a strong foundation, make informed decisions, and adapt to market changes. Discover the key elements of successful startups, including setting stage-gates, navigating market changes, and building a resilient team.

This session is tailored for individuals seeking startup success and growth in a competitive landscape. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain invaluable insights and strategies to thrive in the ever-changing market.

5:20pm

Presentation

What Works ForA Fintech Bro Won’t Work For You: Using PR As A Female Founder

30 mins

Track - FinTech
Career
Non-Technical

Rachel Pipan

Founder and Managing Director

Maneuvre

Female-led companies (including fintechs) are outstanding in their success, market-fit, and returns to investors. Yet, they don’t attract as much funding or scale as fast. This talk is going to cover why and how female fintech founders need to promote themselves differently to succeed with the public and press, and common missteps to avoid.

Ever feel like male-run fintechs get attention just by breathing? It’s not just you. Female-led fintechs, their founders and even their executives are on a vastly different playing field for PR, marketing and communications. In this talk, emerging tech/fintech advisor Rachel Pipan talks through the challenges female founders face in getting attention. She uses real-world examples to challenge pernicious myths about self-promotion, helping current and future fintech founders/executives understand how to use PR to scale their businesses.

Session Key Takeaways:

Visibility is earned, not received – you have to do well and tell everyone about it
You will be judged on different metrics, including your PR presence
If it feels like you have to do everything backwards and in high heels – you’re right, and here’s how to lean into it to work for you

This session is for you if…You’re a current female fintech founder, thinking about starting a fintech/startup, or working with/advising female fintech and tech startup founders in their growth, and have been thinking you are too busy for PR, that you’re bad at PR, and/or that PR is a future concern, not one for now.

2:00pm

Keynote

Generative AI: Reimagining The Future With Generative AI

30 mins

Track - Keynote
AI
Not to be Missed

Melanie McGrory

Cloud Acceleration Team, Director, EMEA

Amazon Web Services

As more generative AI tools are developed and layered into existing software packages and technology platforms, we’ve learned that there are several different use cases available—each with unique strengths and characteristics. Generative AI has the potential to change the shape of our workforce, and this type of transformation will require us to think differently about the skills needed for roles we have yet to define.

Generative AI (Gen AI) is a type of AI that can create new content and ideas, including conversations, stories, images, videos, and music. This extraordinary technology enables us to reimagine what’s possible, not only for individuals and businesses, but every aspect of life. Gen AI has the potential to have a tremendous influence on the world as we know it.

This session, led by Melanie McGrory will discuss how we can adapt to these developments and more. The session is perfect if you want to reimagine the future with Generative AI, consider the impact this will have on the way we work, and understand what we need to do to support the generation of people that will follow us.

Book Your First Look Tickets Now Before The Price Increases!

Events in the Women In Technology Series

Women of Silicon Valley

May 10, 2024Hotel Nikko, San Francisco

Women in Tech Texas

May 6-7, 2024Westin Galleria Houston

European Women in Technology

26-27 June, 2024RAI Amsterdam

Women in Tech Boston

October 2-3, 2023Sheraton Boston Hotel

Women of Silicon Roundabout

22-23 Nov, 2023ExCeL London

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