Hi there,
The Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) has had a fantastic start to 2026, and we are looking forward to more great events ahead. WLI continues its commitment to advancing women at every stage of their careers.
Keep reading to learn more about what's happening across the WLI community, including recent events, upcoming opportunities, and stories from inspiring leaders in the industry. We invite YOU to be part of this movement. Whether you're new to WLI or a longtime supporter, there are plenty of ways to get involved, so drop us an email if you're interested in participating. Your voice matters, and we'd love to hear from you! We're also proud to recognize Credo for their continued support as our WLI Newsletter Sponsor—thank you for championing our mission! Be sure to forward this newsletter to colleagues and encourage them to subscribe so they never miss an edition of Designing the Difference. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Credo for making this newsletter possible!
-GSA WLI Team
- Webinar: Women in Leadership Speaker Series | Women Powering the AI Silicon Revolution: Leadership, Impact & the Future of Semiconductors | May | Marvell
- Austin Lunch and Learn | July 24th | AMD | Austin, TX | Invitation Only
- Board-Ready Women’s Event | August 25 | Credo | San Jose | Invitation Only
- WHM Ending Event | August 26 | Meta | Menlo Park
- WISH 2026 | November 10th | Santa Clara Convention Center | Register Here
Webinar: Women in Leadership Speaker Series featuring Renesas, "Next Gen Tech Leadership: Skills That Will Shape the Future"
On March 31st, we held our first webinar of the year in collaboration with Renesas, featuring an inspiring conversation with:
Panel Moderator:
- Pearl Cao, Senior Product Line Director, Renesas
Panelists:
- Anusha Kolla, VP of Strategy, Technology and Operations, PWR Division, Renesas
- Malini Narayanamoorthi, VP and President of Renesas Electronics India, Renesas
We unpacked the emerging skills redefining specialized technology roles, how to build influence and leadership in highly technical environments, why mentorship and visibility are becoming mission critical for career growth, and what next gen tech leaders must cultivate today to stay ahead tomorrow.
Some key takeaways were:
- Your technical expertise and experience are crucial in leadership roles, as they build credibility and trust.
- Don’t let external validation consume your time; speak your truth courageously and authentically.
- Leadership is a personal journey, best displayed through influence and credibility. Secure leaders operate without a power-driven mindset. As you grow into leadership, take delegation seriously; you cannot do everything at once.
We had a total of 684 registrants, which is our largest webinar to date!
Watch the recording here!
EMEA Lunch & Learn, Belgium
On April 30th, we held our 2026 EMEA Lunch and Learn event at imec’s offices in Leuven, Belgium with attendees from various companies. The event featured an inspiring keynote address, dynamic discussions, and shared insights, making it a memorable and impactful gathering for attendees.
Keynote speaker, Johanna Bolander, Principal Member of Technical Staff at imec, shared her incredible journey from becoming a world champion in horse riding to an accomplished PhD group leader at imec and serving as a professor at Charité Berlin. View her keynote presentation here: Wired To Lead: Training Your Brain for Growth, Voice & Impact
Moderator Claudia Fleishmann facilitated a moving discussion with our amazing panelists:
- Nicole Tien, Senior Technical Program Manager, ASE
- Lin Hou, Principal Engineer, Sandisk
- Sadb Nic Fhionnbhairr, Senior Manager, Automotive Sales - Global Accounts, Samsung
- Olivera Stojanovic, CTO, Vtool
Many attendees traveled in from other countries to join the conversation! Some key themes were Embrace Your True Self and Innate Qualities, Advocate for Yourself, and Recognize Unwritten Challenges. Thank you to EMEA WLC member Katrien Marent, EVP and CMO and imec for hosting us!
Event Testimonials
“A room full of inspiring women, different journeys, shared ambition, and honest stories that stay with you. What resonated most: the courage to speak up, to be present and part of the conversation, and to take risks… even when they might feel uncomfortable.”
- Stefanie Veerbeck, imec
“Boundaries seem to vanish when women discuss leadership. Whether during our FutureWomenX sessions in the Netherlands or yesterday at imec for the GSA Women's Leadership Initiative, the sense of commonality is striking. I was struck by keynote Johanna’s discipline, starting her day at 4:30 AM to secure family & 'me-time' - and the shared humor in the ladies' room line, where a peer joked about rotating through the four restrooms she has all to herself at work. A lighthearted reminder of the gender ratios that still exist in some corners of tech.”
- Sascha van Belzen, Byteflies
“What I took with me - the collective energy in the room. This wasn’t just about individual journeys, it was about community. Together, we are not only creating spaces where we support and strengthen one another, but we are also raising both the floor and the ceiling for future leadership, impact, and possibility.”
- Johanna Bolander, Keynote Speaker, imec
To view photos from the event, click here!
Webinar: Women in Leadership Speaker Series featuring Marvell, "Women Powering the AI Silicon Revolution: Leadership, Impact & the Future of Semiconductors"
This panel brings together senior women leaders from across Marvell to share perspectives on how the semiconductor industry is evolving—and how leadership, innovation, and talent development are shaping its future. Through personal career journeys, technical insights, and leadership lessons, the discussion highlights the role women play in driving AI infrastructure, advanced silicon design, and business transformation across the industry.
Panelists:
- Eva Holmes, Senior Program Manager, Marvell Third-Party IP team, Panel moderator
- Allyson Stewart, Senior Director, Marvell, Advanced Packaging
- Jeanne Trinko Mechler, Fellow and Technical Vice President, Marvell Data Center Group
- Krithika Moorti, Senior Director, Marvell Custom Compute Group
- Laura Lucas, Senior Director, Marvell Finance
- Manisha Gambhir, Senior Director, Central Engineering AMS
Watch the recording now on our website!
Austin Lunch and Learn
The GSA WLI Lunch and Learn series aims to offer a blend of executive and technical topics, featuring women who are leaders in their respective fields. Under the theme “Pathway to Success,” these empowering events also provide an excellent opportunity for professionals from different companies in the semiconductor industry to connect, network, and gain valuable insights, which is essential for visibility and professional growth.
On July 24th we are organizing a Lunch and Learn at AMD’s offices in Austin, TX. Stay tuned for details on speakers and keynotes. Thank you to AMD for hosting!
📅 Date: July 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM CDT
📍 Location: Austin, TX
🏢 Hosted by: AMD
Note: this event is invitation only. If interested, please reach out to wli@gsaglobal.org.
Board-Ready Women's Event
Women who have achieved great success in their corporate leadership role often look for other ways to expand their careers and experience and finding a great fit on a public board of directors may be one opportunity. However, finding the first public board is often a daunting task. We will bring together some of the most successful female directors to learn how they navigated this career path and are contributing to public boards.
Thank you to Credo for hosting!
Who Should Attend
Senior women (VP or C-level) from the semiconductor industry who want to ultimately be on public boards. At this event, they can meet the most successful female board members and learn how they have navigated their careers.
📅 Date: August 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM PDT
🏢 Host Sponsor: Credo
💜 Sponsors: Credo and Egon Zehnder
Learn more on our website.
Note: this event is invitation only. If interested, please reach out to wli@gsaglobal.org.
Women in Hardware Mentorship (WHM) Ending Event
We are over halfway through this year’s WHM cohort. Our mentors and mentees are forging new connections with this program while expanding their resources, tools, and strategic insights to further their careers. We will hold our WHM Ending Event for the 2026 cohort at Meta’s offices in Menlo Park on August 26th. Thank you to Meta for hosting!
Thank you to our esteemed mentors for your leadership and making this program possible.
The WISH Conference is WLI's largest technical conference bringing together industry luminaries, entrepreneurs, and university women in STEM. This year, WISH will take place on November 10th at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The event will welcome over 1,000 attendees, including industry luminaries, visionary entrepreneurs, and brilliant university students in STEM, and showcase the evolving landscape of technology.
Register here!
Want to get more involved and become a Sponsor? Visit our WISH Sponsorship page or contact wli@gsaglobal.org for available opportunities.
Our 2026 WISH Call For Papers, as well as nominations for the WLI Awards are live!
WISH Conference Call for Papers – Abstracts are due by July 13th, 2026.
Selected papers will be invited for presentation at WISH, and featured posters will be displayed throughout the event. We strongly encourage you to share the WISH 2026 Call for Papers with women in your organization and support their participation in submitting and showcasing their work. Final presenter selections will be made by the WISH Technical Steering Committee.
Nominations for the Dr. Lisa Su Woman of Innovation Award, Rising Women in Semi Award, Female Up and Comer Award, Women of Influence Award and Designing the Difference Award are due by July 27th, 2026.
A huge welcome to Cohort 2!
We kicked off the journey last month at Marvell with two high-impact days designed to shift perspectives and lay the groundwork for executive growth. Matt Murphy, Janice Hall, and Sylvia Acevedo set the tone with candid insights on the mindset needed to reach the next level. Bill John of Odyssey Teams challenged us to align personal purpose with leadership goals in a transformative workshop. We closed with George Kohlreiser and our executive coaches for a deep dive into Secure-Base Leadership, translating psychology into immediate, actionable coaching.
The Road Ahead:
Individual and group leadership coaching continues through May and June; our next virtual session, “How to Advance Your Career,” took place on May 19; and monthly Accountability Group meetings begin in June to foster peer support and consistency. Feedback from the kickoff has been phenomenal and we are thrilled to continue building a powerful community of leaders who will shape the future of the semiconductor industry!
For more information, contact Elizabeth Lagaly at elagaly@gsaglobal.org.
University Programming
GTI University Programs are building strong momentum through the second half of 2026, with expanded programming across the U.S. and internationally, plus the launch of new initiatives like the GTI Intern Summit this summer in Silicon Valley.
This spring, GTI programs brought students and industry professionals together through keynotes, panels, networking sessions, interactive discussions, and a new virtual multi-school program focused on career pathways and the future of semiconductors. The fall semester will continue that momentum with an active schedule of university programs designed to connect students with industry leaders and provide greater visibility into the semiconductor ecosystem and emerging technologies.
These programs give GSA member companies meaningful opportunities to engage directly with students, increase awareness of semiconductor careers, and share real-world perspectives from across the industry.
To view upcoming programs and dates, please visit our GTI University Program Calendar of Events.
Stay Connected
If your company is interested in getting involved in 2026, please reach out to lraich@gsaglobal.org
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in the Bay Area gained significant momentum this year—driven by a powerful force of leaders committed to advancing awareness, prevention, and equitable care of cardiovascular disease for women. Sylvia Acevedo, author, engineer, CEO, strategist, Board leader and trailblazer, was at the center of this year’s campaign efforts for Go Red for Women, serving as 2026 Go Red Chair for the Bay Area. Sylvia brought together an influential Executive Leadership Team which played a vital role in shaping the success of Go Red for Women.
One of the quiet challenges many of us carry is an uncanny ability to remember unfavorable moments. When we internalize conversations, replaying what went wrong, what could have been said differently, or how something made us feel—we lose momentum. The energy spent reliving yesterday is energy we can’t invest in shaping a positive tomorrow. When we direct our awareness forward instead of backward, we create opportunities for growth. Progress doesn’t come from perfect recall; it comes from purposeful action focused on what we do next. What Can We Do? Be a Goldfish.
Technology disruptions don’t just reshape industries—they reshape who gets to lead them. When entirely new paradigms emerge, like co-packaged optics (CPO), the rules are still being written. That creates space for people who are curious, adaptable, and ready to step into something new. This often opens doors that didn’t exist before. At Ayar Labs, CPO is driving the next phase of scale for AI and hyperscale infrastructure. As the technology moves from innovation to deployment, it’s also creating new opportunities for collaboration, growth, and impact across disciplines.
In that spirit, we’re highlighting four women at Ayar Labs who are helping shape this transformation. Through their stories, they share the paths that brought them here, what inspires their work, and what continues to energize them as they build the future of this industry.
The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI)’s Allyship Program highlights individuals who actively support, mentor, and advocate for women in the workplace, fostering an environment where every voice is heard, and every talent is recognized.
Nominations are open! There is no deadline to submit, the only requirement is that nominations be made by a woman! You can learn more about the program and submit a nomination here.
We have launched a new Spotlight campaign for our Allies called "In Her Words." This is a space for women to recognize male allies from our Allyship Program who have made a difference. If there’s a male Ally who helped create a more inclusive environment, we invite you to share a short reflection (2–3 sentences). We will feature this in the newsletter, on our website, and socials to give recognition to our Allies. If you would like to submit a reflection, please email it to ahines@gsaglobal.org
Social Media Visibility Campaign – WLI showcases and shares the stories of inspirational women in the semiconductor industry on our social media pages.
This has been such a great way to shine the spotlight on those inspirational women in the industry on our WLI social channels: Instagram and LinkedIn. Any woman at any stage of her career and in any role (non-tech or tech) can participate.
Career Advice Campaign – The campaign will allow women in the industry to submit career advice / tips to be featured on WLI’s social media and help others develop a skills inventory and reach their goals.
Please email marketing@gsaglobal.org to submit to any of our campaigns or to learn more about how you can contribute content!
Women in Hardware Mentorship Program Campaign – We will be highlighting testimonials from our mentor’s and mentee’s experience in our mentorship program throughout May!
“Overall, WHM strengthened my leadership foundation and reinforced my conviction that women can lead high-performing teams with confidence and authenticity. I am grateful for a program that invests so intentionally in developing women leaders.”
- Jie Lin, Marvell
“WHM has helped me expand my network and strengthened my belief in the importance of sponsorship, authentic leadership, and visibility. I’m grateful to be part of a program that truly invests in growing confident, impactful leaders."
- Pankaj Sharma, AMD
International Women's Day – With International Women's Day in March, we honored the remarkable contributions of women by highlighting their stories. Check it out on our LinkedIn!
Become a WLI sponsor! Check out our WLI sponsorship packages or consider sponsoring the 2026 WISH Conference, our biggest event of the year: 2026 WISH Conference sponsorship packages. Your support is essential in helping WLI continue to grow and create impactful events. If you’re interested in sponsoring WLI or WISH or have any questions, please reach out to Traci Brandon and Ahlam Samad at wli@gsaglobal.org.
