Hi,
The countdown is on—the 2026 WISH Conference is just three months away! This year’s WISH will be our most expansive yet, bringing together even more leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the industry.
Registration is LIVE, and we encourage you to secure your spot soon!
We’re also excited to offer a special rate this year, permanent Early Bird pricing, to make the WISH experience more accessible and create more opportunities for our community to join us. Plus, we’re unveiling a new interactive experience...the WISHing Wall: designed to inspire and celebrate aspirations. (Keep reading for more details!)
As summer brings new opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow, we’re reminded that the strength of WLI comes from each and every one of you. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and for helping us continue to build a stronger, more connected semiconductor industry.
Whether you’re new to WLI or a longtime supporter, we invite you to be part of our movement, share your ideas, connect with peers, mentor others, and help shape the future of leadership in semiconductors. Additionally, we have so many exciting ways to get involved!
A special thank you to Credo, our WLI Newsletter Sponsor, for their continued support and commitment to our mission.
-The WLI Team
- Board-Ready Women's Event | August 25 | Credo | San Jose | Invitation Only
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WHM Ending Event | August 26 | Meta | Menlo Park
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WISH 2026 | November 10th | Santa Clara Convention Center | Register Here
The GSA WLI Lunch and Learn series brings together professionals from various companies in the industry to connect, network, and learn from inspiring stories of success. Each event features engaging keynote presentations and insightful panel discussions led by women who are leaders in their respective fields. Centered around the theme "Pathways to Success", these empowering events are designed to support the career growth and professional aspirations of the women in the semiconductor industry. Hosted in the US, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions, this series builds a connected network of women dedicated to achieving professional excellence and empowering one another.
On July 24th we held a Lunch and Learn at AMD’s offices in Austin, TX. Thank you so much to our brilliant speakers and to the amazing team at AMD for hosting!
Opening Remarks: GSA and Kim Vo, CVP, Chief IP Officer, AMD
Keynote Presentation: Rita Gupta, Fellow, AMD
Pathways to Success Panel Discussion moderated by: Pankaj Sharma, Senior Manager Design Engineering, AMD
Panelists:
- Lisa Dulchinos, Chief Financial Officer, Ayar Labs
- Lisa Ryan, Partner, Fragomen
- Pratima Rao, Materials Engineering Director, Lam Research
- Susan Graham, Director and Distinguished Engineer Technology Enablement & Analytics - Solution Engineering, Arm
- Cristina Beldica, Sr Director, HPC and AI Software Engineering, Intel
Rita Gupta, our keynote speaker, shared invaluable advice on how to build your village instead of a boardroom, overcoming imposter syndrome, and showing us how being the only one in the room can be an advantage. She framed success as journey instead of a straight line highlighting that our careers involve unexpected turns, uncertainty, and learning experiences. Our panelists shared personal stories that explored the themes of mentorship, decision making, trade-offs, and imposter syndrome. A recurring message was that successful leaders don't avoid uncertainty; they learn how to make thoughtful decisions despite it.
To see pictures from the event click here!
Event Testimonial
“Events like these remind me how valuable it is to learn from accomplished leaders, connect with peers across the industry, and continue supporting the growth of women in technology. Already looking forward to the next one!” – Laya H, AMD
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.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Credo, who has kindly offered to host this important event at their offices in San Jose, CA!
📅 Date: August 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM Pacific Time
🏢 Hosted by: Credo
🤝 Sponsors: Bain & Company, Credo, Egon Zehnder
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Host Sponsor: Credo
Egon Zehnder
Bain & Company
Opening Remarks: GSA and Diane Vanasse, VP of Marketing Communications, Credo
Presentation and Q&A by Egon Zehnder (Jon Carter, Board & CEO Leadership Advisory, Sarah Van Dyck, Global Consumer Practice Co-Leader, Sophia Marzouk, Technology & Semiconductors Practices Consultant)
Presentation and Q&A: David Crawford, Chairman of Global Technology & Cloud Services, Bain & Company
Pathways to Boardroom Panel Discussion moderated by: Deirdre Hanford, Semiconductor Consultant and Advisor
Panelists:
- Sylvia Acevedo, Professional Speaker, Lead Independent Board Director, Author, Qualcomm, Credo
- Ellen Barker, Independent Director; Chair of the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee, Microchip Technology
- Judy Bruner, Board Member and Committee Chair, Applied Materials, Qorvo, Rapid7
- Diane Bryant, Board Committee Chair, Independent Director, Former CEO, ScaleFlux, mmTron Inc., Haeomonetics, Broadcom, UC Davis
- Patricia Kummrow, Board Member and Nom/Gov Chair, Board Member and Comp Chair, Synaptics, Napatech
Presentation: Boardroom Journey and Q&A with:
- Claudia Fan Munce, Venture Advisor, Board Member, Faculty, New Enterprise Associates, Best Buy, Arteris, BMO, Stanford University Graduate School of Business
- Laurie Yoler, Partner at Playground Global, Innovation & Technology and Board Governance Leader, Church & Dwight Co, Inc., Aptiv, Broadway Angels
Testimonial
"Through a series of eye-opening panels and discussions, the event brought together major leaders across the STEM industries to advocate for female visibility and leadership ... We can’t wait to see how these important conversations turn into actionable change in board rooms and meetings going forward." - Egon Zehnder
Note: this event is invitation only. If interested, please reach out to wli@gsaglobal.org.
We will hold our ending event for the 2026 cohort at Meta’s offices in Menlo Park on August 26th. We would like to extend our gratitude to Meta, who has kindly offered to host this important event at their offices in Menlo Park, CA!
As we conclude the 4th cohort of the WHM Program, we celebrate the connections made, lessons learned, and confidence gained. We look forward to our Ending Event, where Meta's Jason Hartlove, VP of XDO (Display and Optics) will deliver the Executive Welcoming Remarks, followed by Elene Terry, Sr. Director, Silicon Accelerators at Meta who will share her inspiring personal journey. The attendees will engage in interactive activities with mentors to address pressing career questions, participate in a Personal Branding Wrap-Up, and regroup in circles to discuss real-life applications of what they have learned. Finally we will hold a graduation ceremony to recognize the mentees and present them with their WHM Program Certificates of Completion.
We look forward to seeing each of our Mentees continue to lead, grow, and inspire others.
Thank you to our esteemed mentors for your leadership and making this program possible.
Testimonial
“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
To learn more about WHM, please visit Women in Hardware Mentorship Program - Design The Solution
REGISTER TODAY! WISH 2026 – November 10 at the Santa Clara Convention Center (new location!)
The WISH Conference is WLI’s premier technical event that promises to be an inspiring celebration of innovation and empowerment. With over 1,000 attendees, including industry luminaries, visionary entrepreneurs, and university students in STEM, this event will showcase the evolving landscape of technology.
What to expect:
🎤 Keynotes by industry trailblazers who are transforming the tech world.
🏆 Celebratory awards honoring extraordinary women who have broken the glass ceiling and are paving the way for future generations.
🗨️ Dynamic panel discussions exploring leadership, real stories from Award-Winning Women in Tech, and the future of AI in the semiconductor industry.
Hear from our speakers including:
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Audrey Charles / SVP Corporate Strategy, Advanced Packaging, Lam Research and President, Lam Capital / Lam Research
- Jennifer Lloyd / President & CEO / Power Integrations
- Rani Borkar / President, Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure / Microsoft
- Julie Sheridan Eng / EVP, Optical Components and Chief Technology Officer / Coherent
🌟 We're SO excited to welcome back Annelise McCarthy as our as our EMCEE for WISH! Her dynamic energy and engaging presence made last year's event unforgettable. Get ready for another amazing experience!
Register here!
Want to get more involved and become a Sponsor? Visit our WISH Sponsorship page or contact wli@gsaglobal.org for available opportunities.
WLI Awards at WISH
Four awards are presented to industry women throughout the day at WISH, last year's recipients were:
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Dr. Lisa Su Woman of Innovation Award, Dr. Julie Sheridan Eng from Coherent
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Rising Women in Semi Award, Manisha Gambhir from Marvell
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Female Up & Comer Award, Yanfang Le from AMD
- Designing the Difference Award was awarded to Marvell
We will be announcing the nominees for this year's WISH Awards soon – the Dr. Lisa Su Woman of Innovation recipient and nominees for the Rising Women in Semi Award, the Female Up & Comer Award and the Designing the Difference Award!
Get Ready for Unforgettable WISH Experiences!
A Special Shout Out to Our WISH Title Sponsor: Marvell!
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to Marvell for their unwavering support as our Title Sponsor. Your dedication inspires us all to reach new heights. Thank you for being an integral part of the WISH experience!
This year's WISH Conference is set to be an unforgettable event, packed with exciting new experiences and returning favorites that will elevate your time with us.
New Experiences:
🌟 Wishing Wall by Ayar Labs: Post your wishes for a chance to see them come true!
🍹 Smoothie Break by Cadence: Refresh yourself with delicious smoothies while mingling.
☕ Coffee Station by Astera Labs: For the coffee lovers!
⚡ Charging Stations by Cisco: Stay plugged in and charged as you navigate the conference.
📊 Event Survey by Renesas: Share your thoughts for a chance to win a prize—lucky winners will be drawn from those who participate!
Returning Favorites:
💆 Wellness Break by Samsung: Unwind with soothing massages to revive your energy.
📸 Photobooths by Credo: Capture a polished image with a complimentary headshot.
🍰 Dessert Bar by Coherent: Treat yourself to a selection of delicious sweets that will keep you smiling.
🍩Breakfast by Siemens: Fuel your morning with a delightful breakfast.
Welcome New WISH Sponsors
🥂WISH VIP Reception by Intel
🍽️Lunch by TSMC
🛜Wifi by Lam Research,
Platinum: Applied Materials
Gold: Micron
General: Cerebras
General: Evergreen Valley Law Group
EAP - a Packed & Powerful Fall Ahead
It’s shaping up to be an incredible, action-packed fall for our Executive Accelerator Program! We are diving headfirst into our Financial Literacy and Executive Presence modules, packed with world-class speakers, hands-on workshops and culminating in the NYSE/Wired interviews.
Coming Up:
- Executive Style & Presence Experience: Personalized color analysis, silhouette profiling, and curated wardrobe strategies with the Abby Young Styling team to help leaders align their image with their strategic goals.
- Executive Communication: Mastering high-impact delivery and confidence with the incomparable Annelise McCarthy (Her Speaking Coach).
- Financial Literacy Series: Deep-dive sessions with Chris Cordone (Morgan Stanley / Financial Edge).
- CFO Fireside Chat Series: Exclusive insights from top industry leaders, including Colette Kress (Nvidia), Jean Hu (AMD), and Sherri Luther (Coherent).
- NYSE Media Day: A special session featuring Brian Bauman and John Furrier.
University Programming
GTI University Programs continue to connect students with semiconductor industry professionals through keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking sessions, and interactive conversations focused on emerging technologies, industry trends, and career pathways.
This summer, GTI hosted its inaugural GTI Intern Summit in Silicon Valley, welcoming more than 120 interns representing eight leading semiconductor companies for an afternoon of professional development, career conversations, and networking. The program featured executive and early-career panels, interactive discussions, and opportunities for interns to connect with peers and industry leaders from across the semiconductor ecosystem.
Looking ahead, GTI's Fall 2026 semester will be our largest to date, with programs planned at universities across the U.S., including UT Austin, NC State, Texas A&M, Arizona State, UCLA, Michigan, San Jose State, UC Berkeley, and more.
There are many ways to get involved, including serving as a keynote speaker, panelist, moderator, or networking representative. Whether your organization is looking to increase brand awareness on campus, share technical expertise, or connect with future talent, GTI University Programs provide meaningful opportunities to engage with students at leading universities.
To view upcoming programs and dates, please visit the GTI University Program Calendar of Events. If you or your team are interested in participating in upcoming programs, please contact Lara Raich at lraich@gsaglobal.org.
One of the aspects of my role that I value most is the opportunity to lead a marketing team that reflects a wide range of viewpoints and experiences. My team of four women and three men brings together a rich blend of nationalities, cultures, and global perspectives. Some team members have spent more than a decade in the semiconductor industry, while others have built expertise in adjacent fields.
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us—especially women—carry an unseen weight: guilt. Guilt for not doing enough. For doing too much. For prioritizing career over family—or family over career. For speaking up. For staying silent. For simply taking a moment to pause and breathe...
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.
Please email marketing@gsaglobal.org to submit to any of our campaigns or to learn more about how you can contribute content!
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.
Global Semiconductor Alliance, 12400 Coit Rd., Ste. 650, Dallas, TX 75021
