Empowering Connections: The Women in Electronics Summit 2023

An incredible week unfolded at the 7th Annual Women in Electronics Leadership Summit in San Diego, California. With a turnout of over 180 women and men in attendance, the event was a focal point for discussions aimed towards “Leveling Up” women across all sectors of the electronics industry. Altium & Octopart are proudly positioned as Platinum-level sponsors of the Women in Electronics (WE) organization, and women across the company were eager to participate in this event. Being a Platinum Sponsor isn't merely a financial contribution. It's a statement. It signifies Altium & Octopart's belief in the power of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences that women bring to the table.

Day 1: Inspiring Voices In The Industry Take Center Stage

The first day of the summit was dedicated exclusively to women, tailoring the curriculum towards the unique challenges women face working within the electronics industry. Several influential speakers attended the summit; one of the most notable included Lynn Torerel, Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer at Flex. Lynn graciously shared her journey in the electronics sector, highlighting her ability to navigate the complexities of career growth while simultaneously raising a family. Her advice resonated with the attendees, encouraging women to raise their hands for new opportunities and to embrace the unfamiliar.  Pulling from her own experience, Lynn emphasized that when she was invited to leadership meetings, she knew she was there for a reason and that her thoughts and opinions mattered. This mindset is one of the many attributes that helped her find confidence and success. 

Day 1 continued to inspire attendees with insights from Linda Johnson, Executive Vice President of Operations at Digikey, and Roya Ansari, Chief Revenue Officer at Z2Data. Both women shared their journeys to success in the electronics industry and left the attendees with valuable insights and encouragement to take action on what they learned. Linda dove into the qualities of a highly effective leader, sharing how her values have been a guiding force in shaping her leadership style. Roya concluded the day with her unique story as a minority woman who started at the bottom and paved a path for her own success through hard work and resiliency, even in the face of adversity, racism, and sexism. Her key message to the attendees was to define your personal brand and use it as the foundation throughout your journey to and within leadership. 

Day 2: Men Join The Conversation: Breaking Barriers Together

The second day was shared with a select group of men who were invited by WE leadership to take part in critical discussions about biases and the importance of gender diversity in a team. The day commenced with a presentation from Michael Knight, President & CEO of Endries International Inc. and WE Advisory Council member. Michael presented eye-opening statistics about diversity in the technology industry and highlighted some of the biases women and men face in the workplace. This was followed by table discussions about the “7 Superpowers of Men and Women” led by Dr. Shawn Andrews, who opened up the conversation about the strengths both genders bring to the workplace and how we can harness these strengths to build stronger teams. 

The day ended with a panel discussion called “Ask the Leaders” featuring Lynn Torrel, Linda Johnson, Michael Knight, Don Akery and Phil Gallagher. The audience brought forth thought-provoking questions about leadership, overcoming adversity, and navigating the challenges women currently face in the workplace. Hearing from the panel about their experience, gaining their advice and having a chance to interact with these leaders was a great way to close the conference and encourage the attendees to put their newfound knowledge into action. 

Forging Meaningful Connections:

Beyond the incredible opportunity to learn from leaders in the industry, the summit also provided a valuable platform for networking. The WE team led a session focused on networking skills, presenting confidence when meeting new colleagues, and the importance of forging meaningful connections. The “Power of Networking” session was a standout, allowing attendees to mingle and connect with other women in the industry and exchange ideas for both personal and professional growth. 

Leveling Up Diversity Within The Electronics Industry

The Women in Electronics Summit underscored the presenting need for diversity within the electronics sector. Through engaging dialogues, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking sessions, the event highlighted the ascending significance and impact of women in the industry. The Women in Electronics Organization represents a movement, and Altium & Octopart are active participants in this movement. Their sponsorship embodies the spirit of collaboration and community, proving once again that when industry giants take steps toward inclusion, the entire field leaps toward progress.

For more information on Women in Electronics, click here.