Don't miss your chance to network like a pro at the Networking Breakfast. This is also a great opportunity to meet our Mentors of the Day at the Mentors of the Day Lounge.

Kathi Vidal serves as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) – America’s Innovation Agency.

As the chief executive of the USPTO, she leads one of the largest intellectual property (IP) offices in the world, with more than 13,000 public servants and an annual budget of more than $4 billion. She is the principal IP advisor to the President and the Administration, through the Secretary of Commerce, and is focused on incentivizing and protecting U.S. innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Named one of Managing IP’s top 50 most influential people in IP in 2022, she leads an agency whose mission is to help American workers and businesses compete and collaborate, especially in ground-breaking technologies and across all demographics. As Director of the USPTO, Vidal is working to expand American innovation for and from all, and to bring more ideas to impact, including serving as the Vice Chair of the Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2), alongside Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and the Council members, a Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE), and the Co-Founder, with the Secretary, of the Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) initiative.

In the ever-evolving workplace, passing the baton to the next generation is an indispensable practice. Seasoned professionals, with their wealth of experience, must mentor and guide emerging talents. This transfer of knowledge and responsibility ensures the seamless transition of skills, leadership, and corporate culture. As veterans share their insights, they empower the next wave of innovators to navigate the challenges of the modern professional landscape. This relay of expertise not only promotes growth but also fuels the organization's adaptability and sustainability. It's a collaborative effort that bridges generational gaps, nurturing a legacy of progress and excellence in the workplace. Join us for a candid conversation with Tracy Shickel  of University of Delaware, Erica Woolridge of AstraZeneca and Danielle Vozzo of Agilent Technologies, Inc. and moderated by Katie Lakofsky of Delaware Biotechnology Institute.

As an individual contributor, the art of influencing transcends hierarchical power. Empowering others through passion and expertise becomes paramount. Through active listening, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving, an influencer cultivates trust and respect among peers. They lead not through authority but by inspiring change, fostering an environment of innovation, and demonstrating unwavering dedication to shared goals. In this session, Jessica Jordan,  s enior consultant, continuous improvement of DuPont, will show you how to exemplify integrity and humility, motivate colleagues to exceed their potential, and forge a collective drive for success. As your influence ripples through the organization, an individual contributor leaves a lasting legacy of transformation, leaving no doubt that leadership can be found at every level.  Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long will join Jessica for an interactive discussion on your secret weapon for growth!

Do you want to find greater clarity about who you are and where you want to go? Do you want to develop better habits? Are you looking for more joy and fulfillment out of your days? Finding and living your ikigai can help you do all of the above, so you can be the best version of yourself - today and every day. Ikigai, a Japanese concept, encapsulates the essence of a fulfilling life. It represents the convergence of passion, profession, mission, and vocation. Each person’s ikigai is personal and specific to their own lives, values, and beliefs... Every one of us has an Ikigai - a reason for being or a purpose in our life. Your Ikigai doesn’t have to be some grand ambition or highly noble life’s purpose – it can be something simple and humble, like tending your garden or walking your dog.

In this session, Keisha Morris shows that embracing ikigai provides a roadmap for living with intention, unlocking inner potential, and finding meaning in everyday pursuits. This session is packed with lessons on how to lead purpose-driven lives and create harmony and happiness in leading a more rewarding, joyful, and authentic life. Join this action-oriented session as Keisha helps you find your ikigai.

Let’s take a few moments with Ann O'Brien to bring the focus inward and connect the mind and body. The practice of mindfulness is a powerful tool for cultivating heightened awareness, improved self-regulation, and increased emotional intelligence. Through a series of breathing exercises and deliberate movements, this session will provide you with strategies to disentangle yourself from external stresses so you can align your actions and reactions with your true intent.

Allyship embodies the essence of solidarity and support, transcending personal interests to stand alongside marginalized communities. It involves actively listening, educating oneself on diverse experiences, and acknowledging inherent privileges. An ally commits to challenging systemic injustice and discrimination, advocating for inclusivity and equality. True allyship empowers underrepresented voices, amplifying their narratives rather than speaking for them. In this session, Gerry Alexis will show you how to foster a safe and inclusive space for open dialogue and actively dismantle oppressive norms. Gerry will be joined by Simone Novaes-Card for a timely conversation on how to improve understanding and actively work towards a more equitable world, ensuring that everyone's rights and dignity are upheld and celebrated.

The phrase “women’s intuition” is not without merit. This sense, this knowing, is evolved and refined through the advancing of our formal knowledge and hands on experiences; and in the development of our leadership voices and positions throughout our professional careers. In this session Nicole Homer will explore the danger of prioritizing external validation over personal intuition; and how to understand and to use our intuition as a superpower as we navigate throughout our professional spaces.  

Women today have more opportunities than ever, but we still see women leave STEM careers, never to return as they continue to struggle to be heard and have their contributions respected. All this while juggling the responsibilities of family and home with their career. Women STEM Leaders share their own advice, experience, and thoughts on making choices and building alliances to make the most of those opportunities. Teri Quinn Gray, chief operating officer of Provivi, Inc., and Amber Wellman, chief sustainability officer of Chemours, join Michele Schiavoni, vice president of communications and marketing for The Wistar Institute for an engaging fireside chat to provide valuable insights on their leadership development journeys.

Save space in your day for individual networking sessions! Start using the Inspiring Women in STEM | 2023 Conference app to schedule one-on-one or small group networking sessions to take place onsite at the conclusion of the scheduled programming. Did you miss a connection with a fellow conference attendee? No worries, use the conference app to connect and request a meeting!

The 2023 Inspiring Women in STEM Conference is excited to welcome back our Mentors of the Day sessions! An array of local thought-leading professional STEM leaders are ready to engage in an intimate setting to exchange ideas and insights about career development, professional interests, leadership skills, and much more. Mentors of the Day sessions will take place at the conclusion of the conference sessions with a limited number of participants in each session. When registering for the conference you can select a mentor of choice, but hurry as spots fill quickly!

Indulge in the art of meaningful connections at our Afternoon Networking Tea. Sip on exquisite blends and savor delectable treats as you engage with like-minded professionals in a relaxed and convivial ambiance. This unique setting fosters organic conversations, igniting collaborations, and forging lasting relationships. Whether you're seeking new partnerships or sharing industry insights, our Afternoon Networking Tea provides the perfect backdrop to cultivate valuable connections. Embrace the power of networking over a cup of tea, and watch as the seeds of inspiration and camaraderie blossom into a thriving network of opportunities.