GSA Women's Leadership Initiative

This ✨JUST✨In! We are thrilled to join forces with Renesas Electronics for an exclusive webinar, "Accelerating Action Towards Equality". Join us on March 27th for an inspiring session featuring women leaders in engineering. Our incredible speakers will share their career journeys and explore how inclusion and gender equality drive workplace innovation. Moderator: 💖Andriiana Kolych, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Talent Development, Renesas Panelists: 💖Chandana Pairla, VP of the Connectivity Division, Renesas 💖Elif Balkas, Chief Technology Officer, Wolfspeed Don’t miss this insightful panel discussion on how we can all Accelerate Action for gender equality and challenge biases in today’s world! Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/gQvkWrVv. #WLI #semiconductor #womeninsemi #womenengineers #diversity #equality

Happy International Women’s Day to all!

Our Allyship Program continues and we are proud to introduce to you our newest recruit, Tait Sorensen, Head of The Americas Public Affairs, STMicroelectronics. Tate was nominated by Shawn Young - Graulich. "Tait has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to championing the advancement of women within the semiconductor industry.   As a male ally, Tait has actively supported, mentored, and advocated for women in the workplace, fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard, and every talent is recognized. His efforts have significantly contributed to breaking down barriers and inspiring collaboration, aligning perfectly with the goals of the WLI Allyship Program." Tait Sorensen is the leader of a new organization within STMicroelectronics (ST). He champions policies that align with ST’s strategic objectives through active engagement with industry stakeholders and policymakers. After a long tenure leading ST’s global Investor Relations team, in July 2023, Tait assumed the role of Head of the Americas Public Affairs reporting to ST’s President, Legal Counsel and Public Affairs. He maintains offices in both Scottsdale, Arizona and Coppell, Texas, and is the primary interface for ST’s membership in industry associations in the Americas including the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association and the Global Semiconductor Alliance. His focus is to drive innovation, shape regulatory environments, and support growth opportunities by showcasing ST’s manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technologies. Additionally, he elevates awareness of ST’s crucial role in the semiconductor industry across the Americas. Prior to joining ST in May 2000, Tait was a Vice President with Christensen & Associates, a leading investor relations firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. His career also includes three years of mortgage banking experience in San Diego, California. A third-generation Arizonan, he earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona. He later graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Business Administration. Tait is married to Ann Sorensen and has two adult sons, Thomas and Jack, and a Whoodle dog, Chewie. 💡Tait was also recently featured on our WLI Blog with, "Allyship in Practice – A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Tait Sorensen." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gUgAa8-Z. Learn more on WLI and our Allyship program at the link: https://lnkd.in/gz6G6Kw5. #WLI #semiconductor #technology #allyship

💜 A month-long tribute to amazing women starts NOW! 💜 International Women’s Day is every day in our book, and we’re thrilled to kick things off with our first feature: Marvell Technology! We are proud to introduce to you Lisa DiFrisco, Director of Sales Strategic OEMs & East at Marvell. Let's learn more on her and the journey to a career in semiconductors below: "I was introduced to the semi-industry by way of acquisition, I started my career in network connectivity selling turnkey adapter-based solutions. I love working in an industry that is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities for growth. I am continually learning while contributing to transformative technologies that shape our modern world. I am most proud of the sales team that I lead at Marvell. They thrive on collaboration, always sharing insights and strategies to overcome challenges and seize new design opportunities and their unwavering support for one another fosters a positive and motivating environment that drives our success. " What International Women’s Day mean to her? "It serves as a reminder of the strength and determination that women bring to every aspect of life, be it in personal relationships, professional endeavors or societal impact. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality, acknowledge the challenges that still exist, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting and empowering women. This is especially important to me as a mother of a 15-year-old daughter who is finding her path in the world." Thank you for sharing Lisa! Stay tuned for more incredible stories! Learn more on WLI: https://lnkd.in/d5GC5KXp. #WLI #WomeninSemi #semiconductor #IWD2025 #womenempowerment

✨March Kicks Off Women’s History Month: This year's theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” ✨ Women’s History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the countless contributions women have made to society, culture, and history. From pioneering leaders and activists to innovators and change-makers, this month serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and progress driven by women throughout the years. It’s a time to reflect on the strides made toward equality while continuing to push for a more inclusive and empowered future. As part of this celebration, WLI is honoring International Women’s Day (March 8) all month long, amplifying the voices, achievements, and leadership of women across all fields. Stay tuned as we will be spotlighting incredible women throughout our industry over the next four weeks! Join us in celebrating the women who have paved the way, those who are making history today, and the future leaders who will continue to break barriers. Together, we honor the past, embrace the present, and shape a future where all women can thrive. 💜 #WomensHistoryMonth #IWD #EmpowerWomen #WLI #InternationalWomensDay2025

Thank you Cadence Academic Network!

We were thrilled to kick off this year’s first gathering of the Women in Hardware Mentorship Program with an inspiring Personal Brand workshop, led by WHM Mentor Ingrid Cotoros. The workshop was developed by WHM Mentors who have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities the mentees face in our industry. Each mentee was equipped with a toolkit and also paired with Mentors to provide personalized guidance and support. Key Takeaways: 🍏Explored the Personal Brand Statement process and its role in career growth. 🍏Engaged in hands-on exercises to identify our unique strengths, values, and aspirations. 🍏Discussed overcoming societal norms that often discourage women from highlighting their achievements and ambitions. Ingrid emphasized that a personal brand is not just about self-promotion; it’s about telling your story and resetting expectations. By crafting a compelling brand, we can build connections, grow our impact, and open doors to new opportunities. Learn more in WHM and WLI at the link: https://lnkd.in/gUKDQUPg. #WLI #WHM #semiconductors #womeninsemi #personalbranding

Last week, we had the honor of collaborating once again with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the Navigate Your Way to a Career in Semiconductors session! A huge thank you to all the students who attended, as well as our incredible speakers and participating companies! We look forward to our next collaboration with MIT.nano! 🚀Nitza Basoco / Technology and Market Strategist / Teradyne 🚀 Kavya Kollu / Graphics Design Verification Engineer / Meta 🚀 Muthulakshmi Muthukumarasamy / Senior Software Architect / Cadence 🚀 Kathy Wilcox / Senior Fellow Design Engineer / AMD 🚀 Takako Hirokawa / Photonic Device Engineer / GlobalFoundries 🚀Savinaya Rajendra / Staff Design Engineer / Marvell Technology 🚀Bhavana Subramanian / Field Applications Engineer / STMicroelectronics 🚀Srinishanth Rajarajan / Software Engineer / Arm Participating companies: AMD, Arm, Analog Devices, Cadence, GlobalFoundries, Meta, Marvell Technology, Siemens, STMicroelectronics, Teradyne. Learn more on upcoming WLI University events at the link: #WLI #university #semiconductors #technology

What an inspiring month it has been, dedicated to celebrating the incredible women who have shaped and continue to shape our industry in honor of Black History Month! 🖤 Their talent, leadership, and contributions deserve far more than just a month of recognition—we honor and uplift them every single day. Their resilience, innovation, and influence leave a lasting impact, paving the way for future generations and enriching our industry in immeasurable ways. Let’s continue to amplify their voices, celebrate their achievements, and ensure their legacies are recognized all year round! Our final feature this month is the amazing Quandra Hamilton, Senior Staff Manager, Design Verification at Marvell Technology. "My career journey in the semiconductor industry has taken many twists and turns, but I have embraced every moment of it. I am currently a manager and technical leader at Marvell Technology, responsible for delivering silicon design solutions for next-generation carriers, data centers, enterprise, and custom applications, including AI solutions. In this role, I have an opportunity to work with best-in-class teams to develop complex systems using leading technologies. After more than 20+ years in the industry, I still enjoy the technical challenges. As a proud graduate of Southern University, one of the nation's largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), I began my career as a design verification engineer in the IBM Microelectronics group. At IBM, I also worked in the Systems Group, where we developed the PlayStation gaming processor and the P-series processor that powered the groundbreaking Watson AI system. I later returned to IBM Microelectronics, which was subsequently acquired by Avera Semi. In 2019, Marvell acquired Avera Semi, and today, I serve as a front-end manager in Marvell's Data Center Engineering group. I am deeply grateful for my engineering career—a path forged by the inspiration I draw from my community. Reflecting on the achievements and greatness of people who look like me, especially during Black History Month, has instilled a powerful sense of hope and determination. This month is a sacred time when we acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of the Black community. For me, it is a source of deep remembrance and inspiration, guiding me through life's challenges. Black History Month is vital for youth of all races, as it emphasizes the undeniable truth that greatness knows no boundaries. It is essential for Black youth to recognize the significant impact their community has had on society. Furthermore, this month is a solemn occasion to honor the monumental struggles, sacrifices, and challenges Black people have faced and overcome throughout history, particularly in the United States. It compels us to reflect on the resilience and strength that have paved the way for future generations, driving us to relentlessly pursue excellence and equality for all." #BHM

✨Women in Semiconductor. Women Championing Women. We are WLI.✨ At WLI, we are committed to empowering women in our industry at every stage of their careers while advancing their representation in leadership roles and boardrooms. Our mission is to break barriers, foster inclusion, and motivate women to lead with confidence and impact. Driving this vision forward is CEO Jodi Shelton and the Women’s Leadership Council—a powerhouse of accomplished female executives from the semiconductor industry. Their collective expertise, mentorship, and advocacy serve as a catalyst for inspiring and equipping the next generation of women leaders. Through strategic guidance, networking opportunities, and industry insights, we create pathways for women to excel at every stage of their leadership journey. As we embrace 2025, we are more energized than ever about the transformative programs, collaborations, impactful events and initiatives on the horizon. Get ready for a year filled with opportunities to connect, grow, and lead like never before! 🚀✨ Stay connected here for the latest updates and upcoming events. You can also learn more on WLI and how to get involved at the link: https://lnkd.in/d5GC5KXp. #wli #womenleaders #womeninsemiconductor #womeninstem