Loading Events

2025 WLI WISH Conference

2025 WISH
2025 WISH
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Join us at WISH, GSA WLI’s premier technical conference that promises to be an inspiring celebration of innovation and empowerment. With around 1,000 attendees, including industry luminaries, visionary entrepreneurs, and brilliant university students in STEM, this event will showcase the evolving landscape of technology. Attendees can look forward to inspiring keynotes from trailblazers who are reshaping the tech world, as well as celebratory awards honoring extraordinary women who have broken the glass ceiling and those paving the way for future generations. This is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and forge valuable relationships that can propel your career forward. Join us in championing gender parity and celebrating the remarkable achievements of women in technology—be part of the movement transforming the industry!

EMCEE

Annelise McCarthy (She/Her)
Founder, Women’s Speaking Coach, Public Speaking Expert, Facilitator, Keynote Speaker & MC
Her Speaking Coach

Annelise is a renowned Women’s Speaking Coach with over 15 years Public Speaking training and experience. She’s on a mission to subvert the dull and pretentious reputation of Public Speaking and transform this into an exciting and empowering skill. An international speaker, entrepreneur and CEO, Annelise is also a World Public Speaking Championship Finalist (yep – total nerd) and holds a double bachelor’s degree in Law and Mandarin. From growing up with a speech impediment and later battling an identity crisis and self-doubt in the corporate world, Annelise understands the unique challenges that hold women back from using their voices. With a combined social media community of over 200K, Annelise is a necessary modern voice for women wanting to speak up and stand out. Her philosophy? Embrace imperfection, challenge tradition, and give fear the middle finger. Annelise believes speaking is a lifelong skill that every woman can master – because your voice deserves to be heard.

Program

All times indicated are Pacific Standard Time
8:00 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Breakfast Sponsored by Siemens

9:00 AM Welcome

Welcome Remarks

9:10 AM Keynote

Opening Keynote

9:50 AM Awards

Dr. Lisa Su Women of Innovation Award

10:00 AM Panel

Leadership Lessons from Industry Trailblazers: Leading in Times of Change, Embracing the Future of Business & Building a Legacy

Join us for an inspiring and empowering panel discussion, featuring some of the most senior and influential women in the semiconductor industry. These trailblazing leaders have not only risen to the top in a highly competitive field but have also paved the way for future generations. In this session, they will share their personal journeys, keys to success, and insights on how to become effective leaders in the tech world. Attendees will gain valuable advice and practical strategies from these accomplished women who have truly made it to the top in tech. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and be inspired to achieve your own career aspirations in the semiconductor industry.

Panelists:
  • Carrie Pelton / Vice President, Wireless Semiconductor Division / Broadcom
  • Dipti Vachani / Senior Vice President & GM, Automotive and IoT Line of Business / Arm
  • Jutta Meier / CEO and CFO / IQE
10:45 AM

Break and Transition to Breakout Sessions

11:10 AM Breakout Sessions

Design Technology

11:10 AM Breakout Sessions

Process Technology/Packaging/Assembly Technology

11:10 AM Breakout Sessions

System Technology

11:10 AM Breakout Sessions

Test/Validation

11:10 AM Breakout Sessions

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

11:10 AM Panel

Main Stage: The Future of Talent Acquisition: Attracting & Retaining Talent in the Semiconductor Industry

Semiconductors are the beating heart of today’s world, powering everything from consumer electronics to the AI systems driving the digital economy. Sustaining the pace of innovation, critical to the industry’s future, depends on attracting and retaining exceptional talent. Yet the technical complexity of the field, and its increasingly competitive landscape, make talent acquisition an ongoing challenge. This panel brings together experts in workforce development and talent strategy to explore how we can attract, engage, and retain the next generation of semiconductor leaders. From diversifying the pipeline and rethinking educational pathways to fostering inclusive cultures and supporting long-term career development, the discussion will spotlight actionable strategies to secure the talent needed to drive innovation forward. 

12:10 PM

Lunch & Networking

2:15 PM

Welcome Back

2:20 PM Panel

Co-Designing Intelligence: AI and the New Era of Hardware Engineering

As AI transforms how we design semiconductors, the boundary between human and machine ingenuity is being redefined. This panel will explore how generative AI, autonomous agents, and open-source tools are reshaping design workflows, challenging traditional hardware methodologies, and shifting the talent landscape. What does this mean for junior engineers, researchers, and the future workforce? Are we building toward a new model of AI-Human leadership, or phasing out the very people who drive innovation? Join us for a conversation at the intersection of AI, hardware, and human potential.

Panelists:
  • Sharon Zhou / Vice President, AI / AMD
3:05 PM Awards

Awards Presentation

  • Rising Women in Semi Award Presentation – sponsored by SanDisk
  • Female Up & Comer Award Presentation – sponsored by AMD

 

  • Designing the Difference Award Presentation- sponsored by Microsoft

   

3:50 PM

Closing Remarks

4:00 PM

Networking & VIP Reception

VIP Reception Sponsored by TSMC

Speakers

Carrie Pelton

Broadcom

Carrie Pelton

Vice President, Wireless Semiconductor Division

Broadcom

Dipti Vachani

Arm

Dipti Vachani

Senior Vice President & General Manager, Automotive Business

Arm

Jutta Meier

IQE

Jutta Meier

CEO and CFO

IQE

Sharon Zhou

AMD

Sharon Zhou

Vice President, AI

AMD

Sheryl Ehrman

San José State University

Sheryl Ehrman

Don Beall Dean of the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering

San José State University

Tech Speakers

Sponsors

Awards

Dr. Lisa Su Woman of Innovation Award

The Woman of Innovation Award recognizes an industry veteran who has dedicated her career to making exceptional contributions to drive the development, innovation, growth and long-term opportunities for the semiconductor industry.

Female Up and Comer Award

The Female Up and Comer Award recognizes and profiles the next generation of young women in the semiconductor industry. Companies are encouraged to identify women with a technical background and education within their organization who have been in the industry five years or less and have made exceptional contributions toward the development, innovation, growth and success in her short time in the industry.

Rising Women in Semi Award

The GSA Rising Women in Semi Award will recognize three to four female nominees who are considered rising leaders by their individual companies. These nominees should have made exceptional contributions toward the development, innovation, growth, and success of the semiconductor industry and made a huge impact during her time in the industry, which should be more than ten years but less than twenty years.

Designing the Difference Award

The Designing the Difference Award recognizes a semiconductor company that has taken intentional, measurable steps to create an environment where innovation and diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to a forward-thinking industry. Companies should demonstrate company-wide initiatives, internal culture, community engagement and overall commitment to creating an environment where innovation and diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to industry impact and overall long-term vision of meaningful leadership and culture.

Pricing

Standard Rate

Member

$490

Guests

$990

Standard pricing is valid through September 1, 2025.

Late Rate

Member

$650

Guests

$1150

Late pricing begins September 2, 2025.

Travel

San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose McEnery Convention Center

150 W San Carlos St
San Jose, CA 95113 United States

Join us at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, a premier destination in the heart of Silicon Valley, for an unforgettable event. This state-of-the-art venue is an ideal location for networking with industry leaders and innovators, right here in Silicon Valley. With its expansive, flexible spaces and cutting-edge facilities, the convention center promises a conducive environment for exchange of ideas and growth. Don’t miss the chance to connect with peers, explore new trends, and experience the pulse of technology at one of the most celebrated venues in the tech world.

As part of our commitment to making your experience as seamless as possible, GSA has arranged rooms at the San Jose Marriott connected to the convention center.