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2026 WISH Conference

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WISH, GSA WLI’s premier technical conference, is an inspiring celebration of innovation and empowerment. The event welcomes around 1,000 attendees, including industry luminaries, visionary entrepreneurs, and brilliant university students in STEM, and showcases the evolving landscape of technology. Attendees experience powerful keynotes from trailblazers who are reshaping the tech world and celebrate award ceremonies honoring extraordinary women who break the glass ceiling and those paving the way for future generations. It is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and build valuable relationships to help propel careers forward. WISH champions gender parity and celebrates the remarkable achievements of women in technology—bringing together a movement that is transforming the industry!

EMCEE

Annelise McCarthy is an international speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, and communication expert specialising in confidence-led communication and leadership presence. Over the past decade, she has coached professionals, founders, executives, and elite performers to communicate with clarity, credibility, and authority. From CEOs to Olympians, Annelise equips high achievers with practical tools to articulate their value, command rooms, and lead with conviction.

With more than 15 years of experience and a background in education, law, and competitive public speaking, she has worked with thousands of professionals across 20+ industries and 15 countries. Today, she leads a global community of 300,000+ who follow her modern, no-BS approach to communication and impact. Her core belief is simple: How you communicate determines your influence. She challenges every audience to use their voice with clarity and conviction, because the world does not change when capable people stay quiet.

Program

All times indicated are Pacific Standard Time
8:00 AM

Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM Welcome

Welcome Remarks – Annelise McCarthy

9:10 AM Keynote

Opening Invited Keynote/Fireside Chat

9:50 AM Awards

Dr. Lisa Su Woman of Innovation Award

10:00 AM Panel

Panel: “Women Leading the Semiconductor Revolution: Redefining Leadership for What the Next Decade Demands”

Join us for a forward-looking panel discussion spotlighting the women shaping the next era of semiconductor leadership. As the industry navigates unprecedented complexity and rapid transformation, these influential leaders will share how they are guiding their organizations through change while positioning themselves for the future. In this session, they will share their personal journeys, keys to success, and insights on how to become effective leaders in the tech world. The discussion will explore the critical leadership skills needed in a world defined by AI acceleration and an intensifying global landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain strategic insight into what the next decade demands from today’s semiconductor leaders.

Moderator:
Audrey Charles / SVP Corporate Strategy, Advanced Packaging, Lam Research and President, Lam Capital / Lam Research
Panelists:
  • Jennifer Lloyd / President & CEO / Power Integrations
  • Rani Borkar / President, Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure / Microsoft
10:45 AM

Smoothie Break and Transition to Breakout Sessions

Sponsored by

11:10 AM Breakout Sessions

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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 Panel

Main Stage Panel: "From First Role to Leadership: Real Stories of Award-Winning Women in Tech"

Featuring recipients of the Lisa Su Award, Women of Influence Award, Rising Women in Semi Award, and Female Up & Comer Award, this panel brings together women at every stage of leadership to share candid stories, career insights, and lessons learned along the way. 

Every career journey is unique, yet the challenges of building confidence, navigating change, seizing opportunities, and growing as a leader are shared across generations. In this candid conversation, past Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) Award recipients representing every stage of the career spectrum, will reflect on the defining moments that shaped their professional journeys. 

Panelists will share insights on overcoming obstacles, building visibility, embracing career pivots, developing leadership skills, and supporting the next generation of women in technology. Through personal stories and practical advice, attendees will gain valuable perspectives on navigating their own careers while helping create a more inclusive and empowering future for women in semiconductors. 

12:10 PM

Lunch & Networking

2:15 PM

Welcome Back

2:20 PM Panel

Panel: "AI as a Catalyst: Building Resilient Teams and Inspiring Leadership"

As AI capabilities become increasingly integrated into engineering workflows, leaders have an opportunity to rethink how work gets done, how teams collaborate, and how careers continue to grow. The challenge is not simply adopting new tools, but ensuring they enhance human creativity, judgment, and problem-solving while supporting sustainable ways of working. 

This panel will explore how AI is influencing engineering practices, leadership approaches, and workforce development across the semiconductor industry. Our esteemed panelists will share inspiring perspectives on evolving skill sets, effective learning strategies, and the leadership practices that help teams adapt with confidence. The discussion will examine how organizations can use AI to reduce routine work, strengthen innovation, and create more opportunities for engineers to focus on high-value contributions. 

Drawing on real-world experience, panelists will discuss how to foster resilient, high-performing teams, support continuous career growth, and build inclusive environments where engineers can thrive alongside rapidly advancing technologies. Attendees will leave with practical insights and a renewed sense of purpose for leading through change while sustaining engagement, well-being, and long-term impact. 

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

WISHing Wall Presentation and Closing Remarks

Sponsored by

4:10 PM

Networking and VIP Reception

Sponsored byIntel Foundry

Speakers

Audrey Charles

Lam Research

Audrey Charles

SVP Corporate Strategy, Advanced Packaging, Lam Research and President, Lam Capital

Lam Research

Jennifer Lloyd

Power Integrations

Jennifer Lloyd

President & CEO

Power Integrations

Rani Borkar

Microsoft

Rani Borkar

President, Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure

Microsoft

Tech Speakers

Sponsors

Awards

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.

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.

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

$199

Guests

$349

Student tickets are available at a discounted rate of $35. To secure a student ticket, please reach out to events@gsaglobal.org.

To learn more about sponsoring, click the button below for availability.

Travel

Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara Convention Center

5001 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 United States

Student tickets are available at a discounted rate of $35. To secure a student ticket, please reach out to events@gsaglobal.org.

To learn more about sponsoring, click the button below for availability.