WECode 2025
Tentative Schedule for
In-Person Attendees
In-Person
Virtual
Welcome to WECode 2026’s schedule of events.
This schedule is subject to change, and we will be periodically announcing speakers for each event. Not all events are currently listed, so be on the lookout for updates on our social media platforms.
Saturday - February 22, 2025
8:00 - 9:30 AM
Breakfast
Central Arcade
In-Person
Virtual
9:30 - 10:45 AM
Opening Remarks & Welcome
Memorial Church & Streaming Room
Presented by the WECode Board
Description: Join us in commencing WECode’s 11th annual conference!
In-Person
Virtual
Keynote: Francoise Brougher
Memorial Church & Streaming Room
Francoise Brougher serves as Chief Executive Officer of Pebl and is responsible for leading the company’s vision, strategy, and execution. Francoise has over 25 years of leadership experience in strategy, business, and operations at industry-leading technology disruptors, including Google, Square, and Pinterest, where she led multithousand-person global organizations responsible for multibillion-dollar sales and operations revenue. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer at Pinterest, where she grew revenue from $500 million to $1.1 billion, expanded operations to 20 countries, and helped take the company public in two years. Francoise is a sought-after board member and was appointed to Pebl’s board of directors in 2022. She lives with her family in Silicon Valley, happily graduating from swim mom, ski mom, and soccer mom to dog mom in the last couple of years.
In-Person
Virtual
11:00 - 12:00 PM
Startups Panel
Featuring: Allison Byers (Founer and CEO of Scroobious), Cait Levin (Customer Enablement Lead at Glide), Chareeda Rustanavibul (Vice President of Startup Banking at JP Morgan), Kara Peterson (Co-Founder and CEO of Descrybe.ai)
Whether you're just starting to think about your own startup or looking for ways to scale your existing venture, join this panel featuring the founders of three innovative startups: Brinleigh Murphy-Reute (Founder of Science to People), Brianna Doe (Founder of Verbatim), and Anna Yuan (Co-founder & CEO of ScaleGrowth AI). These inspiring entrepreneurs will share their journeys from idea to launch, discussing the challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Our panelists will offer insights on everything from building a strong vision and securing funding, to scaling a business and navigating industry-specific hurdles.
In-Person
Virtual
Solo Talk with Amy Jadesimi | Managing Director of LADOL Free Zone
Description: Coming soon…
Virtual
Solo Talk with Pip Jamieson | Founder and CEO of The Dots
Description: Coming soon..
Virtual
Embrace the Unexpected: A journey through memorable experiences
Speaker: Barbara Bouza (Executive Director - Live, Work, Play at CannonDesign, Former President of Walt Disney Imagineering)
As the former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Barbara Bouza has shaped her career fusing storytelling, technology and design to create some of the most memorable and immersive experiences across the globe. At the heart of her work is an instinct for authentic environments that bring people together and leave space for wonder to unfold. Now CannonDesign’s Executive Director of Live, Work, Play, Barbara drives impact through the convergence of entertainment, sports, workplace, residential, civic and community projects that impact our daily lives. Through her personal and career journey, Barbara has inspired more women to take bold career paths, embrace the unexpected, and create meaningful impacts. She is a trailblazer focused on helping others spark innovation, discovery and wonder, all while igniting their own personal and professional opportunities.Moreover, Barbara believes a human centered culture of curiosity engages new leaders in discovery across all facets of daily life and ignites opportunity. In this Solo Talk, Barbara will highlight key moments and insights from her career, life lessons, mentorship moments and ideas for emerging professionals to carry with them on their journeys.
In-Person
From Innovation to Exploitation- The Dark side of AI
Speaker: Ramona Ratiu (Head of Cyber Resilience Testing- Zurich Insurance and Executive Advisor of Partnerships & Innovation- SheLeadsTech ISACA Chicago)
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence has become both a catalyst for innovation and a powerful weapon in the hands of cybercriminals. This compelling 1 hour session delves into the dual-edged nature of AI, uncovering how it is reshaping the cyber threat landscape and amplifying the scale, speed, and sophistication of modern attacks. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving tactics employed by threat actors—particularly how AI-powered tools are being used for identity theft, phishing, and the creation of deepfakes. With real-world examples, the session will shine a light on the growing marketplace of AI-fueled fraud tools on the dark web and the risks they pose to organizational resilience. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable strategies to combat these digital threats, including how to harness AI-driven defenses and leverage human intelligence to detect, prevent, and mitigate fraud.
In-Person
The 19 Levers for Thriving (vs. just Surviving) in Tech
Speaker: Rati Thanawala (Former VP at Nokia Bell Labs, Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow, and Professor of the Practice of Leadership Education at Tufts University College)on- SheLeadsTech ISACA Chicago)
We will discuss the 3 biggest hurdles graduates face as they transition to industry roles, and the requirements (beyond technical skills) to thrive in early careers. We will illustrate, through the lived experiences of “wise” women, how they used some of these levers to progress quickly to positions of influence during internships, and later to tech leads/first line managers. Most importantly, we will discuss which investments in leadership development during college years have the highest payoff, especially for women and students from underrepresented groups, where the journey is more difficult.
In-Person
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Lunch
Description: Meal descriptions coming soon. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options will be available.
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Mentorship Circles
Description: Attendees will have the opportunity to get to know mentors from our sponsors, the Harvard community, and additional STEM companies in small-group conversations. There will be two rounds of mentorship circles, each lasting around 30 minutes. This is an amazing opportunity to get to know inspiring leaders in the spaces that you are interested in, while getting to know fellow attendees.
In-Person
Virtual
Project Exhibition
Description: Coming Soon
In-Person
Virtual
Tech Demos
Description: Coming Soon
In-Person
Documentary Screening
Description: Coming Soon
In-Person
2:00 - 3:00 PM
FinTech Panel
Speakers: Rosa-Ramos Kwok (Managing Direct at BlackRock), Jean Donnelly (COO/ Director - Parterneships at Sandbox Banking nCino), Kristen Castell (Managing Director at CAFE), Jagathi Gururajan (Managing Director at Novus Laurus, Founder/Board Chair at FinTech Women)
Fintech is transforming the way money, data, and technology intersect, and it’s happening faster than ever. But what actually goes on behind the scenes of the financial tools millions of people use every day, and how do you break into a space that can feel complex, technical, and highly regulated? Join our Fintech Panel for a dynamic, high-energy conversation with women leaders across financial services, fintech startups, AI, and financial equity as they pull back the curtain on building large-scale financial platforms, navigating regulation, scaling startups, leveraging AI, and designing technology that expands access and opportunity. Through real career journeys, technical insights, and hard-won leadership lessons, this conversation will leave you inspired, informed, and empowered to carve your own path in fintech, no matter where you're starting from!
In-Person
Virtual
Fireside Chat with Minerva Tantoco
Speaker: Minerva Tantoco (Senior Advisor at City Strategies Consulting LLC, former Chief AI Officer at NYU McSilver Institute, former 1st CTO of New York City)
Join us for an insightful fireside chat and Q&A session with Minerva Tantoco, Senior Advisor at City Strategies Consulting and New York City’s first-ever Chief Technology Officer. With a career spanning AI, start-up’s and public-interest technology, Minerva has been at the forefront of building technology that serves both innovation and the public good. In this conversation, she will share her "curiosity career” progression, from founding AI startups in both her college and her fifties, to being the first CTO of New York City to her work with the NYU McSilver Institute. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leader who has helped shape how cities and institutions use technology for social impact.
In-Person
Fireside Chat with April Little and Brianna Doe
Speaker: April Little (Founder and CEO of Little Talent Group), Brianna Doe (Founder and CEO of Verbatim)
Event Description: Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Brianna Doe, Founder & CEO of Verbatim, and April Little, Executive Coach for high-achieving women leaders. This conversation explores what it looks like to build a career – and a company – with intention, clarity, and support. Drawing from their mutual mentoring relationship, Brianna and April will reflect on the process of mapping out a business before launch, navigating uncertainty, and using coaching and mentorship as tools for growth. Together, they’ll discuss career coaching from both sides of the table, the realities of entrepreneurship, and why trusted relationships can be a powerful catalyst for long-term success.
In-Person
I’ve Got 99 Problems, and They’ll Make Me Successful
Speaker: Karen Dolva (Chief Product Officer of BeCrystal)
Building a product is easy. Building and scaling real value is hard. In this talk you’ll get a deep dive into how to design valuable, sellable products. You’ll get a well-tested design model that you can bring with you, and hopefully lots of inspiration for building your own products in the future.
Virtual
Beyond the Frame: Redefining Tech Leadership and Success on Our Own Terms
Speaker: Maria Zhang (Co-Founder and CEO of Palona AI)
Description: At WECode 2026: Beyond the Frame, this talk explores what technology leadership looks like when women define it on their own terms. Drawing from a career spanning big tech leadership, entrepreneurship, and building real-world AI systems, this talk weaves together four pillars: technology leadership for female tech leaders, entrepreneurship as a mindset, integrating personal and professional life, and how AI will fundamentally reshape how we work, lead, and live. Rather than presenting success as a polished snapshot, this session looks beyond the frame to the real decisions, trade-offs, failures, and experimentation that shape technical careers and companies. Through candid reflections on leading teams, building from ground up, integrating ambition with personal life, and preparing for an AI-powered future, the talk empowers students and early-career builders to define success on their own terms, build systems rather than simply succeed within them, and step into leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Virtual
3:15 - 4:15 PM
AI Ethics Panel
Speaker: Francescsa Rossi (IBM Global Leader on Responsible AI and AI Governance), Kara Peterson (Co-Founder and CEO of Descrybe.ai), Minerva Tantoco (Senior Advisor at City Strategies Consulting LLC, former Chief AI Officer at NYU McSilver Institute, former 1st CTO of New York City)
Whether you’re curious about how AI systems are governed, concerned about their societal impact, or eager to understand how ethics can be embedded into real-world technology, join us for our AI Ethics Panel! Bringing together leaders from policy, industry, and entrepreneurship, this panel will explore what it means to build and deploy AI responsibly at scale. Our speakers will share insights from shaping AI governance frameworks, leading responsible AI initiatives, and translating ethical principles into practical tools by covering topics from fairness and accountability to transparency, regulation, and the future of trustworthy AI
In-Person
Virtual
Mentorship, Grit, and Breaking Barriers: Rosa Ramos-Kwok
Speaker: Rosa Ramos-Kwok (Managing Director at Blackrock, former Managing Director at JPMorganChase, Bank of America & Morgan Stanley)
Hear the story of a Latina technologist who grew up in Washington Heights and carved her path into the fast‑moving world of financial‑services technology, proving that grit and vision can take you far beyond the zip code you start in. This talk blends personal narrative with hard‑won lessons on navigating male‑dominated rooms, owning your voice, and turning a nontraditional background into a competitive edge. It’s a candid look at resilience, identity, and ambition—and an invitation for every woman in the room to claim space in the future of tech with confidence and purpose.
In-Person
Leading with Creativity in Tech
Speaker: Grace Lee (Head of Design for Verticals at Logitech)
Join us for an insightful conversation with Grace Lee, the Head of Design for Verticals at Logitech, as she shares her career journey in design and leadership. With a background spanning hardware design, manufacturing, and human-centered product development, Grace will reflect on the unique path that led her to design leadership, share insights from working across industries such as education, government, and healthcare, and offer advice for students interested in pursuing careers in design. Don’t miss the chance to learn what it means to lead multidisciplinary teams, translate vision into reality, and build a meaningful career in design!
In-Person
Fireside Chat with Lisa Huang
Speaker: Lisa Huang (Managing Director at Fidelity Labs)
Description: Coming Soon…
Virtual
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Keynote: Women, Wealth, and What's Possible: A Career Journey Beyond the Frame
Speaker: Sylvia Kwan (CEO & Chief Investment Officer at Ellevest)
In this keynote, Dr. Sylvia Kwan, CFA®, CAIA®, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Ellevest, will share how she leveraged her technical training — degrees in Computer Science and Applied Math from Brown University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford — to become a category creator who developed the industry's first gender-aware investing algorithm. Dr. Kwan will share how she discovered that how we and others see us are not the only way to be seen. Expect practical insights on combining passion with purpose, expanding the boundaries of your career path, and understanding why refusing to accept limitations on what you and your work can become is the most transformative act of leadership. Through her own journey from student to industry disruptor, she'll illuminate what's possible when you reject conventional constraints and architect your own definition of impact.
In-Person
Virtual
5:30 - 6:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Presented by the WECode Board
Location: Coming Soon
In-Person
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Company Social Events
Susquehanna Wizard Tournament
More Coming Soon!
In-Person
Sunday - February 23, 2025
8:00 - 9:30 AM
Breakfast
In-Person
9:30 - 10:30 AM
Keynote: "Space Futures: Searching for Life Beyond Earth and Our Place Among the Stars”
Speaker: Laurie Leshin (University Professor of Space Futures @ Arizona State University, former Director of NASA Jet Propulsion Lab)
As we look to a dynamic future in the exploration of space, we ask the most profound questions: Where did we come from? What is our destiny? Are we alone? In this keynote, the former Director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will share her journey as a space scientist and leader and paint a picture of an exciting future for space science and for humanity’s journey beyond Earth.
In-Person
Virtual
10:45 - 11:45 AM
Tech for Social Good Panel
Speakers: Karen Akinsanya (President, Head of Therapeutics R&D and Chief Strategy Officer, Partnerships @ Schrödinger, Inc.), Bonnie Titone (EVP and Chief Administrative Officer @ Duke Energy), and Lucina Tse (COO and Co-President @ Dimagi)
This inspiring panel explores the dynamic intersection of technology and social good, highlighting innovative approaches and cutting-edge solutions that leverage technology to address some of the most pressing social challenges of our time. The discussion will delve into various domains including pharmaceuticals and drug development, environmental sustainability, and social justice, demonstrating how technology can be a powerful catalyst for positive change.
In-Person
Virtual
Fireside Chat with Edie Cheng
Speaker: Edie Cheng (Director of Programs @ NCWIT)
Edie Cheng is the Director of Programs at the NCWIT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 to broaden participation and opportunity for women in computing. In her role, Edie leads and champions nationally recognized initiatives such as the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award, which has empowered thousands of students across the country to pursue and thrive in technology. Edie started her career in software development and has worked in startups, for-profits, and non-profits. In this fireside chat, we explore Edie’s journey to NCWIT, the impact of her work, and why building more inclusive pathways in tech matters now more than ever.
In-Person
Behind the Scenes of ML Product Management
Speaker: Angela Hu (Senior Product Manager at Spotify)
What does it actually mean to build machine learning products at one of the world’s largest personalization platforms? In this talk, Angela Hu, Senior Product Manager on Spotify’s Personalization team, will take you behind the scenes of machine learning product management. Drawing from her experience working on Home recommendation systems and launching new experiences like audiobooks, Angela will break down what ML PMs really do — from defining user problems and shaping experimentation strategy to partnering with engineering, design, and data science. She’ll also share her path into ML product management — starting with a business background, working in telecom, and breaking into tech without a formal technical degree. Attendees will learn how ML product management differs from traditional PM roles, the challenges of working on recommendation systems, when not to use machine learning, and practical advice for breaking into the field. Whether you’re technical, non-technical, or still figuring it out, this session will offer an honest look at building ML products that millions of users interact with every day.
In-Person
“Winning in a Tough Tech Market”
Speaker: Fatima Taj (Senior Software Engineer at Yelp)
The technical interview process is more competitive than ever. Having navigated it myself this year, I’ve seen firsthand just how intense the market has become—and how success often hinges on more than just solving coding problems. At the same time, as someone who has interviewed and coached countless candidates, I know exactly what differentiates those who walk away with offers from those who don’t. This session is the most holistic, end-to-end guide to technical interviews you’ll ever attend. We’ll cover the entire journey: from building your network and preparing before the first recruiter call, to standing out during behavioral, coding, and system design rounds, to handling rejections, multiple offers, and negotiations with confidence. Along the way, I’ll share concrete strategies, templates, and stories—drawn from both sides of the table—that reveal the little things strong candidates do differently to stand out. You’ll leave not just with a roadmap for interview prep, but with the practical tools and confidence to navigate every stage of the process—and maximize your chances of landing the offer.
In-Person
Solo Talk with Charity Wanjiku
Speaker: Charity Wanjiku (Senior Project Manager for East Africa at Africa Data Centres)
The technical interview process is more competitive than ever. Having navigated it myself this year, I’ve seen firsthand just how intense the market has become—and how success often hinges on more than just solving coding problems. At the same time, as someone who has interviewed and coached countless candidates, I know exactly what differentiates those who walk away with offers from those who don’t. This session is the most holistic, end-to-end guide to technical interviews you’ll ever attend. We’ll cover the entire journey: from building your network and preparing before the first recruiter call, to standing out during behavioral, coding, and system design rounds, to handling rejections, multiple offers, and negotiations with confidence. Along the way, I’ll share concrete strategies, templates, and stories—drawn from both sides of the table—that reveal the little things strong candidates do differently to stand out. You’ll leave not just with a roadmap for interview prep, but with the practical tools and confidence to navigate every stage of the process—and maximize your chances of landing the offer.
Virtual
11:45 - 12:45 PM
Lunch
Location: Coming Soon
12:45 - 1:45 PM
Mentorship Circles
Description: Attendees will have the opportunity to get to know mentors from our sponsors, the Harvard community, and additional STEM companies in small-group conversations. There will be two rounds of mentorship circles, each lasting around 30 minutes. This is an amazing opportunity to get to know inspiring leaders in the spaces that you are interested in, while getting to know fellow attendees.
In-Person
Virtual
Project Exhibition
Description: Coming Soon
In-Person
Virtual
Tech Demos
Description: More information coming soon…
In-Person
Documentary Screening
Description: Coming Soon
In-Person
1:45 - 2:45 PM
Software Engineering & Product Management Panel
Speakers: Angela Hu (Senior Product Manager at Spotify), Fatime Taj (Senior Software Engineer at Yelp), Nalia Khan (Software Engineering Manager at Google), Sonia Bendre (Associate Product Manager at Databricks)
Interested in building the products and systems that power today’s most impactful technologies? Join our Software Engineering & Product Management Panel, featuring leaders from across engineering and product! Panelists will share insights into their career paths, day-to-day work, and experiences building scalable, user-focused products – from machine learning platforms to consumer-facing applications.
In-Person
Virtual
Balancing Intuition and External Pressures throughout your Career
Speaker: Tammarrian Rogers (Founder/Engineering Leader @ Sarell, LTD)
Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Tammarrian Rogers, Founder of Sarell and former Engineering Leader at Microsoft and SnapSnap, as she shares her journey to founding her own company rooted in trust, safety, and values-driven engineering. In this conversation, Tammarrian will reflect on what inspired her to start Sarell, how her experiences working in big tech shaped her approach to leadership, and what it’s really like to build a team and culture from the ground up. We’ll also explore her broader commitment to creating safer, more equitable spaces in tech, as well as her experiences navigating leadership as a woman in tech.
In-Person
Solo Talk with Karen Akinsanya
Speaker: Karen Akinsanya (President, Head of Therapeutics R&D and Chief Strategy Officer, Partnerships @ Schrödinger, Inc.)
Description: Coming Soon…
In-Person
“10 years later: A journey in AI and Entrepreneurship”
Speaker: Anita Schjøll Abildgaard (Co-Founder and CEO of Iris.ai)
Description: Coming Soon…
Virtual
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Presented by the WECode Board
In-Person
Virtual
3:30 - 5:30 PM
Career Fair
Featuring: To be announced!
In-Person