Tuesday, November 15, 2022
 

Session 1: Overcoming Industry Challenges Through Inclusive Leadership

14:00
Opening Remarks
  Cassandra Melvin, Senior Director of Business Development and Operations SEMI Europe, SEMI Europe
Opening Remarks
Cassandra Melvin

Cassandra Melvin
Senior Director of Business Development and Operations SEMI Europe
SEMI Europe

Cassandra Melvin

Abstract
Opening Remarks

Biography
Cassandra joined SEMI Europe in 2018 to lead its operations, business development and strategic initiatives related to diversity and inclusion. In this role she is responsible for leading a culturally diverse team, enhancing member value, and directing operations for optimized financial performance. Prior to joining SEMI, she held the position Global Product Manager at Atotech for its semiconductor division. She began her career at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute as a Business Manager focused on technical programs for chemistry and equipment manufacturers and held project management roles in clean room operations and IT. Cassandra's written work has been published in leading technical magazines and presented at conferences globally. She holds a BS in Business Management, and Minor in Neuropsychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

14:10
The Work Force Supply-Chain Crunch and Need for a Diverse and Innovative Workforce Development.
  Shari Liss, Executive Director, SEMI Foundation
The Work Force Supply-Chain Crunch and Need for a Diverse and Innovative Workforce Development.

Shari Liss
Executive Director
SEMI Foundation

Abstract
Shari Liss, Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation, will share information on the organization's workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives designed to expand and diversify the global talent pipeline. The Foundation's work includes the Industry Image and Awareness Campaign, including a powerful career portal (careers.semi.org) and a PBS documentary about the microelectronics industry; VetWorks, which helps companies attract talented individuals transitioning out of the military; High Tech U, which brings immersive STEM experiences to students worldwide; the SEMI Career and Apprenticeship Network (SCAN) which helps companies grow their own workforce through apprenticeships; SEMI University, designed to help train and upskill talent; the American Semiconductor Academy, an effort to unite higher education around microelectronics training and learning; and the Foundation's extensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, events, and tools. Learn more about Shari and the Foundation's initiatives at https://www.semi.org/en/workforce-development/semi-foundation.

Biography
Shari Liss has more than 25 years of experience supporting education, career awareness and workforce development throughout the technology industry. She is currently the Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation. The foundation focuses on Workforce Development programs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives supporting more than 2500 companies within the microelectronics industry.She was formerly the CEO of Ignited, one of the nation’s most successful STEM teacher professional development organizations. Their work connected companies to classrooms throughout Silicon Valley and gave over 4,000 teachers and 3.2 million students more insights into the skills and experiences needed to succeed in STEM-oriented professions and companies. Prior to Ignited, Shari was a teacher and curriculum developer, serving in a variety of positions with a focus on mathematics and at-risk students. She has developed an alternative school on the East Coast serving at-risk high school students, created curriculum for NASA and established a mathematics program for both gifted and challenged students in the San Francisco Bay Area.

14:25
Accelerating Gender Balance in the Semiconductor Talent Pool
  Francoise Chombar, Chairwoman, Melexis
Accelerating Gender Balance in the Semiconductor Talent Pool
Francoise Chombar

Francoise Chombar
Chairwoman
Melexis

Francoise Chombar

Abstract
Coming soon

Biography
Françoise Chombar is Chairwoman and co-founder of Melexis. She served as the CEO of Melexis for 18 years (from 2003 to 2021). She is currently a member of the Board of Umicore, the Board of Soitec, Chairwoman of the Board of BioRICS and member of the advisory Board to Byteflies. From May 1 2022 onwards, she will join the Board of Antwerp Management School. She is equally president of the STEM platform, an advisory board to the Flemish government, aiming to encourage young people to pursue a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics education. Françoise Chombar’s long-term commitment to actively advocating more STEM and more gender balance is driven by the profound belief in their positive societal impact. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Vlerick Award, the Global Prize for Women Entrepreneurs of BNP Paribas, ICT-Personality of the Year by Datanews, Science Fellowship at the VUB, Honorary Award by the Flemish Community, the Computable Lifetime Achievement Award and a Honorary Award by the KUL. Ms. Chombar holds a Master’s Degree in interpreting (Dutch, English, and Spanish) from Ghent University.

14:45
Coming Soon
  Jill Clarke, VP People & Culture, Edwards Vacuum
Coming Soon
Jill Clarke

Jill Clarke
VP People & Culture
Edwards Vacuum

Jill Clarke

Abstract
Coming Soon

Biography
Jill held various senior HR roles - global and local business partnering of multiple functions, project roles and recruitment. Currently as VP People and Culture of the Semiconductor Division at Edwards she leads programmes on organizational changes, defines the right structure and drives employee engagement to build a culture where people will grow and thrive and enable improved business performance.

15:05 Panel discussion

Leveraging Generational Differences in the Shifting Workplace

Moderation Cassandra Melvin, Senior Director of Business Development and Operations SEMI Europe, SEMI Europe
Cassandra Melvin

Cassandra Melvin
Senior Director of Business Development and Operations SEMI Europe
SEMI Europe

Cassandra Melvin

Biography
Cassandra joined SEMI Europe in 2018 to lead its operations, business development and strategic initiatives related to diversity and inclusion. In this role she is responsible for leading a culturally diverse team, enhancing member value, and directing operations for optimized financial performance. Prior to joining SEMI, she held the position Global Product Manager at Atotech for its semiconductor division. She began her career at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute as a Business Manager focused on technical programs for chemistry and equipment manufacturers and held project management roles in clean room operations and IT. Cassandra's written work has been published in leading technical magazines and presented at conferences globally. She holds a BS in Business Management, and Minor in Neuropsychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Panelists
  • Francoise Chombar, Chairwoman, Melexis
  • Francoise Chombar

    Francoise Chombar
    Chairwoman
    Melexis

    Francoise Chombar

    Biography
    Françoise Chombar is Chairwoman and co-founder of Melexis. She served as the CEO of Melexis for 18 years (from 2003 to 2021). She is currently a member of the Board of Umicore, the Board of Soitec, Chairwoman of the Board of BioRICS and member of the advisory Board to Byteflies. From May 1 2022 onwards, she will join the Board of Antwerp Management School. She is equally president of the STEM platform, an advisory board to the Flemish government, aiming to encourage young people to pursue a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics education. Françoise Chombar’s long-term commitment to actively advocating more STEM and more gender balance is driven by the profound belief in their positive societal impact. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Vlerick Award, the Global Prize for Women Entrepreneurs of BNP Paribas, ICT-Personality of the Year by Datanews, Science Fellowship at the VUB, Honorary Award by the Flemish Community, the Computable Lifetime Achievement Award and a Honorary Award by the KUL. Ms. Chombar holds a Master’s Degree in interpreting (Dutch, English, and Spanish) from Ghent University.

  • Philip Matthes, Head of Global Human Resources, Semiconductor Materials, Merck KGaA
  • Philip Matthes

    Philip Matthes
    Head of Global Human Resources, Semiconductor Materials
    Merck KGaA

    Philip Matthes

    Biography
    In Merck since 2010. Since October 2019, Executive Director, Global Head of Human Resources for Semiconductor Materials Business Unit at : Merck Group, Darmstadt, Germany.Leadership of all HR topics for a global business of over 1,5 bn EUR sales and over 4,000 employees. Leads HR workstream for “Level Up Growth Program”; ambition to hire 1000 additional FTEs in 3 years and building digital capability in U.S., Taiwan, Korea & China. Lead post-merger organizational integration of Versum Materials into Merck. Lead the organizational response to COVID 19 in terms of virtual/home office as well as concepts for manufacturing and R&D.

  • Mark Agujar, Project Technician, Edwards Vacuum
  • Mark Agujar

    Mark Agujar
    Project Technician
    Edwards Vacuum

    Mark Agujar

    Biography
    My name is Mark Agujar. I am a current employee within Edwards Vacuum in Ireland. I am 24 years old and joined the company in June of 2022. As a representative of both the Edwards Vacuum team, here in Ireland, and as a representative of the Generation Z speaker in this session, I am honoured and eager to discuss the topic of 'Future of Work' with everyone involved and to hear from the other individuals representing the other generations and their insights on the given topic.

 

SEMI Industry Leader in Diversity and Inclusion

16:00 Award Announcement
 

Sesion 2: Connecting the European skills Ecosystem: Turning the Tides on Europe’s Talent Shortage

16:10
Welcome Remarks
  Christopher Frieling, Director Advocacy and Public Policy, SEMI Europe
Welcome Remarks
Christopher Frieling

Christopher Frieling
Director Advocacy and Public Policy
SEMI Europe

Christopher Frieling

Abstract
Welcome Remarks

Biography
Christopher Frieling is Director for Advocacy and Public Policy at the SEMI Europe Brussels Office. Christopher has a background in EU affairs, innovation, and tech policy. Prior to SEMI he worked at the Brussels office of Fraunhofer in several roles including most recently as Senior Advisor. Christopher holds an MSc in Economics of Science and Innovation and a Bachelor of Business Administration.