Opening Remarks

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

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.

The Work Force Supply-Chain Crunch and Need for a Diverse and Innovative Workforce Development.

Michelle Williams-Vaden
Deputy Director
SEMI Foundation

Abstract
Companies across the globe are experiencing significant talent shortages that threaten their ability to thrive and compete. To address this challenge, major investments are being made in workforce development, with a focus on populations that have historically been underrepresented in the industry. If these investments are successful, microelectronics will have a larger and dramatically more diverse workforce, which brings many proven benefits: higher creativity, innovation, productivity, and profits. However, to retain this changing workforce, companies will need to change their cultures and practices to ensure that all their employees – from all backgrounds – feel welcome and as though they can advance and thrive. Otherwise, the industry will lose this new talent it is working so hard to recruit.Michelle Williams-Vaden, Deputy Director of the SEMI Foundation, will share information on how companies can create stronger diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) at member companies to increase job performance and retention. She will describe tools and practices as well as SEMI Foundation DEIB 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 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 DEIB programs, events, and tools. Learn more about the Foundation's initiatives at https://www.semi.org/en/workforce-development/semi-foundation.

Biography
Michelle Williams-Vaden is Deputy Director of the SEMI Foundation. Michelle is responsible for the organization’s storytelling and communications, scaling strategies, resource generation, and working toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. In this role, Michelle has supported the launch and scaling of numerous national workforce development initiatives and helped secure funding for programs that support industry image and awareness, welcome more women and people of color to the industry, and help veterans and those transitioning out of the military find careers in microelectronics. She also developed a first-of-their-kind diversity, equity, and inclusion roadmap and toolkit specifically for the microelectronics industry.Previous to SEMI, Michelle spent 15 years as CEO of nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening local communities and positively impacting policy and program development on regional, state-wide, and national levels. Her ability to bring together and facilitate large-scale public/private partnerships to address pressing community needs has garnered her numerous accolades and awards. Michelle’s diverse professional background includes working as a professional musician, performer, and writer; Emergency Medical Technician; and emergency services responder in disaster relief.

Accelerating Gender Balance in the Semiconductor Talent Pool

Francoise Chombar
Chairwoman
Melexis

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. As of May 1 2022 , she has joined 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.

A Vital Investment in Challenging Times: Developing Inclusive Leadership

Christine Pelissier
Business Line Manager and Diversity Champion
Edwards Vacuum

Abstract
Coming Soon

Biography
Christine Pelissier, Business Line Manager and Diversity champion, Edwards Vacuum, will talk about how nurturing inclusive leadership practices is an essential ongoing investment, especially in challenging times. Sharon will share how proactive leaderships programmes are at the heart of Edwards' commitment to build a supportive and inclusive culture and the importance of continuing with these programs through periods of uncertainty. She will touch on some of the programmes already underway in the business including; the mandatory Unconscious Bias training sessions and the creation of their Semi People Leadership Essentials program which are challenging and developing everyone in the organisation with hiring power; how the programme to develop a comprehensive Wellbeing Framework includes the importance of the role of leaders and Inclusion; and how Diversity and Inclusion champions on every site help to challenge leaders and deliver bottom up change. Sharon will also talk about some of the future ideas to continue this journey and bring in best practice from around the semiconductor industry and beyond.

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

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.

Welcome Remarks

Christopher Frieling
Director Advocacy and Public Policy
SEMI Europe

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.

Talent & Skills

Martin Stöckl
Senior Vice President / Global Head of HR People and Organization Effectiveness
Infineon Technologies AG

Abstract
Talent situation, strategic talent demand, cooperation requirements between academia, economy and government to assure talents and attractiveness of the location

Biography
Education›General Management Program (Harvard Business School)›M.Sc. Management & Organization Analysis (Warwick Business School)›B.Sc. Business Psychology›Infineon:•2019 – now: Senior Vice President - Global Head of People & Organization Effectiveness•2018 – 2019: Vice President - Global Head of People & Organization Effectiveness•2017 – 2018: Senior Director - Head of Organization, Culture & Change›Deloitte Consulting›Accenture Strategy

Christopher Frieling
Director Advocacy and Public Policy
SEMI Europe

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.

Christopher Frieling
Director Advocacy and Public Policy
SEMI Europe

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.