Learn what Merck is doing in terms of Diversity & Inclusion

Katherine Dei Cas
General Manager North America/Europe Delivery Systems & Services
Merck KGaA

Abstract
Learn what Merck is doing in terms of Diversity & Inclusion

Biography
Katherine is currently responsible for the P&L ownership of the North American & European Delivery Systems and Services business that includes the equipment as well as our after-market services business.After her studies, Kate began her career as a project engineer working at a Specialty Gas plant.During her professional life, she relocated several times within the United States to gain experience as a Project Manager at a large-scale semiconductor greenfield project as well as to work as a Production Superintendent for slurry and post-CMP clean manufacturing.Kate has held several customer-facing sales positions prior to becoming General Manager. Before joining EMD Performance Materials, she has held positions as the US Regional Sales Director in Delivery Systems, worked with a strategic customer as Global Account Specialist for advanced and process materials as well as Global Focused Account Manager.Kate holds a B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Bucknell University and an M.B.A. from Arizona State University. In the community, she serves on the board of directors of Child Crisis Arizona.

Successful Strategies to Attract Young Professionals

Christine Pelissier
Business Line Manager EMEA
Edwards Ltd

Abstract
At Edwards we believe that the successful attraction of talented young professionals to our industry comes from listening and understanding what is important to young people and what they want to achieve in their careers. Our attraction strategy aims to connect with our audiences in more meaningful and emotional ways – we know young people want to learn and opportunities for career development are crucial, but they also want to make a difference, and sustainability has never been more important. Today’s young adults are having to deal with a range of issues which can impact the career choices they make. From the impact of COVID-19 and action on climate change, to challenging cultural attitudes, including those related to gender, racial, mental and physical health discrimination – we believe that businesses who are committed to improving people’s everyday lives, as well as protecting our planet offer the most appeal to young people. Our engagement with the next generation of young professionals focuses on the important issues that matter to them. At Edwards we look to do this through our:- targeted outreach and social media brand engagement and its real connection to protecting the environment- global career and development opportunities offered both in our organisation and the semiconductor industry- promotion of diverse role models representing the wide fabric of the Edwards community and the different careers available

Biography
Christine Pelissier is Business Line Manager EMEA at Edwards Vacuum. She has over 25 years’ experience successfully growing markets and customers in a high-tech environment and has broad international experience building networks in North America, Europe, and Asia. Prior to joining Edwards, Christine has held senior strategic marketing positions, business development, operations and applications roles with Applied Materials, KLA-Tencor and Soitec.

Diversity and Inclusion for High Performance Teams

Emily Clark
Account Sales Automation Products Group
Applied Materials

Abstract
2020 was the year that highlighted the need to change by exposing the systematic racism and unequality in the most critical areas of our lives such as healthcare and education. During this presentation we will go through a study that showcases the importance of diversity and inclusion to reach high performance in teams.

Biography
Emily Clark is in the Account Sales team in the Automation Products Group at Applied Materials. She started this position in January 2021, and is based out of Boston. She joined Applied Materials in October 2018 as a Account Sales for Service, Spares and Components in central Europe, and until recently was based in Munich. Emily received the award for “Best Performance by New Sales Person” in 2019. Previous to moving to the semiconductor industry Emily lead European wide sales teams in the optics industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Physics from the Technical University Munich.

The Challenge the semiconductor foresees with Diversity and Inclusion

Salah Nasri
Executive Managing Partner
ISES

Abstract
The Challenge the semiconductor foresees with Diversity and Inclusion

Biography
Salah Nasri is the Managing Partner of the International Semiconductor Executive Summits. He oversees the management from operations, strategy, sales and marketing covering Semiconductor, MEMS, and Solar Manufacturing. He has worked for the ISES for 10 years and his previous experience consists of working as an analyst and business development for companies such as Credit Suisse, Huntress Recruitment and the International Business Development Group. During his tenure at ISES he relocated to China for 6 years to manage operations in the APAC region.With local market and government support he has enabled the ISES flagship events, the China International Semiconductor Executive, The Taiwan Semiconductor Executive Summit, the MEMS World Summit and the World Solar Congress to reach significant presence and success as a platform for leaders in the industry to collaborate in a trusted network to discuss areas such as advanced packaging, memory manufacturing, AI, 5G, Automotive Electronics, Risc-V and more.Salah graduated with a First Class Batchelor of Sciences Degree in International Relations and Economics from Loughborough University and Masters in International Relations from Oxford University.

Overcoming an unconscious bias

Tessa Blake
Writer/Director
Asset Pictures

Abstract
Focusing on gender, race & LGBTQI issues, filmmaker Tessa Blake gives an incisive presentation on how to spot bias and how to change it. With America in turmoil and industries across the nation being cited for systemic and wide-spread discrimination, it’s critical to see the unconscious triggers at work. Tessa provokes a discussion on practical modifications to help organizations and teams make small changes that make a big difference toward greater equity.Presented at the American Film Institute, Producer’s Guild of America, Writer’s Guild of America East, American Society of Cinematographers, Disney, Verve, Good Universe, Point Grey Pictures, the Visual Effects Society, University of Southern California, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Biography
An AFI Directing Workshop for Women alumna, Tessa Blake is an award-winning filmmaker and television director (Blacklist, A Million Little Things, Station 19, Riverdale). Her films have premiered at Cannes and SXSW, been honored by the Academy, been released theatrically, and have played on Showtime, Oxygen and PBS. She and her husband Ian Williams work as a writing team for film and television. As Director of AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women and now the Nancy Malone Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at AFI, Tessa has innovated several dynamic programs for underrepresented filmmakers in the industry, working with Disney, Sony, Universal & Fox to create meaningful opportunities for talented alumni.

Fire-side chat with Sherry Alexander (NXP) and Michelle Williams-Vaden (SEMI Foundation)

Sherry Alexander
Head of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
NXP

Abstract
Michelle Williams-Vaden chats with Sherry Alexander about Sherry's new position as the new Head of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion at NXP, and her experience of being Black and female in the microelectronics industry. Please join us to hear Sherry's stories ranging from what it's like to be a 5'10" Black woman walking through an airport in China to the powerful ways all of us can support diversity and belonging in our companies.

Biography
Sherry Alexander is the Head of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion for NXP. She joined the company in May of 2017, as the Quality Director for the AMP business. Over the course of her 25+ year career, Sherry has held successively progressive, global leadership roles in the areas of Product Engineering, Program Management, New Product Development, and Quality Assurance with Motorola SPS, Texas Instruments, GE Oil & Gas, and now NXP.All throughout her career journey, Sherry has been actively engaged and involved in Employee Resource Groups, STEM outreach programs, community engagement, and the recruitment of under-represented groups including African Americans, GLBTQ, Hispanics, people with disabilities, and veterans. Ensuring everyone feels valued and has equal access to opportunities has always been a priority.She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University, an MBA in Management from Houston Baptist University, and is currently pursuing a Diversity and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University.

Unconscious Bias – A discussion on how we tackle it in the Tech Space

Alicia Scott
Senior Director - Diversity, Inclusion and Talent
ON Semiconductor

Abstract
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has become top of mind for companies around the globe; and employers are giving more attention and resources towards their efforts in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Yet culture and societal factors, including unconscious bias, can negatively impact efforts to create a diverse workforce. Hear how we can address and overcome these challenges through the lens of DEI in the technology space.

Biography
Alicia Scott is the Senior Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Talent at ON Semiconductor, leading the diversity and inclusion (D&I), talent acquisition and HR KPI teams. Her work is to ensure D&I is embedded within everything the organization does based on workplace inclusion, workforce diversity and community partnerships, recognizing that the company is at its strongest when it effectively draws upon the wide variety of experiences, knowledge, culture and backgrounds from all employees and leaders. With changing demographics, increasing demand from customers, and mobility across borders, Alicia’s mission for the D&I initiative at ON Semiconductor is to shift how the organization attracts, retains and develops talent to create a more inclusive environment that leverages diversity effectively. Having been with ON Semiconductor since becoming a public company in 2000 working as an engineer and in product development, Alicia noticed a great need and demand for a D&I initiative at a global company that was experiencing immense growth, reaching $5.5 billion in revenue at the end of 2019. In 2017, Alicia transitioned to lead this initiative at the organization from a global perspective, working with the executive team and board of directors to develop, enhance and deploy a comprehensive global D&I strategy. During Alicia’s tenure leading the D&I initiative, it has grown to include seven Affinity Network Groups including the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), STEM UP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for the Underrepresented Population), Cultivate (multi-generational), Employee Activity Committee (EAC), Black Employee Network (BEN), Continua (LGBTQ+), and Veteran and Military Employees (VME). Alicia also serves as the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Senior Leadership Council, is a Business Ethics Liaison and committee member for Global Corporate Giving program for the company. During Alicia’s tenure leading the D&I initiative, it has grown to include eight Affinity Network Groups including the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WE), STEM UP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for the Underrepresented Population), Cultivate (multi-generational), Employee Activity Committee (EAC), Black Employee Network (BEN), Continua (LGBTQ+), Veteran and Military Employees (VME) and The Bridge (multiculturalism).EducationArizona State University, W.P. Carey School of BusinessMasters of Business Administration - May 2004Rochester Institute of TechnologyBachelor of Science in Microelectronic Engineering - May 1997

Taking Diversity Culture to the Top

Susan Weiher
VP Engineering, Operations
OSRAM Opto

Abstract
Taking Diversity Culture to the Top

Biography
Responsibility •VP Engineering, Operations Working experience•2019- Now: VP Engineering OSRAM -OS•2018 - 2019: GF Sr. Director TD and Product Development•2013 - 2018: GF Sr. Director Adv Manufacturing Engineering/Operations•1991 - 2013: Applied Materials Process Engineering and Account Management Education•BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering at UCSD and Stanford UniversityInterests•Skiing, Golf, DiversityMindset•Good News in NO News, Bad News is GOOD News, and No News Is BAD News.•Good Managers make decisions, Great leaders change bad ones.•The sooner you start, the sooner you are finished.