Closing Keynote
Donald Thompson
Managing Director, Workplace Options Center for Organizational Effectiveness
Executive Board Chair, Walk West
Summit for Women in Tech (Wilmington)
September 17, 2025 - September 18, 2025
#NCTECHwomen / #NCWIT2025
Join NC TECH, presenting sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, and 350+ women from across North Carolina for the 6th annual Summit for Women in Tech being held in a new location, Wilmington, NC.
This women-only summit will feature candid conversations with tech leaders where we explore gender bias, share our unique journeys, discuss how to shift the paradigm, and provide insights on how to advocate for change both now and for the next generation.
The agenda for the event will feature a welcome reception, social activities for guests to participate in, inspiring keynote speakers, interactive panel discussions, and thought-provoking motivational moments.
Featured Speakers
Motivational Moment
Jennifer Williams
Associate Vice President–Enterprise Learning Delivery and Leadership Development, Blue Cross NC
When + Where
Wednesday, September 17 + Thursday, September 18
Hotel Ballast Wilmington
301 N Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401
The NC TECH room block at the Hotel Ballast has expired. Please give them a call at 1-800-HILTONS to check availability (please feel free to offer code WTH).
There are several other hotels within walking distance including: Hampton Inn Downtown Wilmington, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Wilmington, the Aloft Coastline Center, Best Western Plus Coastline Inn, and the Embassy Suites, to name a few.
Registration
Member Registration: $350
Non-Member Registration: $550
The last day to register for this event is September 10
Sponsorship
Are you interested in sponsoring this event? View the Sponsorship Menu below and contact Tracy Sternberg.
Sponsorship MenuPanelists
Future of Work in AI
Amanda Barkus
SVP - IT Transformation, Strategy and Planning, Corebridge Financial
Michelle Coviello
VP - Client Development, Dualboot
Susan Haller
Sr. Director - R+D Advanced Analytics, SAS
Jennifer Lee
Web/US Design Instructor, Wake Tech
Deverre Lierman
Head of Raleigh Innovation Hub, Infosys
Well-Being + Work/Life Balance
Valerie Brecht
SVP, Global HR, CData Software
Valerie Merriweather
Founder and Chief Well-being Officer, Fit Well Solutions
Priya Rani
CEO + Founder, Social Apostrophe
Lori Feller
Managing Director - Government + Public Sector, EY
Jenn Rendon
Director of Sales, Tego Data
Agentic AI
Lauren Godwin
Chief Customer Officer, Vantaca
Carol Houle
CEO, Inspire Digital Consulting
Vineeta Khemani
Executive Director - Enterprise Architecture + Clinical Applications, UNC Health
Suj Perepa
Distinguished Engineer/CTO - AI Machine Learning, IBM
Janet Booth
Managing Director, Accenture
Executive Stories: What I Wish I Had Known Earlier
Sandy Ball
Chief People Officer, Aspida
Charlitta Hatch
CAO, City of Charlotte
Andrea Mohamed
COO, Quantum Bloom
Sandy Steward
CTO, Civic Federal Credit Union
Natalie Schepers
Information Technology Solutions Owner, Brighthouse Financial
Agenda
Wednesday, September 17
2:30 – 4:30 pm
Various Networking Activities
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Welcome Reception – Ballast Hotel
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Dinner – Multiple Locations Available for Selection (Dutch Treat)
9:00 pm – until
After Dinner Meet-up
Thursday, September 18
8:00 – 8:45 am
Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 am
Welcome Remarks
9:00 – 9:35 am
Opening Keynote – Empowered to Lead: Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling – The Path to Leadership Roles
Stacy Ledesma Whitenight – Executive, Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker
9:35 – 9:50 am
Motivational Moment #1 – The Power of Visibility
9:50 – 10:05 am
BREAK
10:05 -11:00 am
BREAKOUT Discussions – Session #1
Panel Discussion – The Future of Work in AI sponsored by Infosys
Panel Discussion – Well-being + Work/Life Harmony sponsored by Tego
11:00 – 11:15 am
BREAK
11:15 am – 12:10 pm
BREAKOUT Discussions – Session #2
Panel Discussion – Agentic AI sponsored by Accenture
Panel Discussion – Executive Stories: What I Wish I Had Known Earlier sponsored by Brighthouse Financial
12:10 – 12:45 pm
Lunch – sponsored by MetLife
12:45 – 1:00 pm
Motivational Moment #2 – Women in Tech: Adaptability + Resilience
1:00 – 1:15 pm
Lean In Circles Insights + Kick-Off
1:15 – 2:00 pm
Afternoon Wellness Speaker - Addressing and Avoiding Burnout
Elsa Arend, Career + Leadership Coach, Paradigm Wellness
2:00 – 2:15 pm
Motivational Moment #3 – Women in Tech: Finding the Positives of AI: Enhancing Your Value through AI Tools
2:15 – 2:45 pm
Closing Keynote – Allyship
Donald Thompson, CEO + Co-Founder, The Diversity Movement
2:45 pm
Wrap-Up/Adjourn
Wednesday Afternoon Networking Activities
Attendees are invited to join us in Wilmington on September 17th, before the Summit for Women in Tech gets underway, to network with other summit attendees. Choose from one of the activities below:
Explore Downtown Wilmington in the most fun fashion - a Pedal Pub. The pedal pub will stop at 2-3 bars around Wilmington, with drinks provided to enjoy between stops. Drinks provided on the pedal pub, drinks not provided at stops. (Max 15)
Step aboard The Wilmington for a scenic, narrated cruise filled with history, ecology, and wildlife sightings. Departing from Hotel Ballast City Docks, you’ll tour downtown Wilmington’s Riverfront, pass under the Memorial Bridge, and then explore upriver views of shipwrecks, historic sites, and natural beauty. Refreshments included. (Max 49)
**Note this excursion starts at 1:30pm.
Take a ride back in time with a history and haunts experience in Wilmington. This 2-hour e-bike ride provides an easy way to see all the sights and sounds of the city while learning about its fascinating history. With a bike rental, helmet, water, poncho, and snack included, this tour is perfect for anyone looking for an adventure. Join this for a memorable and spooky tour of Wilmington. (Max 10)
Explore Wilmington’s past from its founding through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Reconstruction, and into the 20th century. Along the way, you’ll see historic homes and churches, take in panoramic views from the Murchison Building, and visit breweries housed in beautifully restored landmarks. Enjoy 25-minute stops to sample craft beers and ciders of your choice as you journey through the city’s rich history. Refreshments included. (Max 20 people)
Register for this Networking Event
Head over to the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce for lawn games, refreshments, and networking with fellow attendees. (No Max)
Learn about the Battleship’s history, operations, armament, equipment, and life at sea. You will tour the Main Deck and up 4 levels to the Pilot House (Bridge). Along the way, you will learn about the Admiral’s Cabin, Combat Information Center, and Signal Bridge. This tour does require going up and down several ship ladders (stairs), however, it can be modified to accommodate those with limited mobility. Participants would need to take a short drive to the battleship or take a water taxi from Hotel Ballast. (No max)
Host Committee
NC TECH is honored to work with these esteemed female tech leaders from across the state to help us build our 6th annual Summit for Women In Tech event in September. With their visionary leadership and insights, the value of this event will be tremendous.
Thank You Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Welcome Reception
Luncheon Sponsor
Water Bottle
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Closing Keynote
Motivational Moments
Swag Bag
Breakfast
Name Badge
Registration
Wi-Fi
Lanyard Sponsor
Photo Booth
Champion
Champion
Champion
Java
Green Host
Advocate
Advocate
Advocate
Advocate
