Mikaela Jade is a Cabrogal Woman from the Dharug-speaking Nations of Sydney. She started her technology journey in 2012 with an idea that would help shape Australia – augmented and mixed reality production, and later, digital skills programs to leapfrog First Peoples’ in to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Mikaela created Indigital in 2014 to drive this idea, and on the journey has partnered with several remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Microsoft Australia, Telstra, Telstra Purple and Shared Path Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation to scale the work nationally.
Augusta Graves has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, working in various roles in software development and managing global training programs for Hewlett Packard. After retiring from Hewlett Packard, Augusta joined the IT Division for Santa Clara County where she is currently managing Electronic Health Records software training. She is also a real estate investor in different parts of the US. The former president of the Bay Area Ghanaian civic association, Ebusua, Augusta enjoys volunteering for non-profit causes and has chaired executive boards. With a BS in Computer Science from University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, she has two wonderful children and is grandmother to four amazing kids. Her hobbies include gardening, traveling, reading, and dancing.
A native of Brazil, Dr. Antonia Apolinario-Wilcoxon is a global change agent specializing in helping diverse people created shared agendas to address societal challenges together. She has worked as the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ (DHS) director of community relations from June 2012- October 2018. In this role, she managed, developed and facilitated engagement between DHS and the communities experiencing inequities in access and outcomes to human services while building community relations. She staffed the creation of the legislatively mandated Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC), which advises the commissioner on reducing disparities that affect racial and ethnic groups within DHS programs. As a representative of the Brazil-Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, she led the 5 th World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality and is also leading an effort to create a global Brazilian cultural center.
Norma leads strategic partnerships and the IP portfolio at Zakuro, Inc. – an incredibly exciting startup company rooted in fundamentals and guided by science, but focused on product. The team at Zakuro develops solid-state batteries with double the energy density of current Li ion technology and significant safety improvements over state-of-the-art, with emphasis on the ability to scale-up to the manufacturing floor. After finishing her doctorate on the surface electronic properties of transparent conducting oxides, Norma started her career at the IBM’s research headquarters T.J. Watson Research Center in New York. There, she was the technical team lead for the materials design for advanced computer memory systems based on non-volatile technologies. In that work, she developed advanced materials systems that once held the endurance world record.
Later, she established and managed a team to explore the future of human-computer interfaces by applying computer vision and artificial intelligence to data from cameras and novel sensors. Also, as part of her leadership roles, she contributed to IBM’s 12-global lab research organization with technical strategy definition, deep technology validation, leadership in emerging technology adoption, and implementing new ways for scientists to work. In her free time, she enjoys talking about technology and investing, and hiking with her German Shepherd.
She believes strongly in the power of volunteer work and the importance of our country’s STEM pipeline, therefore holds a three-time elected position on the Executive National Board of Directors for the Latinos in Science and Engineering (MAES). She holds over 20 patents – loves the invention process and working with people. Norma received her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University, and her Chemistry/Materials Science undergraduate degree from UCLA.
Marilyn Pendelton is the founder and CEO of Your Voice Heard whose mission is to holistically and innovatively Leverage Data with CompassionTM. Our vision is to heal, inspire, educate and empower individuals, executive leaders, and organizations, helping them to be resilient and fully engaged in every aspect of life as we connect with local, national and international partnerships.
Marilyn is a certified grief recovery method specialist®, registered nurse, legal nurse consultant, certified school nurse and transformational leader who has held roles in the health care, workforce development and education in the private and not for profit sectors.
She is a graduate of Widener University and holds an EdD from Gwynedd Mercy University having presented research at the 2018 Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators Conference and the 2019 8th International Research Methods Summer School in Ireland.
She is a member of The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s COVID Racial Equity Committee, the Health Equity Advisory Committee, the International Association of Women – Philadelphia Chapter, Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club and participates on various boards and committees.
