CWIT
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • Tech Meet and Greet
    • Female Focus
    • Code of Conduct
  • Collaborate
    • Volunteer
    • Sponsor
    • Donate
  • About
    • Board
    • In the News
    • History
  • Summit 2020

CWIT Summit 2020

Featured 3 days of virtual events on November 11, 12, 13!
The CWIT Summit is a conference supporting women in tech across Virginia.
Picture
Check out our YouTube playlist with video recordings
from the CWIT Summit!

Watch our Summit 2020 recordings and follow our channel on YouTube

Day 1 Keynote: Unleash Your Story One Ask at a Time
  • Professor Lalin Anik, UVA Darden
  • Professor Roshni Raveendhran
Day 2 Keynote: Create Your Story: Inspiration on Getting Started
  • Nicole Case
A pandemic is raging outside, companies have to layoff their best employees, systemic racism continues to impact all of us, and we are both working and teaching from home; it can feel like everything is out of our control.

We may be pausing on things in life or waiting for things to “get better” before we make a big move, make a decision, or plan for the future.   But don’t cancel 2020 just yet - use it to create your new story!  In this keynote, hear stories from Nicole’s career as well as her strategies for using your core values to set boundaries and set your own career path.
Day 3 Keynote:  Building a strong diversity & inclusion program
  • Kelli Palmer, Head of Global Inclusion & Diversity and Corporate Citizenship for CFA Institute
Kelli shares with us her insight and practices in helping a global organization thrive and excel with diversity, equity and inclusion.  She will share with us what works, what trends we are seeing, and what can you can do to help impact your organizations  now.  
Speakers
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Schedule for the Summit

Picture
DAY 1 : November 11th
Day's Theme: Women in Tech, Developing Your Career in Tech

Co-Presenter of the day: UVA Darden
UVA Darden logo
Time
Content
Speakers
11:00am -
​11:45am

Keynote: 
​Title: 
Unleash Your Own Story One Ask at a Time
UVA Darden -
Professor Lalin Anik 
Professor Roshni Raveendhran
11:45am -
​12:15pm

Networking Break 
Employer Booths
-
12:15pm -
​1:00pm
Employer Panel: 
Trends in Tech Hiring:  Secrets Revealed!  Panel discussion with hiring Tech leaders
Facilitator: Stephanie Lewandowski
Panelists:
Christina Ho, Elder Research;
Christy Phillips, WillowTree;
Dana German, Information Technology Services, UVA

1:00pm -
​1:45pm
Career Breakout  Options:
​

Breakout #1 – Career Conversations, Practicing Professional Dialog

Breakout #2 - Cultivating Your Career in Tech: Ask a Leader 

Breakout #3 - Inclusive Leadership during COVID-19 and Beyond

Speakers:
Breakout #1 -  

Courtney Christensen and
Shayna Diamond


Breakout #2 -
Jennifer Forrest

Breakout #3 -
​Rebecca Factor


1:45pm - 2:00pm
Reflections and Wrap Up
Kim Wilkens
Session Description
Picture
DAY 2 : November 12th
Day's Theme: Starting a Career In Tech - How To
Time
Content
Speakers
11:00am -
​11:45am
Keynote:
Topic: Create Your Story, Inspiration on Getting Started
Nicole Case -
Career Coach
11:45am -
​12:15pm
Networking Break 
Employer Booths/PVCC
-
12:15pm -
​1:00pm
Non Traditional Educational Panel: 
How to get started without a 4 year degree
Facilitator: Kim Mahan
Panel:

Sherry Martin
Trish Mahan
Chazona Baum
1:00pm -
​1:45pm
Start Career  Breakout  Options:
​

Breakout #1 – Self-Assurance and the Imposter Syndrome: Recognizing and Leaping Over the Hurdles

Breakout #2 - Not all Tech is Programming! Exploring Non Coding Careers 

Breakout #3 - How to get started! Clarity on your Career Transition

Speakers:
Breakout #1 - Dr. Lisa Pastore

Breakout #2 - Ryan Looney
Breakout #3 - Sarah Adams
1:45pm-2:00pm
Reflection and Wrap Up
Kim Wilkens
Session Description
Picture
DAY 3 : November 13th
Day's Theme: Thriving in Tech (Diversity in Tech)
Time
Content
Speakers
11:00am -
​11:45am
Keynote:
Topic: Building a strong diversity & inclusion program
Interviewer: Elaine Cheng
Speaker:  Kelli Palmer
11:45am -
​12:15pm
Networking Break 
Employer Booths 
-
12:15pm -
​12:45pm
Lightning Round  Thriving in Tech:
Speakers with less traditional backgrounds give 5-10 minute talk on their experience

Facilitator: Stephanie Lewandowski
​Speakers:
Sarah Lee 
Melissa Phillips
Becky Billingsley

12:45pm -
​1:30pm
Diversity Break Out 

Session #1:  Momentum Technology As a Tool for Narrative Shift 

Breakout #2:  Diversity in Tech, Our Team and Our Clients, and their Customers
Session #1 - Dr. Kilan Ashad Bishop and Dr. Elissia Franklin
Session #2 - Rachel Lee 
1:30pm -
​2:00pm
CWIT Wrap Up
CWIT Board
Session Description
View full schedule

We are grateful for our sponsor support that allows us to pay speakers for their hard work, such allowing us to make this event virtual. Admission to this exciting opportunity is only $10!
​
Your contribution will go toward a chance for (1) winner to attend a scholarship to a course at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC).

Games and Prizes!
We have two games for your participation during the summit.

We are also offering additional value for participants, such as the opportunity for a free socially distanced headshot session with a professional photographer. Be sure to register to get the most out of this incredible opportunity!
Thank you to Piedmont Virginia Community College for sponsoring the photo session location.
Picture
Picture

Meet our CWIT Platinum and Silver Sponsors

Register Today

Our Mission

Charlottesville Women in Tech (CWIT) is an organization for emerging and established professionals that provides human connections and resources for women and girls interested in or associated with technology. Our vision is to bridge the gender gap in tech by providing a safe and welcoming environment for women and girls to connect, learn and collaborate in Charlottesville.
Picture
Picture

Join Us

Membership is free!
Learn About Membership
Stay connected with the community and learn about the latest events and jobs postings.
Newsletter Sign-up

Contact Us

Questions? Ideas to share? Want to become a CWIT sponsor? Want to volunteer?

Drop the Board an email.

HOME  |  MEMBERSHIP  |  EVENTS  |  JOBS  |  VOLUNTEER  |  SPONSOR  |  DONATE
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • Tech Meet and Greet
    • Female Focus
    • Code of Conduct
  • Collaborate
    • Volunteer
    • Sponsor
    • Donate
  • About
    • Board
    • In the News
    • History
  • Summit 2020