Join us for an impactful, multi-session workshop that addresses the critical intersection of culture and technology. We'll explore how integrating human-centric principles into every stage of tech development can reshape the future of the industry-making technology more inclusive, accessible, and empathetic to the diverse world we live in.
Through interactive sessions and collaborative group work, you'll gain actionable insights on how to incorporate inclusive practices into tech product design, from apps to AI systems. Whether you're an engineer, designer, product manager, or tech leader, this event offers a valuable opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate on creating more equitable and inclusive technology.
Shashank Kapadia is a machine learning engineering leader specializing in large-scale AI solutions that drive measurable improvements in user engagement and business outcomes. With over a decade of hands-on experience at global organizations like Walmart, Randstad, and Monster Worldwide, he has pioneered cutting-edge ML solutions—optimizing revenue, boosting engagement, and streamlining decision-making.
Shashank’s approach balances technical rigor with ethical responsibility. He champions fairness, transparency, and real-world relevance, ensuring solutions serve both the enterprise and the broader community. An active mentor and thought leader, he has spoken at global conferences, judged and mentored hackathons, authored widely-read articles on NLP, and co-authored published research—guiding teams to award-winning results.
A valedictorian graduate in Operations Research from Northeastern University, Shashank continues to push the boundaries of ML innovation. His work exemplifies a seamless fusion of cutting-edge techniques, high-level strategy, and values-driven execution—advancing technology that’s as impactful as it is responsible.
Shashank Kapadia is a machine learning engineering leader specializing in large-scale AI solutions that drive measurable improvements in user engagement and business outcomes. With over a decade of hands-on experience at global organizations like Walmart, Randstad, and Monster Worldwide, he has pioneered cutting-edge ML solutions—optimizing revenue, boosting engagement, and streamlining decision-making.
Shashank’s approach balances technical rigor with ethical responsibility. He champions fairness, transparency, and real-world relevance, ensuring solutions serve both the enterprise and the broader community. An active mentor and thought leader, he has spoken at global conferences, judged and mentored hackathons, authored widely-read articles on NLP, and co-authored published research—guiding teams to award-winning results.
A valedictorian graduate in Operations Research from Northeastern University, Shashank continues to push the boundaries of ML innovation. His work exemplifies a seamless fusion of cutting-edge techniques, high-level strategy, and values-driven execution—advancing technology that’s as impactful as it is responsible.
Faith McGee is an Inclusive Research professional with over 15 years of experience working for large Fortune 500 companies, such as Zelle, Electronic Arts, and Meta.
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They are a crusader for centering underrepresented groups in product development to amplify their voices for making a more inclusive and resilient product for a broader market. Specifically, they study how issues like low vision, depression, and neurodiversity guide user behaviors.
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They have managed large, inclusive, research-focused teams that bring new thinking and product development practices to companies. At Meta, they are an Accessibility Champion and Inclusive Research Leader who builds company-wide inclusive training materials.
They are also working on a book, Revolution as a Habit: Using Inclusive Research Every Day, with co-speaker Natashia Tjandra.
They live in San Francisco, CA, with her family and are very active in human rights organizations with a certification from the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination.
Kathryn Weber-Hottleman is the Senior Accessibility Lead at Travelers and supports products through their entire lifecycles. She supports and trains product owners, designers, developers, quality assurance, and others on incorporating accessibility into their work. Prior to this, she was an Accessibility Consultant at Deque, where she was an embedded coach who worked directly with agile development teams. She was also responsible for standing up the University of Connecticut’s digital accessibility program. Kathryn holds the CPWA and ADS certifications through the IAAP, the Trusted Tester certification, the ADA Coordinator Training Certification, and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Laila is the Head of Design, Research and Accessibility Operations at Xero. Laila is passionate about business transformation, design thinking and customer experience. With a background in strategic consulting, Laila is known for eliminating complexity, leading change and establishing new teams or capabilities. Laila established the Digital Accessibility capability at Coles Group in Australia and is now leading the global Digital Accessibility team for Xero. Laila lives in New Zealand with her husband and two sons.
I’m a Worldwide Gen-AI/AI/ML Solution Architect based in Seattle, WA, with nearly 7 years of professional experience in AI/ML and cloud-native technologies. I specifically lead and support the Q Business offering from AWS which is a conversational enterprise Gen-AI chatbot and co-lead other Gen-AI services like Bedrock and AI services. I'm a passionate Technologist with a thirst for learning and applying the skills to make world a better place through Technology.
Seasoned product leader with a proven track record of transforming cloud computing, AI, and data solutions into revenue generators at AWS and Microsoft. Specializes in building highly scalable, customer-obsessed products and features that solve complex enterprise challenges while driving rapid market adoption. Known for combining deep technical expertise with strategic vision to deliver groundbreaking solutions that consistently exceed customer expectations and market demands.
Rakshana Balakrishnan is an accomplished cloud infrastructure product leader with over 12 years of experience in designing and delivering technical cloud-based products from concept to launch, including 0-to-1 and 1-to-n launches. She empowers global customers to create better business outcomes through their cloud journey, by delivering impactful products focused on Cloud Financial Management, Cloud Security, and AI/ML specialities.Â
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As a recognized thought leader, Rakshana has spoken at numerous international conferences, published articles on cloud product management, and served as an industry judge at international award programs. Passionate about fostering diversity in STEM, she serves as a community engagement leader and actively mentors hundreds of young women, in partnership with nationally recognized non-profit organizations.
Natashia is a Design leader with broad experience at the intersection of design, data, technology, and marketing. Her career has led her through different disciplines in Design: Design research, designing typefaces, creating 360 ad campaigns for prestigious global brands, co-running her own boutique design agency, and leading cross-functional design and research teams in the #1 global consulting firm.
Currently at EA, she’s humanizing technology and the workplace, and a champion for underrepresented groups in product development at EA and the community.
