Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Rising Star Women of Technology for 2024. Technology has been transforming the way people live and work for decades, and with the recent advancements in AI tools and machine learning models, skilled technology leaders are more important than ever before.
Though women represent nearly half the workforce, they make up only 28% of computing and mathematical positions and only 7% of IT jobs. Plus men are more likely to be promoted to leadership roles in tech fields. This year, we honor the up-and-coming women in technology who are breaking barriers and hopefully closing the promotion gap in tech as they continue to rise to leadership roles.
First, we honor the accomplishments of Marja Koopmans, the Director of Alexa Enterprise at Amazon. With over 20 years of leading tech companies and academic institutions, Koopmans and her team are advancing the capabilities of the voice-activated AI assistant Alexa.
We also congratulate Danielle Teska, the Senior Director of UX Research and Design at Chewy. In this role, Teska leads UX design and research organizations, overseeing leaders responsible for crafting easy and enjoyable shopping experiences for customers globally.
Lastly, we recognize honoree Patty Wilmot, the Senior Director of IT Telecom at Comcast. In her over 25 years of working in the telecommunications industry, Wilmot has a distinguished track record of successfully planning and executing effective technology solutions.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Rising Star Women of Technology for 2024.
Marja Koopmans
Director, Alexa Enterprise, Amazon
Marja Koopmans is the Director of Alexa Enterprise at Amazon. Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. They are driven by the excitement of building technologies, inventing products, and providing services that change lives.
Koopmans has over 20 years of experience across leading tech companies and academic institutions. She has been at Amazon for over eight years in various leadership roles, including director of smart home and director. Before Amazon, she worked at Microsoft in product marketing and at Philips Lighting as the SVP of marketing. She has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Washington and Kellogg Executive Education. Early in her career, she was a general manager and senior director of marketing at Microsoft and successfully launched a strategic management consulting business, which is now part of Deloitte. She holds advanced project management credentials and is a PMP-certified professional.
Koopmans graduated from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, and from Brunel University with an MBA in Business and Economics.
Claire Mason
Director of User Experience, The Home Depot
Claire Mason began her professional career 16 years ago. Today, she is the Director of User Experience at The Home Depot. The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, values and rewards dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced professionals.
An experienced leader and strategist, Mason drives customer-centered innovation and enhances experiences across every touchpoint in the customer journey. Her previous roles at The Home Depot included enterprise UX lead, UX and AI conversational design manager, and senior manager of user experience. Before joining The Home Depot, she worked for Travelport as a senior UX designer and then as a customer experience manager.
Mason started her career in 2008 as a researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she assisted the Carter Center research director with academic relationships and publications relating to President Carter’s environmental policies. Next, she researched documents on the internationalization of the nuclear fuel cycle at the Georgia Institute of Technology. From there, she went on to serve as a user experience consultant for OneSpring LLC and Slalom Consulting. Mason graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with an undergraduate degree.
Elizabeth Benker
Senior Director of User Experience & Global Content, Alteryx
Elizabeth Benker is an accomplished design and product leader, adept at building teams that create human-centered products. Currently, serving as the Senior Director of User Experience and Global Content at Alteryx, a leading AI-enabled platform for enterprise analytics, she champions the belief that analytics can empower all employees to make informed decisions, regardless of their technical skill level.
With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, Benker has left her mark on more than 50 companies, helping them design flagship products that truly resonate with users. Her expertise extends to establishing and scaling design teams, and she excels in shaping product strategy through rigorous research. Benker is a strong advocate for human-centered innovation, emphasizing collaboration across design, product management, and engineering. At Alteryx, Benker leads critical areas, including user experience, accessibility, tech writing, and localization. Her focus is on ensuring that Alteryx’s suite of products delivers superior ease of use for users of all abilities across the globe. Before her role at Alteryx, she spearheaded user experience efforts for the product team at ZS, a management consulting and technology firm. There, she built out research, visual design, and design system teams, significantly maturing the UX practice. Before diving into product development exclusively, Benker spent a decade honing her design and research skills at consulting firms like Publicis Sapient and Centralis.
Benker’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University. She also studied at the Université Paris-Sorbonne in Paris, France. Her passion for creating impactful, user-centric experiences continues to drive her work in the ever-evolving landscape of design and technology.
Nidhi Sen
Senior Director of Technology, Target
Nidhi Sen is the Senior Director of Technology at Target. Target Corporation is an American retail corporation that operates a chain of discount department stores and hypermarkets, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the seventh-largest retailer in the United States and a component of the S&P 500 Index.
Sen has 24 years of experience. Currently, she leads the Digital Engineering teams for top-of-the-ecommerce-funnel on Target mobile apps and Target.com. Her responsibilities encompass internal and external search, recommendations, personalized deals, off-platform/social commerce, and in-session customer signals.
Before joining Target, Sen was a software architect at Thomson Reuters. Before that, she was a consultant and architect (mobile applications) at BIO-key International. Earlier in her career, she worked with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young as a software engineer. Sen graduated from Punjab Engineering College with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering.
Carol Glennon
Global Director Cybersecurity, Application Data Security, McDonald's
Carol Glennon is the Global Director of Cybersecurity and Application Data Security at McDonald's. McDonald's Corp (McDonald's) operates and franchises McDonald’s restaurants, which offer a diverse menu of food and beverages tailored to local tastes. It operates in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceanic and Africa. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the US.
With decades of experience in managing mission-critical teams and services for global brands, Glennon is a seasoned and strategic leader in the field of cybersecurity, data security, and DevSecOps. In her current role, she oversees the company’s global data security strategy and operations. Some of her key achievements include launching global mobile-first payment and anti-fraud platforms, leading digital security implementation and response teams, and improving MTTD, MTTR, and MTBF through people, processes, and automation.
Before joining McDonald's, Glennon was a global digital senior product owner for payments at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Before that, she was a global senior product owner, payments, and in-app finance at BMW Technology Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with Martin Ventures as a principal technical product lead. Glennon graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with an MBA in Information Technology Management and Cybersecurity.
Chrisie Wendin
Editorial Director, Technology, PwC
Chrisie Wendin is the Editorial Director of Technology at PwC. At PwC, their purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. They’re a network of firms in 151 countries with over 360,000 people who are committed to delivering quality assurance, advisory, and tax services.
Wendin has 30 years of experience. An award-winning editor, content developer, and editorial project manager, she possesses extensive experience in covering business and tech. She excels at crafting compelling narratives tailored for executive-level audiences, seamlessly translating technical concepts into relatable stories. With excellent developmental editing, content packaging, and editorial management skills across print and digital media, she consistently delivers high-quality results.
Before joining PwC, Wendin was an executive editor of Smart Business at Ziff Davis. Earlier in her career, she worked with IDG (International Data Group) as an electronic entertainment. Wendin graduated from UCLA with an undergraduate degree in English literature.
Elycia Arendt
Director, Application Development (Digital Marketing Technology), NMDP
Elycia Arendt is a seasoned professional known for her strategic prowess and hands-on leadership in the digital technology space. With a career spanning from the publishing industry to spearheading digital technology innovations in the restaurant and healthcare industries, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive change and deliver results in fiercely competitive environments.
As the Director of Application Development at NMDP, Elycia has overseen the transformation of digital operations, building high-performing teams and implementing agile methodologies to enhance productivity. She is the point of contact for all items related to the system strategy and day-to-day operations for SaaS platforms such as Salesforce and Sitecore. Elycia’s unique background in both IT and Marketing leadership allows her to manage business and technical partnerships seamlessly, driving continuous improvement for domestic, near-shore, and off-shore teams.
Prior to her role at NMDP, Elycia held positions at Buffalo Wild Wings and Thomson Reuters, where she led teams to achieve significant milestones, winning industry awards and driving substantial revenue growth through innovative digital strategies. Her proficiency in digital content management systems, marketing technology, and user experience design has been recognized by colleagues and industry peers alike.
Throughout her career, Elycia has been praised for her exceptional leadership qualities, commitment to transparency, and dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Her ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams, coupled with her strategic vision and innovative mindset, makes her an asset in any leadership role.
Rene Page
Senior Director of Information Technology, Lowe's Companies
Rene Page is the Senior Director of Information Technology at Lowe's Companies. She first joined the company in 2021. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in information technology, data engineering, and business intelligence, Page is an enthusiastic and visionary leader who strives to deliver data-driven solutions that enable business growth and transformation. She enjoys building and leading high-performing teams that can tackle complex and challenging projects, striving to help individuals reach their maximum potential.
Previously, Page was a senior director of data engineering at US Foods. Before that, she was a business intelligence manager at BlackHawk Industrial. Earlier in her career, she worked with Microsoft as a finance manager. Page earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Phillips University.
Liza Lyons
Senior Director, UX, Google
Liza Lyons is the Senior Director of UX at Google. She first joined the company in 2021 as director of UX. In her current role, she leads an exceptional global team comprising designers, researchers, content strategists, and engineers, focusing on developing infrastructure and tooling for both internal and external users.
Lyons’ portfolio has broadened to encompass design leadership for various areas, including the GCP platform, which incorporates the design system, as well as GCP products across developer experience, infrastructure, distributed cloud, and Cloud runtimes. Additionally, she oversees the design of reliability infrastructure tooling aimed at Googlers involved in constructing Google services.
Lyons is a high-impact, hands-on design leader, product strategist, and architect with more than 25 years of enterprise software design, development, and product management experience. Previously, Lyons was a vice president, with cross-platform experience at Oracle. Earlier in her career, she worked with NeXT Computer, Inc. as a project leader. Lyons earned an undergraduate degree in business administration, management, and operations from Boston University.
Giselle Santos
Solutions Director, Exiger
As a Solutions Director at Exiger, Giselle Santos has been at the forefront of leveraging innovative AI-driven products to drive sustainable development across Latin America, Spain, and in the Technology space. With a career spanning over two decades in various leadership roles, Giselle has demonstrated an exceptional ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with strategic business development, particularly in the Fortune 100 space.
Giselle's journey began at 4 Communications, followed by significant roles at Xora Inc. and Honeywell. Her expertise in forming and maintaining high-performance teams was further honed at BT Global Services, where she served as a Client Partner. At Nokia, Giselle excelled as a Global Client Director in the carrier multi-cloud and private wireless networks space, where she was instrumental in developing strong internal and external partnerships, driving customer requirements into business unit product plans, and maintaining executive-level customer relationships.
In her role at Exiger, Giselle leads transformative initiatives across Latin America. Her work centers on deploying Exiger's suite of innovative products, with a particular focus on Ion Channel and cybersecurity, to foster economic prosperity and ensure the safety and integrity of global business operations. By implementing solutions like SCE and SDX, Giselle's efforts help secure the digital infrastructure critical for sustainable development. These initiatives not only advance technological adoption but also provide significant economic opportunities for local communities, promoting social inclusion and uplifting the dignity of the regions served.
Giselle's commitment to social inclusion and sustainable development is evident in her pioneering projects in Brazil. These initiatives not only contribute to the ecological transition but also promote social inclusion, ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements reach all sectors of society. Her unique perspective as a Latina allows her to deeply understand the challenges and opportunities in the region, ensuring that Exiger's initiatives resonate with the cultural and socio-economic realities of local populations.
Recognized as a finalist for The Rising Star Women of Technology for 2024 by Women We Admire, Giselle continues to inspire and lead by example. Her dedication to creating a safe and sustainable environment through technology has positioned her as a thought leader in the industry.
Jyotsana Bhoj
Director, IT Strategy and Delivery, KPMG
Jyotsana Bhoj is the Director of IT Strategy and Delivery at KPMG, a global organization of independent professional services firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services. Bhoj is responsible for the delivery of multiple platforms utilizing various digital technologies in SaaS/Cloud Platforms. With experience in support and operations areas and product/program management, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Bhoj is an accomplished IT Strategy and delivery leader with over 26 years of extensive experience managing multiple programs and providing professional services in the implementation of mission-critical IT solutions in the US, UK, and abroad with globally distributed teams. Her experience ranges from strategy and roadmap planning to delivery, including finance/resource planning, implementations of solutions/productions, and setting up support and operations to running support and operations teams. Her technology areas of experience include but are not limited to, ServiceNow, SAP, Microsoft technologies, Cloud Platforms, and Container Platforms.
Before joining KPMG, Bhoj was a technical architect, lead and delivery management at Mphasis Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with Zensar Technologies as a technical architect in lead and delivery management. Bhoj graduated from Pune University with an undergraduate degree in computer engineering.
Shanthi Rajagopalan
Global Head of Strategy, WW Retail & Consumer Goods, Microsoft
Shanthi Rajagopalan is the Global Head of Strategy for WW Retail and Consumer Goods at Microsoft. Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Rajagopalan has 26 years of experience. As a transformational general manager, she adeptly articulated a clear vision for the future, crafted strategic business plans, and achieved best-in-class outcomes through high-performing teams. Renowned for her diplomatic nature, calm demeanor, and skill in navigating cross-functional creative and technical environments, she consistently delivered exceptional results.
Before joining Microsoft, Rajagopalan was a senior director of customer experience at Jawbone. Before that, she was a senior manager of business-shared strategic services at Blue Shield of California. Earlier in her career, she worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers as a senior consultant in pharmaceutical practice. Rajagopalan graduated from Northwestern University with an undergraduate degree in economics.
Laura Poore
Senior Director of Information Technology, Landus
Laura Poore is the Senior Director of Information Technology at Landus, a farmer-owned cooperative that elevates and uplifts thousands of farmer-owners throughout North America. Poore has extensive work experience in the field of user experience design and digital strategy.
Previously, Poore worked as the digital strategy and UX manager at NCMIC Group, Inc. In this role, she managed all digital platforms and led the evolution of the company's digital user experience design. She also promoted a user-centric design philosophy and aligned UX activities to business priorities. Before that, Poore worked as a front-end web developer and user experience designer III at the same company. She analyzed existing web applications for accessibility and UI/UX issues and provided workable solutions. Additional experience includes roles at Iowa Student Loan, Principal Financial Group, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Principal Financial Group, and ITS, Inc. (SHAZAM).
Poore has a Bachelor's degree in English Writing from Loras College. In addition to her formal education, she has also obtained certifications to further enhance her expertise in user experience. She earned a Usability Analyst Certificate from Human Factors International in 2006 and a UX Master Certificate from the Nielsen Norman Group in 2022.
Jeannie Homesley
Sr Director, Information Security Consulting, Technology Risk Management, Kaiser Permanente
Jeannie Homesley is the Senior Director of Information Security Consulting and technology Risk Management at Kaiser Permanente. She first joined the company in 2017 as director of IT risk management consulting. Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of healthcare. Homesley is responsible for providing departmental leadership to a team of technology risk management consultants, analysts, and senior-level managers. In this role, she oversees risk assessment and vulnerability governance operations within the department.
Homesley is a results-oriented IT risk management and program delivery leader with over 20 years of experience. Her expertise lies in building and managing technology and engineering strategic programs, services, and operational teams across various sectors, including Technology, Finance, and Healthcare, in both the United States and New Zealand.
Previously, Homesley was a project manager in engineering at Tasman District Council. Before that, she was a project manager, and engineering consultant at MWH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED. Earlier in her career, she worked with Intel Corporation as an IT finance plant analyst. Homesley earned an MBA in Business Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix and an undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering and technology from Arizona State University.
Sara Sigley
Director, Infrastructure Capacity Planning & Management, Oracle
Sara Sigley is the Director of Infrastructure Capacity Planning and Management of Oracle. She first joined the company in 2023. Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States. Oracle's core application software is a suite of enterprise software products.
A seasoned leader with a drive for innovation, Sigley has demonstrated success in scaling, automating, and optimizing operations for cloud development at Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM. She specializes in enhancing efficiency across business processes and systems, ensuring timely delivery of quality products. Known for adeptly leading cross-functional teams with a client-focused mindset, she fosters profitability and expansion. She is skilled in empowering teams, fostering connections, and cultivating collaboration to realize shared goals. Possessing strong leadership and people management skills alongside effective communication abilities, she is committed to technology advancement and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Previously, Sigley was a senior manager at CloudTune at Amazon. Before that, she was a principal program manager at Microsoft. Earlier in her career, she worked with Bernstein Investment Research & Management as an information systems manager. Sigley earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California.
Rinku Shah
Director, IT Security, Essilor Luxottica
Rinku Shah is the Director of IT Security at Essilor Luxottica. She first joined the company in 2014 as director of technology for FramesDirect.com, an Essilor Luxottica company. Essilor Luxottica SA is an Italian-French vertically integrated multinational corporation based in Paris and founded in 2018 from the merger of the Italian Luxottica with the French Essilor. The eyewear-focused group designs produces, and markets ophthalmic lenses, optical equipment, prescription glasses, and sunglasses.
Shah has 18 years of experience in various aspects of e-commerce business with a leadership style focused on collaboration and, a passion for growth strategies based on digital transformation, automation, and innovation. Previously, Shah was the head of security with the Essilor online division at Essilor Group. Before that, she was a project manager at FramesDirect.com. Earlier in her career, she worked with Wirelesslookup.com as an application developer.
Shah earned an undergraduate degree in engineering from Gujarat University. She is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional Level (CMT-P) from IMTA. Her skills include wellness coaching, leadership, meditation, mental health, and mindfulness. She is also a Trained Mindfulness Facilitator from UCLA Health. Additionally, she holds a Mindfulness Coaching Certification from the University of Houston.
Patty Wilmot
Senior Director, IT Telecom, Comcast
Patty Wilmot is an experienced senior director of telecommunications with over 20 years of management service and over 25 years working in the telecommunications industry of Comcast. Comcast Corporation (simply known as Comcast, and formerly known as American Cable Systems and Comcast Holdings), incorporated and headquartered in Philadelphia, is an American multinational telecommunications and media conglomerate.
Wilmot is currently the Senior Director of IT Telecom at Comcast. She has a distinguished track record of successfully planning and executing effective technology solutions in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. She is a creative innovator and operational catalyst for multi-faceted initiatives that achieve measurable market share, profitability, and corporate image advantages. Wilmot has in-depth expertise in process improvements and general operations. As a strategic planner, she can analyze multi-directional challenges and tactically execute accurate solutions.
Wilmot started her career in 1996 as a telecom supervisor at MediaOne. From there, she went on to AT&T Broadband, before eventually rising to telecom manager at Comcast Cable, her most recent position before being promoted to director. Wilmot graduated from Stonehill College with an undergraduate degree in communication.
Shaelyn Geiger
Director, UX & Product Design - Vehicle E-Commerce, Ford Motor Company
Shaelyn Geiger began her professional career 22 years ago. Today, she is the Director of UX and Product Design in Vehicle E-Commerce at Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States.
Geiger started her career in 2002 as a media planner at Mercury Media. From there, she went on to Fox Interactive Media, before eventually rising to vice president of customer experience at Arc XP, her most recent position before joining Ford Motor Company. She has also served as a board member for the Angelic Organics Learning Center.
Geiger graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with an MS in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and from Miami University with an undergraduate degree in management information systems and marketing.
Shail Tulugu
Senior IT Director, Application Development & Digital Products, Abbott
Shail Tulugu is the Senior IT Director of Application Development and Digital Products at Abbott, where she leads the global digital group of products and platforms for product management, engineering, IT, and delivery. Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Their portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines.
Tulugu has more than 25 years of experience in product life cycle development, management, information technology, and strategic transformation. Her mission is to leverage her product mindset, native agile processes, full-stack engineering, automation, RPA, machine learning, and other emerging technologies to develop and execute IT and business strategies, deliver organization-scale programs, and simplify and automate application domains. Some of her recent achievements include leading digital products for Abbott's point-of-care and COVID-19 testing, scaling up its capacity and reach, and enabling millions of test takers worldwide. She also led the corporate-level procurement Ariba programs, order to cash, quote to contract, e-commerce, order management automation, and innovation domains across all Abbott divisions.
Previously, Tulugu was a global IT director of e-commerce, ERP, and supply chain at Motorola Mobility Inc., a Google company. Earlier in her career, she worked with Satyam Computer Services Limited as a senior software engineer. She is a PMP-certified professional and a George Washington University alumna with advanced project management credentials. Tulugu earned an undergraduate degree in engineering from Osmania University.
Kanu Priya
Finance Director, Technology, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Intel
Today, Kanu Priya is the Finance Director of Technology, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain at Intel. Intel is a California-based multinational company that designs and manufactures products, such as microprocessors, motherboards, and storage devices for PCs and smartphones. Intel’s mission is to shape the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world.
Priya is a finance Leader with over 19 years of diverse experience across Intel, Unilever, and E&Y, covering exec partnering, strategy, FP&A, long-range planning, corp. finance, consulting, and internal audit. Priya started her career in 2005 as an accountant trainee at M/s Sahni Natarajan and Bahl. From there, she went on to EY, before eventually rising to finance business partner in global workplace services at Unilever, before joining Intel.
Priya graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce with an undergraduate degree in finance. She also studied at The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Madhuri Jha
Director of IT, Honeywell
Madhuri Jha is the Director of IT at Honeywell. Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. As a trusted partner, they help organizations solve the world’s toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations that help make the world smarter, safer, and more sustainable.
Jha has 14 years of experience. As an experienced IT professional, she has led diverse initiatives ranging from large-scale technology implementations and IT governance to analytics services and game-changing digital transformation projects. With a proven track record in setting vision and strategy, she excels in both strategic planning and tactical execution, including system design, project development, global technology implementation, and multimillion-dollar program management. A well-rounded technical leader with a passion for mentoring, she takes pride in driving organizational growth through robust technology solutions while prioritizing organizational change management processes, policies, and culture conducive to solution adoption and business value realization.
Jha graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University with an MBA in Business Administration and Management. She is a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute, a Certified ScrumMaster, and has a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification – Level I.
Carmen Bermudez
Senior Director of Network Operations, Verizon
Carmen Bermudez is the Senior Director of Network Operations of Verizon, a New York-based telecom company that provides services, such as telephony, TV, and internet connectivity for individuals and businesses.
Bermudez has a proven track record in project management and process improvement, ensuring seamless integration and delivering high-quality solutions to meet customer needs. In her current role, Bermudez is the leader of people and technology to maximize the success of Verizon's inside plant operations across NYC and Long Island. She started at Verizon in 1991 working in various roles in operations. She was promoted to operations director in 2009 and continues to serve in this capacity. She added her senior director responsibilities in 2016.
At Verizon, Bermudez honed her interpersonal skills through relationship development and building, fostering strong connections with both internal teams and external partners. She has led cross-functional teams, demonstrating effective team leadership and management to drive performance and achieve business objectives. Leveraging her industry knowledge in telecommunications and managed services, she developed and executed strategic plans, focusing on improving operations and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Marina Lieban
Director, UX Research Operations, Meta
Marina Lieban is the Director of UX Research Operations of Meta. She first joined the company in 2017 as manager of UX research operations. Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta, and formerly named Facebook, Inc., and TheFacebook, Inc., is an American multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. The company owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, among other products and services.
Previously, Lieban was an owner, lead planner, and designer at Esla Events: Planning + Design. At Esla Events, she sourced new business by redesigning the company website, engaging in prospective customer outreach, and forming strategic vendor partnerships. She demonstrated adept project and process management skills, taking the lead in all event planning and design, both autonomously and in cooperation with vendor teams nationwide. Excelling in relationship development, she offered exemplary service to vendors and clients throughout long-term projects.
Earlier in her career, Lieban was a technical project manager at the San Francisco 49ers. Her first professional role was with Facebook as a user operations manager. She was the tenth member of the User Operations team. Lieban earned an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and an undergraduate degree in communication from Stanford University.
Danielle Teska
Senior Director of UX Research & Design, Chewy
Danielle Teska is the Senior Director of UX Research and Design at Chewy. She first joined the company in 2022. Chewy Inc (Chewy), a subsidiary of PetSmart LLC, operates as an online retailer. It offers food products and accessories for dogs, cats, fish, small pets, farm animals, horses, and reptiles.
Teska leads UX design and research organizations, overseeing leaders responsible for crafting easy and enjoyable shopping experiences for customers globally. Her passion is designing, building, and scaling best-in-class design organizations, where teams can do the best work of their careers in service of customers.
Previously, Teska was head of core shopping design at Amazon. Before that, she was a user experience and front-end engineering manager at BuySeasons, Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with Chaney Instrument Company as a product designer. Teska earned a Master of Engineering in Human-Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington and an undergraduate degree in graphic design, English, and studio art from Carthage College.
Beth Campbell
Senior Director, Information Technology, Spectrum
Beth Campbell is the Senior Director of Information Technology at Spectrum. She first joined the company in 2016 as a senior technologist. Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc., a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states.
Campbell’s previous roles at Spectrum were director of information technology and senior technologist. Before that, she was a software engineer at Time Warner Cable, where she was responsible for the analysis, design, and implementation of several major components, including payments, work order management, trouble ticket management, and enhancements for the commercial market. Before that, she was a senior software engineer at Bank of America. Earlier in her career, she worked with Skyway Freight Systems as a junior software developer.
Campbell earned an MBA in Finance from Wake Forest University School of Business, an MS in Analytics from Georgia Institute of Technology, and an undergraduate degree in mathematics sciences from Clemson University.