The Women of the Cloud College Tour is a free event that is dedicated to empowering women by fostering skill development, advancing careers, and highlighting their contributions in the tech industry. Through networking opportunities and mentorship, we aim to support the next generation of women in tech while promoting diversity and inclusion in business, particularly for those historically marginalized in society.

Join local students, industry peers, cloud partners and Amazonians for enriching interactive content and networking. Hosted at Grand Valley State University’s Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH) on Tuesday, April 1st, this event will feature a keynote session, a fireside chat panel-style presentation, followed by a networking event, and so much more.

Light snacks, refreshments and lunch will be provided.

 

Who should attend?

Whether you're just starting your career journey or are an established leader, this event is for you. We welcome students and recent graduates exploring their career paths, technology leaders and executives, directors and managers across all industries and, business professionals whose roles intersect with technology, technology partners and Amazonians.


Meet Our Keynote Speaker

Image of Diya Wynn

Diya Wynn

Principal, Responsible AI - AWS

Diya Wynn is a seasoned technology leader who has been at the forefront of digital transformation. With over 25 years of experience spanning the internet, e-commerce, social media, mobile, cloud, and now AI, she brings that expertise to her approach to the intersection of emerging technology and humanity. As a Principal, Responsible AI Lead, she is a champion for ethical, safe, inclusive AI development and empowers organizations to build trust in AI. Earlier in her career, Diya worked in startups, scaling products for acquisition, and in consulting roles. An author, international speaker, and guest lecturer on responsible and inclusive technology, she serves on multiple non-profit boards and volunteers with various organizations.

In 2023, she was named one of Business Insider’s top 15 people in Enterprise AI and top 100 people in AI and one of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics (TM) among other industry awards. When she isn’t working hard on the future of AI, she’s working hard to influence the future. This starts at home with her two sons but extends to her dozens of mentees, whom she encourages to color outside the lines, defy the odds, and redefine boundaries.

Diya studied Computer Science at Spelman College, the Management of Technology at New York University, and AI & Ethics at MIT Sloan School of Management and Harvard University Professional School.


Meet the Fireside Participants

Image of Rachel Skaff

Rachel Skaff

Head of Partner Sales
AWS

Image of Carrie Borchers

Carrie Borchers

Senior Director of Sales Michigan and Northern Ohio
Presidio

Image of Ann Logan

Ann Logan

Director of Cloud Development and Operations
Corewell Health

Image of Valerie Harrison

Valerie Harrison

Principle Technologist
Pure Storage

Image of Meg Smith

Meg Smith

VP of Strategic Partnership & Security
AHEAD

Image of Samah Mansour

Samah Mansour

Cybersecurity Graduate Program Director
& Assistant Professor

College of Computing
Grand Valley State University 

Image of Jennifer Wangler

Jennifer Wangler

VP of Technology
The Right Place, Inc.
MODERATOR

Image of Britney Lindsey

Britney Lindsey

Cybersecurity Graduate Student
Grand Valley State University
MODERATOR


Agenda

Tuesday, April 1st

8:30am - 12:30pm EST

  • 8:30am - 9:00 AM: Registration
  • 9:00am - 9:10 AM: Welcome from College of Computing Dean Marouane Kessentini and Kick-Off
  • 9:15am - 9:45 AM: Keynote Presentation by Diya Wynn, Principal, Responsible AI - AWS. Building Trust through Responsible AI
    • Imagine a world where responsibility and innovation coexist… As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes industries, societies and daily life, the race of AI dominance may overshadow the critical need for responsibility. The way we design, deploy and govern AI will become a bridge to opportunity or a barrier to progress. Yet, AI innovation can be constrained by systemic gaps, unmanaged risks, unintended consequences and short-term priorities that overlook long-term impact. But what if we dared to color outside these lines? What if we challenged conventional approaches to AI - rethinking boundaries, confronting biases, and designing and deploying systems that empower rather than exclude?
      Building a responsible, AI future requires leadership- leaders who can drive ethical innovation, foster trust and ensure AI serves everyone. Join us in reimagining AI beyond its current limitations and be inspired to take an active role in shaping its future. A future that’s not just about technology, it’s about the intentional choices we make today. By mastering the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility, we can create AI that is not only powerful but trustworthy, inclusive and transformative for both business and society.
  • 10:00am -10:45am: Fireside Chat Women of the Cloud Panel
    • An intimate and inspiring fireside chat featuring accomplished women leaders who have navigated successful careers in technology. Our distinguished panelists will share their personal journeys, from their first steps into the professional world to their current roles shaping the future of tech. Our panelists will pull back the curtain on their daily lives, offering authentic insights into what it really means to be a woman in tech today. As we look to empower the next generation of women in tech, our speakers will address crucial insights and perspectives that today's emerging professionals need to know.
  • 10:45am - 11:30am: Networking Tables
    • Dynamic roundtable discussions where seasoned professionals and students come together in small groups to share experiences and insights. Each table creates an intimate setting for open dialogue about real challenges and opportunities women face in tech careers. These mentoring tables are designed to foster authentic connections and create a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their stories, and discussing topics during our moderated time together.
  • 11:30am - 12:30pm: Closing remarks and lunch

Sponsors

AWS Logo
GVSU College of Computing Logo
Pure Storage logo
Presidio logo
AHEAD logo
Dell logo


Page last modified March 14, 2025