Athena's 5th Annual Lifting While Climbing Summit

Athena’s 5th Annual Lifting While Climbing Summit on October 16th!

At a time when women’s progress is under pressure, Athena is doubling down on its mission to elevate, equip, and embolden women and their allies to lead with purpose and in community.

Convening its 5th year, Athena’s Annual Lifting While Climbing Summit returns to San Diego as a bold, fast-paced gathering of trailblazers in STEM, AI, policy, and social change.

This year’s theme—Lighting the Path Forward | Navigating the Peaks of Progress—reflects the urgency to lead with courage, strengthen alliances, and protect hard-won gains. As shadows gather, this Summit illuminates the road ahead through courage, shared resolve, and strategic action.

You’ll hear from AI innovators, equity champions, and allyship enablers —all committed to our shared values and lighting the path for others.

Join us—as we light the way forward, together.

Your Live Event Ticket Includes:

• An exclusive 1.5 hours of networking at the VIP Reception

• Complimentary beverage tickets and decadent hors d'oeuvres

• Open seating at Lifting While Climbing Summit

Athena’s LWC Summit Show Flow | October 16, 4-7pm

4-5:20pm | Experiential Networking Segment 

5:20 - 5:30pm | Holly Smithson | Athena CEO Opening Remarks

5:30pm - 6:15pm  | AI Lightning Talks | From Fear to Power

While many fear AI will replace us, these AI leaders are showing how to command it—using AI to launch social enterprises in Africa, automate global regulatory compliance, and amplify corporate social impact across multiple countries. Join these STEM innovators to see how purpose and curiosity turn AI into a tool for career advantage and global impact.

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• MODERATOR: Holly Smithson | President & CEO @Athena​

• Jaye Connolly | Chairman & CEO @RippleNami

• Sara Hyzer | Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer @ WD-40

• Lauren O'Brien | Director, Intelligent Automation & Digital Upskilling @PwC

• Polina Wilson | Global People Experience & Innovation Manager @Resmed​

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615pm -6:55pm | Climate Tech Lightning Talks | Women Who Won’t Wait  

From scaling climate-tech startups to funding breakthrough sustainability ventures and steering innovation at one of the nation’s top research labs, these pioneering women are proving how leadership in science, capital, and technology can lift society and accelerate a sustainable future. These distinguished industry leaders will ignite a vision of what’s possible when women lead by turning resistance into resilience.

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• MODERATOR: Jaye Connolly | Chairman & CEO @RippleNami

• Daphne De Jong | Founder & CEO @Ven

• Mary Louise Gifford | General Partner & Founder @Terragenome Ventures

• Dr. Ravi Chawla | Founder & CEO @ ChakraTech, Biomanufacturing Startup

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7:00 PM | Closing Remarks | Holly Smithson & Susan Poser, Athena Board Chair 

Learn more: https://www.athenastemwomen.org/lwc2025

Privacy Notice: All Athena leadership programs are recorded for on-demand access. By registering, you consent to being recorded and agree to the use of the recording for future viewing and promotional purposes.