OHIO students hear from experts, industry leaders at Women in Business event

The historic Athena Cinema buzzed with energy on Sept. 23, as it hosted “Women in Business: Leading in Technology,” an empowering event that brought together current and future tech and business leaders.

Now in its second year, this dynamic event was a collaborative effort between the Ohio University Women’s Center, Walter Center for Strategic Leadership, Business Advising and Career Services, College of Business Executive Education, and the Ohio Women in Business Organization. Their continued partnership highlights the transformative power of community in advancing women’s roles in technology and leadership, reinforcing their collective commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders.

The event kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Tracey Medley, a tech entrepreneur and Ohio University MSM graduate, who shared her journey through the fast-paced tech industry. Medley offered practical strategies for success, highlighting resilience and continuous growth in the face of challenges.

"This is a great opportunity for me to learn from future leaders and the ladies who are part of these great organizations,” Medley said. “Hopefully, with my many years of experience in tech, I can provide a little bit of wisdom back to them as well.”

A panel of accomplished women followed Medley’s keynote, featuring leaders from Ohio University and the tech industry. The panelists included

• College of Business Dean Jackie Rees Ulmer
• Sogeti Senior Manager Elise Velders
• Sogeti People Manager Emily Beekhuis
• Sogeti HR Business Partner Deidre Van Baar.

Sogeti is a Netherlands-based company with close ties to Ohio University Executive Education.

This collaboration with the women from Sogeti also brought an international perspective to the students in attendance, giving them valuable insights into global business practices and the importance of cross-cultural leadership in today’s interconnected world.

Together, the panelists explored essential topics like personal development, navigating the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), and the critical role of networking for career growth. The panelists also shared their global experiences, highlighting how leadership challenges and opportunities transcend borders.

A key theme throughout the discussion was overcoming imposter syndrome. The panelists spoke candidly about finding confidence in male-dominated environments and encouraged attendees to speak up for change. They emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and using one’s voice to shape the future of their industries.

The conversation also focused on the rise of AI in business, with panelists urging attendees to embrace AI as a tool for innovation rather than a threat. Companies actively seek talent with AI skills, and those leveraging these tools will be in high demand. The panel provided actionable strategies for incorporating AI into business operations, reinforcing the need to stay ahead of the curve.

Goal setting and self-reflection were also highlighted as keys to success, with panelists stressing the importance of pushing beyond comfort zones. The risks they took in their careers led them to roles where they could thrive, inspiring the next generation of women leaders.

Senior student Morgan Cefaratti, from the Walter Center for Strategic Leadership, shared her enthusiasm for the event.

“As a student hoping to break into tech, seeing successful women leaders come together to share their experiences and insights is incredibly inspiring,” Cefaratti said. “Tracey Medley’s career as a tech entrepreneur and her work in Amazon Web Services and Azure show us that you can make your mark in the tech world with the right skills and determination. Events like these show that there’s a place for everyone in tech—we need the right guidance and drive to get there.”

The success of “Women in Business: Leading in Technology” demonstrated the power of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community support in empowering women to excel in their careers. Adding global perspectives from Sogeti’s team made the event even more enriching for students. As the event concluded, excitement was already building for the 2025 Women in Business event, where even more inspiring conversations, topics and opportunities await the next wave of leaders.