Registration
About the Event
Join us for a day of connection, inspiration, and growth at the Vermont Council on World Affairs’ annual International Women’s Day Celebration, a unique event dedicated to celebrating and elevating women – this year with a focus on the dynamic and rapidly evolving field of technology.
This year’s networking breakfast will spotlight the achievements of women who are leading the way in tech, both in Vermont and nationally. Featuring a diverse panel of inspiring speakers at the forefront of innovation, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from women who are shaping the future of technology businesses and driving change in their industries.
Whether you’re an established leader or just beginning your career, the event offers a valuable space to connect with like-minded professionals, gain new insights into the tech sector, and learn from experts who have broken barriers and built successful careers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
We hope to see you there for a day of networking, knowledge-sharing, and celebration of women in technology.
Meet the Speakers
Dani Giandomenico
CEO, Ixis Digital
Dani Giandomenico is the Founder and CEO of IXIS, where she leads the company’s strategic vision, growth, and innovation. She ensures client engagements align with key business objectives while driving agile product development in an ever-evolving market.
A seasoned entrepreneur with two successful data startups to her name, Dani founded IXIS in 2012 and, a decade later, pioneered ATLAS, the industry’s first Business Intelligence Socialization Platform, securing a patent and launching it in 2022.
With nearly 20 years of expertise in data-driven marketing and customer experience, Dani has shaped digital business and data strategies across industries, including automotive, luxury retail, technology, CPG, and financial services. She has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Audi North America, BMW, Kia Motors of America, Chobani, Morgan Stanley, Samsonite, TUMI, Mattel, Volkswagen Group, FTD, Home Depot, Karl Lagerfeld, TOM FORD International, Bulgari, Eileen Fisher, Cole Haan, and Google.
A visionary leader at the forefront of data innovation, Dani is redefining how businesses harness technology and intelligence to drive growth, elevate customer experiences, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Ellie de Villiers
Executive Director, Maple Broadband; President, Vermont Communications Union Districts Association
Ellie de Villiers holds a number of positions across the public and private sectors, with a focus on telecommunications and affordable access. Ellie is Executive Director of Maple Broadband Communications Union District in Vermont, USA, and Group Head of Affordable Access Initiatives for Liquid Intelligent Technologies Group in eastern and southern Africa.
Having resided in South Africa for a decade, Ellie has strong credentials in public policy and strategy as it applies to innovation and industry development. Current Chairperson of the Vermont CUD Association, she is former Chairperson of the Wireless Access Providers’ Association of South Africa (WAPA), and was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for four years.
Her specific areas of interest and expertise are identifying new ideas and the commercial modelling and technical assessment required to deliver on those ideas. She holds an MBA from Babson College, and lives in New Haven, Vermont.
Shannon Mitchell
COO, GameTheory
Recognized by Bustle as a "Woman Redefining What It Means To Work In STEM”, Shannon is co-owner of GameTheory Co, a Vermont-based studio that applies the power of games, technology, & design to create social change. Through her work, she has designed dozens of successful social projects in areas like civic engagement, social work, mental health, art, medicine, and more.
In addition, Shannon serves as an Adjunct Professor at Champlain College, a local event organizer, IGDA mentor, and game industry coach to foster intersectional diversity within games and tech. Shannon sees her work as a step toward a future where design thinking is applied to solve today’s problems in an accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable way.
Moderator
Weiwei Wang
Executive Director, Community and Policy; Co-Founder, Vermont Professionals of Color Network
Weiwei Wang immigrated from Beijing, China as a child and grew up in Vermont, California, and Utah. After completing undergraduate studies at Connecticut College, she worked in various roles in higher education, fitness, event management, international shipping logistics and trade, project management, and research. Through all of these experiences, Weiwei has focused on access to community as an avenue for self- and community empowerment, and community building as a source of grounding and inspiration. This has driven her work in communities across the state and has been fostered through her work as a founding member of the VT Professionals of Color Network.
Currently, she serves as the Executive Director focusing on Community and Policy for the VT PoC Network, and is a co-founder of the Vermont Health Equity Initiative.
Why Your Support Matters
By attending this event, you’re not just celebrating women in tech—you’re also supporting the vital work of the Vermont Council on World Affairs. Proceeds from the event go directly toward funding VCWA’s programming, which includes global leadership development, mentorship for emerging leaders, and community outreach to elevate women in fields like technology.
Your participation is helping us empower the next generation of women leaders, provide educational opportunities, and build international connections.
Sponsors and Partners
If you are interested in sponsoring or partnering on this event, please email Elizabeth@vcwa.org for more information.