Michele Jones

Services L.I.V.E. Program Manager 

Career Readiness: Ready for Takeoff: Unlocking Potential to Express and Celebrate Success

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Ready for Takeoff is an interactive session designed to help participants build confidence and overcome imposter syndrome. Using the Principles of Flight as a metaphor, we’ll explore strategies for self-advocacy, navigating bias, and taking bold steps in our careers—culminating in a hands-on exercise to practice self-advocacy skills.

Michele Jones is passionate about helping people grow and thrive in their careers. As a Services Program Manager at Dell Technologies, she leads global career development initiatives and serves as the Global Lead for Services Mentor Circles. With over two decades of experience, Michele is dedicated to building inclusive communities—and she’s excited to deliver a session on overcoming imposter syndrome for the Soar with MENTOR program.  

Aki Hayashi

Consultant, Globalization Program Management 

Technology Today: Global Translations in the Age of AI

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This session explores how Dell leverages AI to globalize the customer journey while advancing language inclusion and accessibility through centralized globalization services. Aki will share how project management roles are evolving—with strategic, technical, and soft skills at the core in the age of AI. 

Aki has been with Dell for 17 years, leading the globalization of products, branding, and content across diverse business partners at Dell. She is passionate about breaking language barriers and advancing accessibility with inclusive innovation, ensuring that Dell’s customer experiences resonate across cultures and languages.   Aki has lived in Japan, Russia, and the US, and currently resides just outside Boston with her two cats.  She is the proud parent of a freshman studying Computer Science at Purdue University. 

Gabrielle Rodman

Program Management Lead: Leadership Excellence Academy 

Career Readiness: Networking

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In this session, Gabrielle Rodman will explore the art of networking and its role in career readiness and professional growth. Students will learn practical strategies to build authentic connections, leverage digital tools, and develop mentorship relationships. The discussion will highlight how networking empowers women to confidently navigate their career journeys and unlock new opportunities. 

Gabrielle Rodman is a seasoned program and project management professional with nearly four years of experience at Dell Technologies, where she has held multiple leadership roles focused on strategic program delivery and high-potential talent development. She currently leads the Leadership Excellence Academy, a nomination-based program designed for directors and senior managers to enhance leadership capability and organizational impact.

Based in Nashville, TN, Gabrielle is also the founder of Career Building Basics, a career development service that equips job seekers at all stages with essential tools for success—including resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, and more.

She is deeply passionate about empowering women to unlock their potential, build confidence, and lead with authenticity and impact.

Elin Smevige

AI Solutions Architect

Technology Today: Data Science & AI

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We’ll explore how the skills of a modern data scientist have to evolve in the Age of AI; how automation and Generative AI augment the skills needed to thrive in this industry rather than replace them; and have an open discussion about how to stay competitive in the space.

Elin Smevige is an AI Solution Architect with a strong foundation in Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Software Development, and AI. Having spent over 6 years in the IT field, including a role architecting Dell Technologies hardware infrastructure, she offers a well-rounded perspective on AI solutions. With a Master's in Data Science, she helps guide customers through the complexities of AI integration and application. Her diverse experience enables her to provide valuable insights and comprehensive support in the AI field. She is based out of Austin, TX.

Katina Papulkas

Senior Education Strategist

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Career Readiness: Digital Branding

Katina is a Senior Education Strategist and has been at Dell Technologies for 7 years.  The best part about her role is that she is able to focus on student learning amplified by technology for K20 across Canada. Something Katina is professionally proud of is collaborating with lots of different teams/organizations and institutions to support student success. One of her goals is to learn how to stream so she can create her own YouTube channel that people will actually watch.  Something interesting about Katina is that she took a year off with her husband and kids and travelled the world.

James Scott

Field Chief Technology Officer

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Technology Today: Data Centres, Cloud, and On Prem in the Age of AI

James Scott is the Canadian Field Chief Technology Officer for Dell Technologies.  His expertise encompasses cloud architecture, modern application design, artificial intelligence, and IT security. James has been instrumental in assisting clients worldwide with the design, security, and maintenance of multi-cloud environments, and he plays a pivotal role in how organizations are looking to deploy and leverage artificial intelligence to drive productivity and simplify business operations.

Sarah Edmonds

Project Manager

Career Readiness: Professional Engagement in the Age of AI

Sarah has been a learning and development Project Manager at Dell Technologies for six years. Her work has spanned a wide range of areas—from integrating AI-powered machine translation solutions to ensuring compliance with digital accessibility laws to rolling out content quality tools that elevate the learning experience. One of her favorite aspects of her job is taking a vague problem statement and mapping out the many steps, connections, and strategies needed to bring a solution to life. 

Sarah is passionate about the transformative power of learning and the vital role that mentorship plays in helping individuals grow both professionally and personally. She believes that when mentors and mentees connect with open ears, minds, and hearts, everyone benefits. 

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, baking sweet treats, planning adventures, and running around with her husband, 7-year-old daughter, and 1-year-old yellow lab. She’s excited to watch her daughter grow into a trailblazer like the inspiring participants in the Soar with MENTOR program.

Deborah Parsram

Senior Engagement Manager

Technology Today: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

Cybersecurity in the Age of AI is an informative presentation that explores how artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape. Through real-world examples, it highlights the evolving nature of threats, the emergence of AI-driven attack techniques, and the growing use of AI in defense mechanisms. The session offers a clear view of the shifting dynamics and challenges security teams face as AI becomes more deeply embedded in both offensive and defensive strategies. 

Deborah Parsram is a Security Engagement Manager at Dell Technologies, where she leads strategic security initiatives across cloud and AI programs. Prior to joining Dell in 2021, she worked for the U.S. government as an active-duty service member, contractor, and civilian, supporting both the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.