RECORDING: Engaging Virtual Meetings: The Sure-Fire Way to Beat Zoom Fatigue

John Chen

He’s the author of the #1 Amazon Hot New Book Release, Engaging Virtual Meetings. He’s been meeting virtually for over 35 years. He has produced over 4,000 virtual meetings including an EIGHT language meeting and the only 100% LIVE virtual conference in the training industry.

Amber Brown, MBA

I’m not your average Product Leader, I’m a thought leader and product advocate who is committed to transforming the way organizations approach inclusive products. The last 8 years, the HR Tech & FinTech industry, has opened my eyes to the shift that’s occurring right now. There is a clear lack of direction when it comes to enabling diversity and inclusion in a product portfolio.

Here’s where I step in, I’m not the Product Leader who just wants to create a roadmap to follow - that’s the easy part. I’m the Inclusive Product Expert that’s paving the way and passing along a backpack of all the tools you’ll need to arrive at your final destination. I’m rooting for not only my clients' successes but their colleagues, their families and their localities too.

I’m a community builder and problem solver at my core, so spending my time brainstorming ways to uplift the underrepresented comes naturally. Breaking digital bias and disrupting Artificial Intelligence algorithms requires grit and is kind of my thing. How does this happen you ask? Well let’s rewind a bit… being able to look at SaaS and PaaS with a diversity lens takes strategic thinking, plans of execution and the ability to roll up your sleeves and jump into the weeds when needed. All of which ignites the passion that I hold for this space and new technologies itself.

Outside of working you can find me running outdoors (yes, even in the winter), nestled with my latest book and a cup of coffee or intentionally getting lost within the aisles of Home Goods.

If you have any questions or want to talk about ways to elevate DE&I in your company’s product tech stack or personal career development feel free to direct message me!

Meg Alexander

Meg Alexander joined the PowerToFly community as a job-seeker in 2014, eventually landing her first remote role working for PowerToFly's Delivery Team. Her professional experience includes roles as a Talent Advocate, Head of Purchasing for a window factory, audiobook publishing, & more than 5 years as a paralegal. She has a bachelor's degree in Art History from Indiana University (mint condition, never been used!), where she also earned a varsity letter for Women's Rowing. She loves DIY projects and will never say no to french fries. She lives in Toledo, OH with her husband Aaron, an engineering technician, and their dogs, Radar & Cake.

Yolanda BUTLER, PMP, ITIL, CSM

Yolanda joined Dassault Systèmes in 2011 as a Senior Project Manager, leading software implementations for Fortune 50 and 100 global corporations. She currently serves as the Dassault Systèmes Worldwide Industry Services Cybersecurity Officer, overseeing cybersecurity strategy and tactical operations for the AMERICAS, EMEAR and ASIA PACIFIC geographies. Prior to joining Dassault Systèmes, Yolanda worked as a Management Consultant leading software, infrastructure and data migration deployments withdiverse teams globally, and has worked in IT for over 24 years. Prior to her corporate IT career, she served in the United States Army and the Illinois Army National Guard with specialized training as a Combat Field Medic and Communications Operator, respectively. She received her undergraduate degree in Management, with a Microbiology minor, from Northwestern University and a Master of Science degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. A lifelong learner, she plans to further her education and is currently working towards obtaining a Juris Doctorate degree and advanced Cybersecurity certifications. Yolanda resides in Florida with her wife Regina and youngest son Xavier. She has three sons, one daughter and two granddaughters. She is an avid and devoted meditation practitioner, holistic lifestyle advocate, vegan and yogi who facilitates mindfulness group meditations along with grief counseling and self-improvement workshops on the weekends.

Hunter Canning

Brandon Roberson, Ed.D

Dr. Brandon A. Roberson is a scholar, educator, learning professional, and leader. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Roberson used his skills as a classical and jazz musician to establish a school music program in South Los Angeles. He later devoted his career to supporting college access and completion in non-profit and collegiate environments. His contributions to higher education are marked by his doctoral studies on the impact of community college honors programs on minoritized students, resulting in an earned doctorate from the University of Southern California. Beyond his contributions to academia, Dr. Roberson has adapted his subject matter expertise in learning to the corporate environment. He currently uses his skills as an educator and leader to support the ongoing learning and strategic development of over 1000 senior leaders and managers, globally, as the Senior Manager of L&D at Riot Games.

Hunter Canning

Kellye Randle

Kellye Randle is a Senior Manager at Raytheon Technologies Intelligence & Space, Technical Workforce Management and Development group. She leads the Engineering and Mission Assurance Diversity Initiatives and Pipeline Programs.

With a technical foundation in computer and systems engineering, Kellye has more than 15 years experience in the Aerospace industry. She has performed numerous roles ranging from requirements development, integration & test, verification & validation, Integrated Product Team Lead and Section Manager. Her passion for DE&I, providing equitable opportunities and resources and recruitment, has lead her into the area of Technical Workforce Development. Kellye leads the Engineering Diversity in Technology initiative that aims to attract, develop and retain top diverse technical talent, and is responsible development of the Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) engagement pipeline.

Kellye also continues to give back in her community, through various outreach programs, such as Girls Who Code and service with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and the recipient of the 2021 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA), as a Modern Day Technology Leader.

Vanessa Adams

Vanessa Adams is currently the Associate Director of Mechanical Systems & Externals at Tinker Air Force Base for Pratt & Whitney in Defense Sustainment. She joined Pratt & Whitney in 2014. Mrs. Adams career began in 2010 as a Production Supervisor for General Mills – Yoplait division. She then transitioned to from food and beverage manufacturing to military defense in 2011, when she joined Raytheon as an Integrated Product Team leader. While at Raytheon, she also held a role as a manufacturing engineer. In 2014 she joined Pratt and Whitney as the lead Process and Methods engineer and later as the lead Logistics Engineer for Repair Development. In 2019 Mrs. Adams took a role with Collins Aerospace as the Tinker Customer Support Director, and in December 2020, she returned to Pratt & Whitney in her current role managing the Manufacturing, Repair & Overhaul Engineering team.

Mrs. Adams holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Masters in Systems Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. She has recently been recognized as a 2022 Science Spectrum Trailblazer by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards committee and is a 2022 STEP AHEAD Women in Manufacturing Honoree

Vanessa is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta and Jack and Jill of America where she finds time to serve her community. She tries to find a balance between, work, family, and outreach. Mrs. Adams is married to Mr. Kendrick Adams and they have two beautiful daughters.

Hunter Canning

Dr. Bridget Beamon

Dr. Bridget Beamon is Principal Systems Engineer at Raytheon Intelligence & Space, Common Engineering Organization. She has over 25 years of multi-disciplined experience, working in varied roles as lead researcher, software engineer, network engineer and systems engineer. She holds a PhD in Computer Engineering, completing a dissertation on the topic of: 'Adaptive High Level Context Reasoning in Pervasive Environments'. Her career experience has included data analysis and algorithmic refinement of IBM’s Watson cognitive computing product and significant contributions to multiple projects centered on machine learning, graphs analysis and natural language programming for DoD programs. She holds several patents for her work. Bridget is a life-long learner who is now completing a second master’s degree in Systems Engineering & Management while continually growing her AI/ML knowledge.

Most recently, her commitment to learning coupled with the ability to grasp and innovatively apply technical and theoretical knowledge to real world problems, proved critical to success as she led the productization of RI&S’s Automated Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) Requirements Analysis Tool. She is working to expand the tool’s capabilities, program’s adoption of its use, and application to RI&S’s Engineering’s Digital Engineering Goals.

As one with experience navigating the gauntlet of an engineering career path while balancing real life unforeseen challenges , Bridget is passionate about leveraging her experience in developing the next generation of minority and female engineers.

Bridget is a member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), International Counsel of System Engineers (INCOSE) , Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and National Society of Black Engineers(NSBE). She is also a 2023 recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA), as an Industry Outstanding Technical Contributor.