Women in Technology Luncheon

Women and Gender Minorities in Tech Luncheon

Wednesday, Oct 9 | 11:30AM - 1:00PM

Details

You must be registered to attend this luncheon - seats are limited, add the session to your agenda to register and secure your spot!   

Relationships Are The True Currency: Building Genuine Connections That Matter in the Workplace.

Join us for a luncheon and fireside chat where our panel of Smartsheet leaders will explore how building authentic relationships can be the key to advancing your career with confidence. Moderated by Melody Biringer, Founder of the Women in Tech Regatta, our panelists — Amelia Ransom, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Jo Deal, Chief People Officer, and Alpa Parikh, VP of Internal Audit — will share personal stories of self-advocacy, career growth, and overcoming challenges.

In the workplace, our professional relationships are the lifeblood that keeps everything moving forward. Let’s explore how to strengthen your "connection muscle" and transform surface-level interactions into lasting professional bonds. Whether you're seeking a new mentor, a colleague, or a fresh career opportunity, this is your chance to be seen, heard, and understood in a welcoming environment.

While this event centers on the experiences of women and gender minorities, allies are welcome to join us.

#relationshipsarethetruecurrency

Content Track

Women in Technology

Location

Terrace 2 (Level 4)

Speakers

Melody Biringer

Founder of Women in Tech Regatta

Melody Biringer is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Women in Tech Regatta, an international conference series advancing women in STEM and tech. Over the past 30 years, Melody has launched more than 20 businesses, including The CRAVE Company, which connects women business owners with the resources they need to thrive. She’s passionate about fostering authentic connections, having coined the hashtag #RelationshipsAreTheTrueCurrency to reflect her focus on community building. In addition to her work with CRAVE and WiT Regatta, Melody is the author of CRAVING Success and an advocate for women-owned businesses. She resides in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, where she enjoys daily walks with her husband, a practice they've kept since 1994.

Jo Deal

Chief People Officer

Jo Deal is the Chief People Officer at Smartsheet, responsible for the company’s People team. With over 20 years of expertise in global technology companies, Jo has successfully aligned talent strategies with business performance. Before Smartsheet, Jo was the Chief People Officer at GoTo (formerly LogMeIn), where she led the company’s people and culture strategy through significant transformations. Jo holds a BA in Industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham and a post-graduate HR qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Based in the California Bay Area, Jo enjoys traveling, music, English soccer, and supporting her children’s sports activities.

Amelia Ransom

VP, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Amelia Ransom, SPHR, is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Smartsheet, where she drives the company’s culture strategy and leads Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Amelia brings over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and Business Operations, focusing on leadership development, early career engagement, and executive mentorship. Previously, Amelia was the Sr. Director of Engagement and Diversity at Avalara, where she launched the company’s first DEI strategy and increased engagement scores annually. Before that, she held various leadership positions at Nordstrom including Diversity and Inclusion and Learning and Development. Amelia serves on multiple boards, including the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA Seattle, King and Snohomish.

Alpa Parikh

VP, Internal Audit & SOX Compliance

Alpa Parikh is the Vice President of Internal Audit at Smartsheet, and serves as an executive co-sponsor of the Women and Gender Minority ERG. Alpa was recently recognized by Women We Admire on their 2024 list of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Washington State. With over 20 years of experience in internal audit, enterprise risk, and governance, Alpa has worked across sectors including healthcare, energy, and technology. She has led global teams, driven strategic initiatives, and developed best-in-class practices that support.