Women In Tech Festival – Juntas We Rise
November 15, 2025
Event Date
November 15, 2025
Location
Intuit Campus, 7535 Torrey Santa Fe Rd, San Diego
Featuring
21 Professional Speakers
Empowering Latinas in Tech — Together We Rise!
The #LatinaGeeks Women in Tech Festival returns for its 9th year—bigger, bolder, and more empowering than ever.
This vibrant one-day event is for Latinas at every career stage. From entrepreneurs to students, you’ll leave energized and connected.
Why Attend?
- Spark new ideas
- Connect with fellow innovators
- Grow your career & confidence
- Be seen, supported, and celebrated
BECOME A SPONSOR
Support the 2025 #LatinaGeeks Women in Tech Festival – Juntas We Rise and connect with a powerful community of Latinas in tech, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
As a sponsor, your brand will gain high-impact visibility, access to top talent, and the chance to be part of a movement that’s shaping the future of tech.
Limited spots available. Let’s rise—together.
Event Schedule
08:30 - 09:00
Registration, Cafecito, & Networking
Start your morning with Registration, Cafecito, & Networking—a warm and welcoming kickoff to the LatinaGeeks Women in Tech Festival! Grab your badge, sip on some cafecito, and connect with fellow attendees before the day begins. It’s the perfect opportunity to spark conversations and build new friendships in a relaxed, energizing atmosphere.
09:00 - 09:10
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Join Lala Castro, Co-Founder of #LatinaGeeks, and Denyse Cardozo, Managing Director, as they kick off the Women in Tech Festival with a warm welcome message and opening remarks. They will set the tone for the day—celebrating how far we’ve come, highlighting what’s ahead, and reminding us why Juntas We Rise is more than just a theme—it’s a movement. Get ready to feel inspired from the very first moment.
09:30 - 10:15
Start Smart: What Every Latina Needs to Know Before Launching a Business
Thinking of starting your own business? Don’t go in blind. This powerhouse session brings together successful Latina founders and small business experts to share the real talk they wish someone told them on Day One. From must-have tech tools and legal basics to choosing the right business structure and developing a CEO mindset, this session is packed with honest insights and tactical advice to help you start smart and rise faster. If you’re dreaming of launching something big—this is where you begin.
10:15 - 10:30
Turning No Into Next: Embracing Rejection
The path to success is paved with rejection. As Latinas, we often face unique hurdles, but our greatest power is our ability to bounce back. “Embracing Rejection” is a talk about why getting comfortable with rejection is key to unlocking on true potential, both personally and professionally. We will explore imposter syndrome, fear of failure, and practical tips to build your confidence and unapologetically go after the opportunities you want and deserve.
Sylvia “Nicy” Durán, Principal, Business Operations, Intuit & Host of the One of a Kind Podcast with Nicy Durán
10:30 - 11:00
Cafecito & AI Matchmaking | Networking Experience
This isn’t your average networking break—it’s connection with intention. Grab a cafecito and jump into a one-of-a-kind AI-powered matchmaking experience, where you’ll be paired with fellow attendees based on shared interests, expertise, or goals—before the event even begins! Whether you’re seeking mentors, collaborators, recruiters, clients, or new friends, this space is designed to spark real, meaningful connections.
Use the event app to schedule meetups at designated networking tables, chat with sponsors, exhibitors, and maximize every moment of your festival day. Skip the small talk—this is where real opportunities begin brewing
11:00 - 11:15
JUST AI™️: Designing Responsible Innovation Rooted in Justice and Community
What if AI wasn’t just artificial, but JUST as ethical, inclusive, and community-driven? In this 15-minute Power Talk, cybersecurity leader and community advocate Jaidie Vargas explores how Latinas can shape the future of technology through intentional innovation. “JUST AI” is more than a play on words as a framework to reclaim our voice in the systems we build, use, and fund. Attendees will walk away with a fresh perspective on AI ethics and how to lead in tech without losing sight of people and purpose.
Jaidie Vargas, Co-Founder of Amigas in Tech & IT Director,
12:00 - 12:45
Lunch & AI Matchmaking | Networking Experience
Power up your afternoon with good food and even better connections. During this extended lunch break, you’ll dive back into our AI-powered matchmaking experience, giving you the chance to meet attendees, recruiters, mentors, and potential collaborators that align with your goals and passions.
Use the event app to plan meetups in advance, reserve a table, and make the most of this high-vibe networking space. Whether you’re closing a deal, landing your next interview, or simply connecting with fellow changemakers—this is where community meets opportunity.
2:00 - 2:30
Cafecito & AI Matchmaking | Networking Experience
Need a midday boost? This afternoon cafecito session is your chance to recharge and reconnect with intention. Revisit your personalized matches through the AI-powered event app, meet face-to-face at our networking tables, and explore fresh conversations with potential collaborators, recruiters, mentors, or new amigas.
It’s the perfect time to follow up on earlier meetups, discover new connections, or simply enjoy some cafecito while chatting with sponsor exhibitors. Whether you’re job-hunting, hiring, or idea-sharing—this space is your networking sweet spot.
Because at this festival, every cafecito break is an opportunity.
2:30 - 3:10
La Jefa Moves: Using AI to Level Up Your Career or Business
Ready to make some serious jefa moves? Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or scaling your next side hustle, this session will show you how to harness the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, automation platforms, and data analytics to work smarter—not harder.
Learn how today’s tech can help you streamline tasks, unlock productivity, boost visibility, and make bolder, faster decisions—so you can own your time, your power, and your path forward. This session combines tactical and transformational elements.
Because when Latinas embrace AI, we don’t just keep up—we lead.
3:10 - 3:25
Using Your Voice in a World That's Always Been Loud
In a world that rewards the loudest voice in the room, what does it mean to lead as someone who grew up quiet?
In this deeply personal and powerful talk, Yvonne Armenta shares her journey as an introverted Latina learning to lead, speak, and show up authentically in spaces that weren’t designed for her softness—or her strength.
Through storytelling, reflection, and lived experience, Yvonne explores how she found confidence not by becoming someone else, but by embracing who she’s always been. This session is a reminder that using your voice isn’t about volume—it’s about truth, timing, and choosing to say it out loud.
Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like they had something to say… but didn’t know how.
Yvonne Armenta, Speaker, Consultant, & Founder of ¡Latina, Presente!
3:25 - 3:30
Closing Remarks & Raffle Announcement Winners!
We’re wrapping up the day with gratitude, good vibes, and giveaways! Join us as we close out the festival with final reflections and a reminder that this is just the beginning of your jefa journey.
Then stick around for our raffle prize announcement—you could walk away with some seriously amazing swag, tech goodies, or surprise gifts from our sponsors!
You showed up. You connected. Now let’s celebrate how far we’ve come—together. 💜
#JuntasWeRise
3:30 - 5:00
Career Fair + Happy Hour + Networking + Marketplace
Visit Hall C for more details.
12:45 - 02:00
Future-Proof Your Career: Harnessing AI and Design Thinking to Brand Your Career
In today’s rapidly changing workplace, standing out requires both adaptability and creativity. This interactive workshop combines the power of AI tools with the five stages of design thinking to help you design and strengthen a personal brand that evolves with your career:
- Empathize: Reflect on your strengths, values, and experiences to uncover what makes your story unique.
- Define: Use AI to analyze trends, identify opportunities, and clarify your positioning in the market.
- Ideate: Brainstorm innovative ways to communicate your professional brand, leveraging AI to spark new ideas.
- Prototype: Draft personal branding statements, bios, and messaging with AI support.
- Test: Share your prototypes, gather feedback in a collaborative setting, and refine your narrative.
By the end, you’ll leave with a career branding toolkit with examples of your professional story, and the confidence to evolve your brand as your career grows.
Jarazet Altamirano, Founder & Chief Marketing Officer, Innovationist Playbox
12:45 - 02:00
Technical Doesn’t Mean Intimidating: How to Break Into Tech Without a CS Degree
Think you need to code full-time to work in tech? Think again. In this workshop, Maria Jose Rios shares how she broke into a technical role at Salesforce without a computer science degree—and how you can too. We’ll explore the wide range of non-engineering careers in tech, from Solutions Engineering to Product to Technical Account Management, and how skills in business, finance, or communications can be your edge. You’ll walk away with a clearer roadmap, actionable steps to upskill, and the confidence to see yourself in the tech industry—on your own terms.
Maria Jose Rios, Solution Engineer, Salesforce
3:30 - 5:00
Career Fair: Meet Recruiters + Level Up Your LinkedIn
Looking for your next big opportunity? This is your moment. Swing by the Career Fair to connect directly with recruiters from top companies who are actively seeking Latina talent across tech and business roles. Bring your resume and get it reviewed one-on-one by a professional recruiter for real-time feedback and tips.
Plus, stop by our on-site headshot station to get a fresh, high-quality photo for your LinkedIn profile—because you should look as professional online as you are IRL.
Come prepared, polished, and ready to make career-changing connections.
¡Sí se puede!
3:30 - 5:00
Happy Hour + Networking
Let’s close out an inspiring day the right way—with good vibes, great convos, and even better company.
Our Happy Hour & Networking area is the perfect space to kick back, connect with new amigas, reflect on your favorite sessions, and swap contact info with the incredible people you met throughout the day.
Enjoy snacks, beverages, and easy-going energy while building relationships that go far beyond the festival. Because in our community, we rise together—and we cheers together.
3:30 - 5:00
Shop Latina: The Marketplace Experience
Take a break, treat yourself, and shop with purpose at our vibrant Latina-Owned Marketplace! This curated shopping experience features local small businesses offering everything from handmade goods and wellness products to tech services and cultural treasures—all created and owned by powerhouse Latinas.
Whether you’re looking to support your community, discover new favorites, or take home something special, this is your chance to shop for a cause and uplift fellow jefas while you do it.
Don’t leave without stopping by—because investing in them means investing in us. 💜
What People Are Saying
Speaker Highlights
Ticket Prices
Student
Requires EDU address-
All Day Pass
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Workshops
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Career Fair
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Happy Hour
General Admission
All Access-
All Day Pass
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Workshops
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Career Fair
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Happy Hour
Exhibitor Table
Startup or Small Business-
Two All Day Passes
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Workshops
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Career Fair
-
Happy Hour
Frequently Asked Question
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Are tickets refundable or transferable?
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Event Gallery
