Women In Tech Festival – Juntas We Rise
November 15, 2025
Event Date
November 15, 2025
Location
LPL Financial Campus, 4707 Executive Dr., 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.
SPONSORED BY LPL FINANCIAL
09:00 - 09:10
Opening Remarks
Kick off the day with our vibrant MC, Jessica Yañez, Host of The Wine & Chisme Podcast, as she brings heart, energy, and purpose to the stage. Get ready to feel inspired and connected from the very first moment of the Women in Tech Festival – Juntas We Rise!
Jessica Yañez, Host, The Wine & Chisme Posdcast
09:10 - 09:15
Welcoming Remarks
Join Lala Castro, Co-Founder & Executive Director of #LatinaGeeks, and Denyse Cardozo, Managing Director, as they officially welcome you to the Women in Tech Festival – Juntas We Rise. They’ll set the tone for the day with a powerful message about community, purpose, and the magic we create when Latinas rise together.
09:20 - 09:35
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
09:35 - 10:10
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.
10:25 - 10:55
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
11:10 - 11:25
From 30,000 Feet to the App Store: Lessons in Risk, Resilience, and Reinvention
What do flying through high-stakes situations and navigating a career pivot into software engineering have in common? Both demand risk-taking, resilience, and reinvention. Through powerful stories, this talk will inspire attendees to leverage their own unique backgrounds—no matter how unconventional—as powerful assets for breaking into and thriving in tech.
Claudia Maciel, Sr. Software Engineer, Jack Henry
11:25 - 11:40
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!
11:45 - 12:30
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.
01:45: - 02:15
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.
02:15 - 02:50
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.
02:50 - 03:05
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,
03:05 - 03:25
Closing Keynote
Beatriz Acevedo is a visionary entrepreneur, global keynote speaker, and CEO of SUMA Wealth, the leading AI-powered fintech platform for the fastest-growing young demographic in the U.S. She has raised over $60 million for ventures at the intersection of culture, technology, and economic mobility, and leads The Acevedo Foundation, focused on advancing education and capital access for the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.
Beatriz Acevedo, CEO, SUMA Wealth
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: 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!
SPONSORED BY UC San Diego Extended Studies
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 appetizers, 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.
SPONSORED BY KIA
12:30 - 01:45
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
12:30 - 01:45
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
12:30 - 01:45
The Confidence Playbook
We’ve all had moments of self-doubt — that nagging feeling of not being “ready” or not belonging. What’s often called imposter syndrome can hold us back from speaking up, sharing ideas, or stepping into leadership opportunities. This session won’t just remind you that “everyone feels it.” You already know that. Instead, we’ll flip the script and get hands-on with practical tools to reframe internal dialogue, practice assertive communication, and build confidence as a skill — one that strengthens the more you use it. Expect interactive exercises, role plays, and real-world strategies you can apply immediately to own your story and unlock your superpowers at work.
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
-
Workshops
-
Career Fair
-
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
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Event Gallery
