Venue: Grand Prince Hotel Osaka Bay

Registration Welcome Coffee

Opening and Welcome Remarks

Speakers:
Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO Women in Tech Global
Rika Nakazawa, Chief Commercial Innovation, NTT
Kyoko Yamamoto, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, Market Planning and Analysis NTT
Masters of ceremonies:
Nyla Beth Gawel
Stéphane Fouché

Global State of Tech Leadership

This opening panel examines how traditional power structures in technology are being challenged and transformed through new approaches to AI development, investment patterns, talent development, and innovation priorities.

Panelists:
Chiara Corazza, Representative for France, G20 EMPOWER
Timur Turlov, Founder and CEO Freedom Holding Corp
Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA 

Moderator: Alina Okhotnikova, Head of Global Services for GDO AWS

Women on Boards and Their Impact on Corporate Governance and Innovation

This panel will delve into the critical role of women on corporate boards and their influence on governance, innovation, and company performance. As the push for gender diversity in boardrooms gains momentum, this discussion will explore the challenges, successes, and strategies for increasing female representation at the highest levels of corporate leadership.

Panelists: 
Pascale Meuron,  Head of Legal (GC) & External Affairs VODAPHONE
Biljana Braithwate,  CEO Sustineri Partners
Yu Serizawa, President and CEO, Forma Corporation
Elisabeth Moreno, Co-Chairwoman of Ring Capital

Moderator: David Milstein, Managing Partner, Eight Roads Ventures Japan

Coffee break

Artistic Performance

Forging New Paths: Pioneers rewriting Tech’s Future

A dynamic panel featuring groundbreaking leaders who represent different aspects of transformation in tech. 

Panelists: 
Miriam Murphy, President Europe TD SYNNEX
Gabriele Wagenhofer, Senior Vice President, Technology, Digital Core, bp
Robin Takashi Lewis, Co-Founder Mymizu
Dr Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO & Founder SDM Tech - Senior advisor to President KACST

Moderator: Clive Burcham, Entrepreneur & Advisor, We Are Compadres

Ignite Talk - Bridging Generations: The Future of Wealth Transfer in the Digital Age

Philippe Vogeleer, Women in Tech® Global Advisory Board

Redefining Financial Services: Innovation Leaders Shaping Tomorrow's Financial Landscape

Panelists:
Jose Navarro de Pablo, Advisor, Global Financial City Osaka
Kunsulu Kapbassova, Chief Strategy Officer, BEREKE Bank
Melanie Keita, CEO, Melanin Kapital Neobank

Moderator: Sandro Knopfel, Global Business Development Lead, Cardano Foundation

Oxford Style Debate: The Backlash Against Diversity Initiatives Will Accelerate Rather Than Impede Women's Empowerment in Technology

Proposition Team:
Suraya Turk, Managing Partner at Legal Circle (UAE)
Saman Sarbazvatan, Vice Dean, Ecole Des Ponts Business School

Opposition Team:
Julie Castro Adams, Founder, Women Who Lead
Rebecca Takada, Marketing Director, Women in Tech Japan

Networking Lunch

Panel: Mapping the Global Tech Digital Gap

Drawing from multiple international datasets and recent research, this panel examines current patterns in digital access and participation across gender and socioeconomic dimensions. Expert panelists will analyze key metrics including digital skills development, technology adoption rates, and representation in tech leadership positions across different demographics and regions.

Panelists:
Sonia Jorge, Executive Director, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP)
Leanne Robers, CoFounder, She Loves Tech
Assem Bolatzhan, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Shivam Kishore, Senior Advisor, Digital Transformation UN Environment Programme

Moderator: Guillaume Defer, Marketing Director, Headline Asia

Fireside Chat

Datuk Nicol David, Former World Squash Champion and Founder of Nicol David Organisation. 
Moderator: Yuki Aizawa, APAC Director, Women in Tech® Global

Panel - Space Economy 2.0: Opportunities in the New Frontier

As space technology becomes increasingly accessible, new players are transforming the economics of space exploration. This session delves into how the democratization of space is creating unprecedented business opportunities across various sectors, including satellite communications and Earth observation.

Panelists:
Chris Blackerby, COO, Astroscale Holdings Inc.
Shigehiro Hori, Co-CEO, Space Compass
Blair Bigelow, Co-Founder, Desert Legacy Capital
Yuko Kakazu, Astronomer, TMT International Observatory & NAOJ

Moderator: Rika Nakazawa, Chief, Commercial Innovation, NTT

Coffee Break

PANEL: IOWN Revolutionary Infrastructure for a Connected Future

This panel will explore the groundbreaking potential of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) initiative. The discussion will focus on the technological advancements, applications, and future prospects of IOWN, which aims to revolutionize global communication infrastructures by leveraging state-of-the-art optical and wireless technologies.

Panelists: 
Miki Tsusaka, CEO, Microsoft Japan 
Maria Metz, CEO, NTT DATA Romania 
Ito Takao, General Manager of Business Development, Mitsui & Co.. Ltd. Saudi Arabia
Dr. Azimeh Sefidcon, Vice President, Head of Network Systems and Security Research at Nokia Bell Labs.

Moderator: David Jeppson, Chief Global Policy, NTT

Beyond Borders: Aligning International Approaches to AI Regulation

Panelists:
Merve Hickok, President, Center for AI and Digital Policy
Dr Sally Hammoud, Board Advisor, Chief AI Officer - Obsession, Innovation & Moonshot experts

Moderator: Dr. Reevana Balmahoon, AI and XR Lead, Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

IGNITE TALK - Break the Cage: Redefining Executive Presence for Women in Leadership

Chuen Chuen, Managing Director, ACESENCE Agile Leadership

Gala dinner: Tech Blossoms: An Evening of Innovation and Tradition in Osaka

The gala dinner will blend the rich cultural heritage of Japan with the forward-looking spirit of technological innovation. This unique theme, "Tech Blossoms," will create an atmosphere that celebrates both the advancements in technology and the timeless traditions of Japan. The evening will be a harmonious blend of elegance, innovation, and cultural appreciation.

Venue: Grand Prince Hotel Osaka Bay

Welcome Coffee

Grand opening

Welcome Message: Sandrine MOUCHET

Consule générale de France à Kyoto, Directrice de l'Institut français du Kansai

From the Mayor’s Desk: A Tokyo Message

Leaders Talk: Tech Diplomacy in Action

Panelists:
Atsuko Okuda, ITU Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific
Ken Haig, Senior Director, Government Affairs, Microsoft
Tupou Baravilala, Director-General, Ministry of Communications, Government of the Republic of Fiji
Elisabeth Moreno, President Femmes Numériques, Former Minister of Gender Equality for France

Moderator: David Jeppsen, Chief Global Policy, NTT

Keynote Adress: HE Katsuhiko Takahashi

Representative of the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan) for FTA/EPA Negotiations, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary for International Economic Affairs, Arctic Affairs and Women, Peace & Security (WPS)

The Osaka Protocol Launch Ceremony

A milestone moment where Governments, major tech companies, venture capital firms, and institutions formally commit to measurable actions advancing women's leadership in technology. The protocol introduces specific targets, accountability frameworks, and collaborative mechanisms for achieving gender equity in tech. The ceremony features the symbolic signing and the unveiling of the digital tracking platform that will monitor progress and impact.

Keynote Adress: Julien Paluku Kahongya

WOMEN IN TECH FLASH NEWS

Coffee Break

Fireside Chat with IEEE

Kathleen Kramer, President IEEE
Moderator: Patricia Arboleda, Women in Tech Spain Chapter Director

Blockchain and AI: Shaping the Future of Digital Trust

Panelists:
Sandro Knopfel, Global Business Development Lead, Cardano Foundation
Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and COO, The Sandbox
Amy Peck, CEO and Founder, EndeavorXR

Moderator: Moeko Suzuki, Founder and COO, Tailor Innovations Inc.

The Wisdom of our scars

Clive Burcham, Entrepreneur & Advisor, We Are Compadres

Strategies for Capacity Building in the Modern Workforce

Panelists:
Keiko Kobayashi, Managing Executive Officer, Global Business Division, Pasona Inc.
Tracy Yong, Head of Inside Sales, VEEAM
Shuntasha Phillips, Senior Director, Global DEIB Dynatrace
Clare Stephens, VP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion NTT Data

Moderator: Guillaume Defer - Marketing Director, Headline Asia

Networking Lunch

AI, Creativity, and the Future of Art: Bridging Human Expression and Technological Innovation

Panelists:
Fedra Fateh, CEO, AI Art Lab
Ken Masui, Founder CEO, EDGEof Creative
Christina Lessa, CEO / Chief Creative Officer at Art Vue Worldwide
Shirley Mao, Partner RVNWAY

Moderator: Flavia Sparacino, Founder and CEO, Sensing Places Interactive

Keynote - Data is the innovation of creating AI

Daryl Hammett, General Manager of Global Demand ML/AI & Operations Amazon

Technology as a Catalyst for Women's Empowerment in the Global South

Panelists:
Shogo Ishida, Co-CEO, EMURGO
Ms. Sita Pallacholla, CEO, WE Hub, A Telangana Government initiative
Helio Varelo, Digital Consultant for Digital Experts Network - UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
Itumeleng Monale, COO of JSE

Moderator: Hwalani Mabeso, Board Member, Women In Tech South Africa

Energy Break

Workshops

• Unleashing Your Potential: Leveraging Personality Insights for Success (Viola Edwards)
• "Leveraging AI Tools to Transform Marketing Strategies" Daryl Hammett, Amazon
• Blockchain Masterclass for Enterprises - Beginner level by Sandro Knopfel, Cardano Foundation

Late Night Show

KEYNOTE - Designing the Future: Building a Society That Works for All

Caroline Codsi - Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance

Closing Remarks

Closing Cocktail

After Party