Join us for a special International Women's Day celebration on April 11th at 11am! Enjoy a delightful brunch featuring coffee and mimosas while listening to inspiring lightning talks from leading women in tech.
This event promises a morning of learning and networking with some of the most innovative minds in the industry. Whether you are a seasoned tech enthusiast or just starting out, come be part of a community that values diversity, innovation, and creativity.
Don't miss out—reserve your spot today and be inspired by the achievements and stories of incredible women in technology! #WomenInTech #GDGLosAngeles
Speaker Lineup:
More to come!
Kelsey Webster | Software Engineer, Babylist
Seven AI Agents Walk Into a Tech Review...
The punchline? They catch your bugs before you write them. Discover how multiple AI agents debating, challenging, and collaborating can transform planning documents into actually useful architecture reviews—no scheduling required.
Yasmeen Abdul Azeem | Software Engineer, Bank of America
Social Leverage: Why Bother?
You know all the technical stuff - you can build anything with AI and your own talent - but now what? How do you move up, move laterally and communicate your value?
Angelina Millare | Founder, Your Next Win
Idea to App in a Week (or Less): Build Without Coding. Ship Without Permission.
What if you could turn an idea into a working app, without writing code or hiring a developer? See real examples as Angelina shares the proven framework she uses to help absolute beginners build products fast using AI coding agents, unlocking new career paths, business opportunities, and creative expression.
Emily Anderson | Application Developer, Stellarus/Blue Shield of California
Break the Pattern: Designing Technology That Serves People, Not Defaults
Break the pattern isn’t just a slogan—it’s a survival skill in tech. In this lightning talk, I’ll share how challenging default assumptions (about AI, innovation, and even our own careers) unlocks smarter systems, braver leadership, and more human-centered technology—without waiting for permission or a perfect roadmap.
Ashley McDonald | Digital Design & Communications Manager, New York University
Breaking the Pattern of Inaccessible Design: Empathy as Strategy
Around 95% of top websites fail to meet basic accessibility standards — not due to lack of care, but often because of knowledge gaps and poor prioritization. In this talk, I’ll explore how treating empathy as a strategic design principle can break these inherited patterns and lead to more inclusive — and more effective — digital experiences.
Agenda
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Speakers
Emily Anderson - Blue Shield of California (Application Developer Consultant)
Women Techmakers Ambassador -- GDG Organizer - Columbia, SC; Twin Cities, MN; Los Angeles, CA and Culver City, CA Chapters -- ⠀ Emily has a background in social work and technology, making her uniquely qualified to translate and liaise between two groups with very different terminology and perspectives. Emily intends to grow in her knowledge of information technology, application support, appl…
Kelsey Webster - Babylist (Software Engineer)
Kelsey Webster is a Software Engineer on the Fulfillment & Operations team at Babylist with over a decade of experience across languages and domains. She’s passionate about using AI to automate the most tedious parts of development—because if robots can’t make our jobs more fun, what’s the point?
Yasmeen Abdul Azeem - Bank of America (Software Engineer II)
Yasmeen Abdul Azeem is a career switcher who pivoted from investments to tech during the pandemic. Yasmeen works as a Software Engineer II at Bank of America, within the Global Markets Technology team. She is from Los Angeles but currently works / lives in New York.
Angelina Millare - Your Next Win (Founder)
Angelina Millare is a tech evangelist and serial entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience helping small companies achieve breakthrough results with emerging technology. Through her signature blend of “high tech + heart tech,” she bridges technology, productivity, and personal transformation.
Ashley McDonald - New York University (Digital Design & Communications Manager)
Ashley McDonald is a digital strategist with over a decade of experience in the tech industry, working at the intersection of design, communications, and user experience. As a Digital Communications Manager at the NYU Center for Data Science, she leads digital initiatives with a growing focus on accessibility and inclusive design as foundational elements of effective digital strategy.
Hosted By
Matt Kaufman, GDG Organizer
Matt Kaufman founded MK Partners in 2006 to provide custom-tailored Salesforce solutions. He has over 25+ Salesforce certifications and two decades of experience as a Salesforce leader, author, and trainer.
Since 2012, he has volunteered as a community organizer for GDG Los Angeles and GDG Cloud San Fernando Valley. He's passionate about technology and using it to solve problems.
Marsha Swallow, GDG Organizer
Marsha isn't just a graduate of a coding bootcamp, she's a passionate tech leader who thrives on building communities.
By day, she manages technical projects for a startup. But her dedication extends far beyond her day job. Marsha spearheads the Los Angeles chapter of Google Developer Groups and serves as a Women Techmakers Ambassador, fostering connections and empowering others through technology. She also volunteers at Innovate Pasadena running the monthly Pasadena Tech Happy Hour and co-leading Friday Coffee Meetup.
Her driving force? A commitment to lifelong learning and the transformative power of tech.
Emily Anderson, Innovation Engineer
Women Techmakers Ambassador & Google Developer Groups Organizer | Los Angeles, CA, Columbia, SC, Twin Cities, MN
With a unique background in social work and technology, I bridge the gap between two distinct fields, fostering collaboration and translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
As a Women Techmakers Ambassador and GDG Organizer, I bring developers together with thought leaders and innovation engineers, creating spaces for inspiration, knowledge sharing, and cutting-edge discussions. Together, we drive advancements that help our communities thrive.
Currently, as an Application Developer and Consultant in Enterprise Architecture and Health Innovation Technology at Stellarus, I evaluate emerging technologies, build prototypes, and deliver presentations to stakeholders and senior leadership. My work involves recommending transformative technologies, creating training materials for team implementation, and developing architecture artifacts to streamline organizational efficiency.
I am passionate about expanding my expertise in information technology, developer relations, application development, and operations management, striving to make a meaningful impact in both the tech and healthcare sectors.
Jason Jones, GDG LA Team Member
I am a lifelong student with a love for learning. My ethos is immersed in the thrill of learning, leading, and having a positive net contribution to the world.
Siena Aguayo, Senior Android Engineer
Siena is a software engineer and team lead with experience in full-stack web and Android, currently working at Babylist. Her professional passions include unit testing and reasonably architected code. She is a co-organizer of GDG LA Android and a Women Techmakers Ambassador. A Los Angeles native, Pokémon master, and international public speaker, Siena enjoys playing video games, knitting, and studying Japanese. You can follow her on Threads at @sienatime
Michael Sim, GDG LA Android
Gladwin Louise Cedeno, Co-Organizer
Gladwin is an MBA student specializing in Management Information Systems. Her journey began back in 2007 when she earned her Computer Engineering degree from the esteemed Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines.
Venturing into the professional realm, She embarked on an enriching career as an embedded software engineer in Yokohama, Japan, starting in 2008. Since then, her professional odyssey has taken her through diverse roles and organizations, culminating in a pivotal tenure at American Express in Hong Kong, where she honed her skills as a dedicated Software Engineer, contributing significantly to both development and management endeavors.
Fueling her ongoing quest for knowledge and professional growth, she has embarked on this MBA journey, driven by a passion for blending technology prowess with strategic management acumen. Her focus lies in transitioning into the realm of Technical Program Management within the dynamic landscape of the Technology sector.
Beyond the realm of academia and professional pursuits, she is deeply committed to supporting women suffering from PCOS and empowering young kids who are survivors of Abuse. Additionally, she finds fulfillment and joy in exploring the realms of Technology, Design, Business, Investment, Travel, Photography, and the Culinary Arts.
May Wu, Co-Organizer
Bryan Bergo, Co-organizer
Francesca Sala, Volunteer
Flavia Ballabene, Volunteer
Christy Mahlow, Marketing Team
Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-los-angeles-presents-break-the-pattern-international-womens-day-2026/.
