Pittsburgh WITCON 2026: Ten Years of Unifying Tech
Description
For ten years, getWITit has been bringing people together to build more inclusive, sustainable tech communities. In 2026, WITCON returns to Pittsburgh to celebrate a decade of impact and to focus on what comes next.
WITCON is a one-day conference designed for women, nonbinary people in tech, and allies in tech who want to build stronger, more equitable teams and organizations. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and space to connect with people who care about both technology and the humans behind it.
What to Expect
WITCON is intentionally designed to be approachable, relevant, and useful — whether you’re early in your career or leading teams.
You can expect:
Thoughtful talks and panels led by experienced tech professionals
Practical sessions you can apply immediately in your work
Opportunities to connect with peers across roles, industries, and experience levels
A welcoming environment where you don’t have to “perform” to belong
This is not a hype conference. It’s about learning from each other, strengthening your skills and perspective, and growing relationships that support you over time.
Who Should Attend
WITCON is for:
Women and nonbinary people working in technology or tech-adjacent roles
Tech professionals exploring leadership, growth, or career transitions
Students and early-career professionals building their path in tech
Allies committed to building more inclusive tech spaces
If you care about the future of tech — and the people shaping it — you’ll feel at home here.
Agenda
- 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Registration & Breakfast
- 9:30 am
Welcome Address: Corey O’Connor, Mayor of Pittsburgh
- 9:30 am - 10:15 am
FEATURED KEYNOTE | Elizabeth Tolia, Co-Founder & President of getWITit
To celebrate 10 Years of Unifying Tech, we’re excited to welcome Elizabeth Tolia to the WITCON stage as this year’s keynote speak
- 10:30 am - 11:15 am
Session 1 Breakouts
Beyond the Resume: Building a Career Brand That Opens Doors with Geena Greguric, Fractional Marketing Leader & Advisor Agentic AI Frameworks: Building Applications That Think, Plan and Act with Padma Melachuri, Senior Vice President at Bank of New York AI, Ethics, and Race: A Look at the New Tech Divide with Chardae Jones, Co-founder at Fair Future Initiative Founders and Funders on Narrative, Brand, and Capital Panel featuring: April Jackson, Program Strategist / Exec Coach at InnovatePgh Joce Mackay, Principal Project Manager at Westinghouse Government Services Sophie Burkholder, Senior Investment Associate at Innovation Works Nicole Young, Creator + Consultant at @withnicoleyoung + The Part-Time Brand Lindsay Fairman, Managing Partner @ BlueTree VC
- 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Session 2 Breakouts
How to Position Yourself to Be Found, Trusted, and Chosen in the AI Recommendation Era with Christina Sims, AI + Marketing Strategist at Precision Edge AI Build Smarter With Claude Code with Monica Anthony, Senior Software Engineer Beyond Survival Mode: A Blueprint for Women Leaders Panel featuring: Karlyn Gold, Chief of Staff at Main Street Autonomy and Anya Ryjkova, SVP, Legal (Tech, Cyber, Privacy, AI) at BNY
- 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lunch
Open networking and featured speaker, Karly Keating, on Heart Health with Go Red for Women.
- 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Session 3 Breakouts
Build Your Career Story: Résumé Writing Best Practices That Get You Noticed with Cindy Ciccozzi, Founder & Career Strategist at CC’s Resumes & CVs From Post-Its to Progress: How to Make Design Thinking Actually Go Somewhere with Jamie Sterling, Head of Innovation and Strategy at Low Hanging Cloud In the Trenches: Woman in Technical Roles Panel featuring: Laurie Iacono, Director of Threat Intelligence at At-Bay Security
- 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Session 4 Breakouts
Human by Design: The Human Advantage in an AI World with Rebecca Farabaugh, Founder and Human-Centered Strategist at HumanISE Is Your Business REAL? Turn Assumptions Into Evidence (A Hands-On Business Model Reality Check for Women Entrepreneurs) with Lauren DeDomenic, Partner Engagement Manager, Kelsie LaBarbera, Program Manager, AlphaLab Health, and Sara Longo, Senior Program Manager, at Innovation Works Technology That Stands Watch Panel featuring: Grace A. Coleman, President & CEO at Crisis Center North Dana Friday, Director of Legal Services and PAWs for Empowerment Program at Crisis Center North Liz Kohler Founder, CEO at Nexion Solutions Madhurima Ray, Assistant Professor at Penn State Beaver Richard L, Professor of IT and Computer Science at The Pennsylvania State University
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Happy Hour Celebrating 10 Years of getWITit
Enjoy 1 free drink ticket and snacks!
Speakers & Agenda Updates
Our schedule and speaker lineup is still growing!
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on new sessions + panels.
Experiences
📸 Dominique Murray Photography — Professional Headshots
Refresh your professional image while you’re at WITCON! Dominique Murray Photography will be on-site offering professional headshots for just $125 + tax, a special WITCON rate on a session valued at $700. Each purchased photo includes a fully retouched digital download — perfect for LinkedIn, your company bio, website, and beyond.
🔗 Linked & Inked — Permanent Jewelry
Make your WITCON experience last a little longer! Linked & Inked will be on-site offering permanent jewelry, giving you the chance to leave with a custom piece to remember the day by. Whether you’re celebrating a friendship, a milestone, or just want a little extra sparkle, stop by and get linked!
Sponsors & Partners
WITCON is made possible through the support of sponsors and community partners who believe in building a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
If your organization is interested in supporting WITCON 2026, please reach out via email to Laura Wentworth at laura.wentworth@getwitit.org.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Community Sponsors
Other Community Partners
We're excited to welcome more of our partners to meeting attendees, provide valuable information, and connect with our community. This years Community Partners include:
IMAPS
STEMUP Network
American Heart Association
Catalyst Leadership
Per Scholas
Prototype PGH
About getWITit
getWITit is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and nonbinary people in technology through community, leadership development, and access to opportunity.
WITCON is hosted by the getWITit Pittsburgh Chapter, with support from the national organization and local partners.
Accessibility & Inclusion
We are committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and accessible event.
If you have accessibility needs, questions, or concerns, please contact Ahnna Jones at ajones@pittsburghcc.com, and she can answer you're questions about the venue.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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