Empower, Diversify, Include: The Quantum Innovation Toolbox
We’re thrilled to introduce this year’s Annual Symposium: “Empower, Diversify, Include: The Quantum Innovation Toolbox”! 🚀✨
Join us for our largest community building event aimed at minorities and allies in the quantum sector. The day will be packed with insightful lectures, engaging workshops, and a business market focusing on both Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Quantum. Plus, we’ve got you covered with lunch and snacks! 🍽️🥪
📅 Date: 23/04
🕒 Time: 09:00 – 17:00 + drinks
📍 Location: Bibliotheek Neude (Utrecht)
🔍 What to Expect:
- Insightful talks from industry leaders on the importance of diversity in quantum development.
- Panel discussions on strategies for creating inclusive environments and expanding opportunities in the quantum space as well as discussions on topical issues in quantum.
- Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals and build meaningful relationships.
- Workshops and breakout sessions aimed at addressing challenges and promoting collaboration on topics such as neurodiversity, burnout prevention, storytelling and starting a start-up.
- Opportunity to connect with companies working in the quantum sector at the business market.
This event is not just about learning; it’s a fantastic opportunity to network and find a like-minded community in Quantum. And the best part? It’s FREE!
Register now!
Spaces are limited, so be sure to follow us on our social media for more updates and to secure your spot! 🌈🔬💡
Programme
Moderator of the Day: Nazima Ramdin
Nazima is a seasoned communication and D&I expert with over three decades of experience in various government ministries. She currently leads the Communication Team at Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties. Nazima’s multicultural background – Hindustan/Indian origin, raised in the Netherlands, and extensive work with ministers and entrepreneurs – equips her with a unique ability to connect with diverse audiences. A proud mother of two, she brings a wealth of insights and empathy to her work.
Plenary 1: Inspirational Talk with Ingrid Tappin
Join us at the Annual Symposium for an insightful interview session with the remarkable Ingrid Tappin, Founder & CEO of Diverse Leaders in Tech, powered by Techleap, the pioneering intersectional tech community in the Netherlands. Ingrid is on a mission to set the standard for DEI Excellence in European tech, leveraging her diverse background and extensive experience to drive positive change.
Learn from Ingrid’s unique journey, from her multicultural upbringing to her dynamic career spanning entrepreneurship, leadership roles, and advocacy for DEI in the tech industry. From running her own culture design agency to co-founding a SaaS startup and serving as a senior manager at Accenture’s Talent & Organization practice, Ingrid has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of DEI in driving team performance, business success, and societal impact.
Ingrid’s personal experiences as the daughter of a Bajan psychiatrist and Surinamese psychologist, combined with raising two teenage daughters (one of whom is autistic), reinforce her conviction that empathy, compassion, and inclusion are vital for the future of technology and society.
Plenary 2: Faster, Transformative, Disruptive… Why not Sustainable and Inclusive?
Join us for a captivating plenary session where Alexandra de Castro will help us explore the transformative potential of quantum computing in shaping a sustainable future!
In this session, we’ll delve into how quantum computing is rapidly emerging as the next generation of supercomputers, promising efficient solutions to NP-hard problems that were once inaccessible to classical computing. But beyond its performance benefits, we’ll also examine the energy and sustainability advantage that quantum technologies offer.
Join us as we discuss:
✅ How quantum computing enhances performance while reducing energy requirements and carbon emissions
✅ Progress in understanding the computational footprint of quantum technologies, pioneered by experts like Alexia Auffèves and the Quantum Energy Initiative
✅ Exploring the role of quantum computing in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering inclusion
In this workshop, neurodiversity advocate and HR specialist Luisa Liesenberg (MVP Factory, Berlin, DE) will guide us in exploring and supporting neurodiversity on the work floor. Together, we will share and learn from our experiences, develop practical strategies, and connect with other neurodiverse members (and neurotypical allies) of the WIQD community.
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments, burnout has become a prevalent issue affecting individuals across various industries. The constant pressure to perform, meet deadlines, and maintain work-life balance can lead to exhaustion, decreased productivity, and even long-term health problems. However, burnout is not inevitable, and there are proactive steps individuals and organizations can take to prevent it.
Join us for “Breaking the Burnout Cycle: A Workshop on Prevention and Workplace Well-being,” where we will explore strategies and techniques to identify, prevent, and overcome burnout in the workplace. This interactive workshop is designed for professionals at all levels who are committed to fostering a culture of well-being and resilience within their organizations.
Led by Clémence Mondot from Psymobil, this workshop promises to be insightful, practical, and empowering. Don’t miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the tools needed to thrive in today’s demanding work landscape!
We are all on a journey, constantly transforming from one condition to another! Each transformation carries its own story. In this workshop, you undergo a journey. Using basic storytelling techniques you craft a short story about your journey!
You are guided to experience your emotions with self-compassion. We practice to connect with our stories. Together we let the image of our experience freely flow on paper with forms and colors.
With a Ph.D. in medical physics and extensive research experience in prestigious Dutch academic hospitals, Ghazaleh Ghobadi brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and storytelling to our symposium. Her journey from Iran to the Netherlands ignited a passion for bridging connections through stories, leading to a bold career shift into professional storytelling. Now, Ghazaleh is dedicated to making complex concepts accessible and engaging through the art of storytelling. Believing in the power of collective efforts for change, Ghazaleh fearlessly addresses political and social issues in her narratives, shedding light on injustices that demand attention. She advocates for the integration of art, mindfulness, and storytelling into workplaces to foster well-being and personal growth.
Nazima Ramdin
Nazima is a seasoned communication and D&I expert with over three decades of experience in various government ministries. She currently leads the Communication Team at Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties. Nazima’s multicultural background – Hindustan/Indian origin, raised in the Netherlands, and extensive work with ministers and entrepreneurs – equips her with a unique ability to connect with diverse audiences. A proud mother of two, she brings a wealth of insights and empathy to her work.
Delphine Brousse
Delphine is an accomplished engineer with a background in change phase materials for optical storage and III-V photonic crystals. Delphine’s journey led her to TNO/QuTech, where she currently serves as the Engineering Lead of the Qubit Research Division and tech lead of the TNO portfolio Quantum Devices and Materials. With expertise in quantum devices and materials, Delphine is driving innovation and advancement in the field.
Romana Schirhagl
Romana is a dynamic researcher and entrepreneur with a focus on biomedical applications of NV centers in diamonds. As the founder of the startup company QT Sense, Romana is at the forefront of innovation in her field. Balancing her professional achievements with the joys of motherhood to four children, she shows dedication and passion in both her personal and professional life.
Ingrid Romijn
Ingrid is the co-founder and CEO of Q*BIRD B.V., a startup from QuTech dedicated to advancing the quantum internet. From contributing to the Dutch National Agenda for Quantum Technology to her role as program manager for the National Quantum Network (CAT-2) program, Ingrid is a driving force in shaping the future of quantum technology.
Jules van Oven
Jules is a Co-founder & CTO at Qblox, pioneering scalable control technology for quantum computers. With a background in electronics development at QuTech and as Lead Engineer at Innoseis, Jules has a proven track record of bringing innovative technology from concept to commercialization. His expertise and vision continue to drive advancements in quantum computing.
