Featured Speaker(s)

Bonnie Ross, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft and Head of 343 Industries, Halo
Bonnie is responsible for defining the vision and leading the Halo franchise. In 2007, she founded 343 Industries, an entertainment studio committed to fostering the growth and expansion of the Halo franchise, as well as driving innovation across Microsoft platforms. Ross is passionate about bringing together art and technology to transform how people experience entertainment. Bonnie is also deeply involved in promoting efforts to drive diversity across the games industry and generating interest among women and children in the pursuit of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Her commitment to building diverse stories and characters has helped 343 Industries create immersive, blockbuster sci-fi entertainment experiences within the Halo universe. Halo has created a legion of fans with $6 billion in worldwide sales to date that has transcended video games and grown into a global phenomenon.

Over the last thirteen years, Bonnie has pushed to broaden franchise reach and define Halo as a leader in transmedia across the entire entertainment industry, including the Halo series of video games, the upcoming Halo television series by SHOWTIME, and live-action series. In addition, 12 of 17 Halo novels have been named to the New York Times Best Sellers list and Halo consumer products have generated over $1.7 billion in consumer spend. Bonnie brings over 21 years of experience in the game industry, beginning her gaming career as a producer on PC sports games.

Bonnie was named the 2019 inductee of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, and has been named one of Fortune's most powerful women in gaming. Additionally, Ross has been a key part of The Ad Council's �"She Can STEM” campaign.

Deb Huntting, VP, Planning & Product Technology, lululemon
Since joining the company in 2018, Deb has lead teams supporting product design, merchandising, direct procurement/sourcing and distribution. Much of her work has driven a continued transformation from a siloed, application-centric structure to an organizational model that provides world class support and effectively delivers foundational and transformational solutions to the business.

Before joining lululemon, Deb spent 16 years with Nordstrom providing leadership to the brand's Corporate Systems, International Technology, Information Security, Merchandising, Product & Planning teams. In the planning space, her leadership drove a machine learning pilot that increased forecasting accuracy, and a machine learning initiative that assists in demand and returns forecasting. Her teams also modernized the technology stack and implemented 3D design software.

Deb is passionate about driving business value, while making the best technical choices for sustainable, scalable and high-performing solutions. She achieves this through building great teams and partnerships across the organization.

Charu Jain, Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Innovation, Alaska Airlines
Charu serves as a change leader driving strategy and execution for both employee and guest-facing innovation along with taking Alaska Air Group to the next level with merchandising their products and services and managing the ever-evolving distribution channels. In collaboration with the commercial team, operating divisions and technology teams, Charu oversees the implementation of technology and processes that drive forward momentum around growing revenues, defining guest interaction, employee experience and innovation. Charu joined Alaska Airlines in 2017 as vice president information technology services and chief information officer, where she led the technology integration of Virgin America and a highly engaged organization with more than 500 information technology professionals fueled to create an airline people love by connecting people through technology.

Prior to joining Alaska Airlines in 2017, Charu held roles at United Airlines and worked across industries at IBM and PWC as a thought partner and change leader. Charu has successfully led large-scale transformations including multiple M&A efforts and delivered integrated, scalable technology solutions that enable fast-growth expansion, dramatic business efficiencies, and lasting improvements in market competitiveness, service delivery and customer satisfaction.With a passion for developing STEM talent, Charu serves on the University of Washington Foster School of Business Technology Advisory Board and the YearUp Puget Sound Board of Directors.

Chris Putur, Executive Vice President, Technology & Operations, REI
Chris  serves as REI's executive vice president of technology and operations. She joined the co-op in October 2017 as REI's chief information officer and was promoted to her current role in 2019. Chris oversees REI's information technology, information security, supply chain, information technology risk and compliance, and continuous improvement teams.

Before joining REI, she served as chief information officer for Coach, where she led the creation of a multi-year investment plan to transform Coach's core business processes and technical platforms from aged, geographically diverse solutions, to a global, simplified, standardized, scalable foundation. Prior to that, she was CIO for Staples, where she was responsible for global technology strategy and execution. Chris spent the first 15 years of her career at Digital Equipment Corporation and participated in the merger with Compaq.

Jyoti Shukla, Vice President, User Experience, Nordstrom Inc.
Jyoti was named vice president of user experience in September 2017. She and her team of designers, researchers, and writers support Nordstrom's digital platforms: web, mobile, and in-store. Jyoti joined Nordstrom in August, 2014 as a senior manager of UX Design. In March 2016, she assumed the role of director of user experience. In October 2016, Jyoti was promoted to senior director of user experience where she served before receiving her current role. Prior to Nordstrom, Jyoti held marketing, public relations and technology positions at several companies, including Microsoft and Starbucks.

Jyoti is passionate about user experience and loves to support revolutionary digital products and solutions for customers. She is focused on driving technology innovation, mobile product management, and web experiences that change the landscape of customer experiences.

Jyoti graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration and Management.

MODERATOR:
Alisia Genzler, President and Chief Client Officer, Randstad Technologies

Alisia oversees all Randstad Technologies sales teams, manages sales performance across strategic, major, and emerging account segments. With over two decades of industry experience Alisia brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning and execution. Serving in many key roles throughout the organization, Alisia's entrepreneurial drive and strong business acumen have led to increased revenues, gross profit growth and improved ROI. Along with a proven track record of building high performing teams, she is recognized for conceptualizing many key sales and operational innovations within Randstad Technologies that have streamlined efficiencies and positioned the organization as a leader in the industry.

Alisia started her career with SFN Group as an Account Executive and was promoted into a regional management position in 2006. After the acquisition of Technisource she held many key leadership roles within the organization, and continued her success as a strategic leader when the company integrated with Randstad Technologies. Offices under Alisia's leadership have excelled; repeatedly winning quarterly and annual production awards. Alisia has garnered the Pinnacle Award, the SFN Group's highest performance recognition award. Alisia graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Management Services. She is also a member of several industry associations and serves as an advocate and spokesperson for Randstad Technologies championing issues including diversity and inclusion, STEM programs for the next generation and empowering women in technology.