The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation by more than five years, impacting our personal and professional lives. Remote working has become the norm, while technologies continue to make our lives easier, from shopping and banking to keeping our homes clean and safe. Now that we're in a new year, which technologies do you think will become mainstream? In this session, industry experts will cover a range of trends and technologies that will further impact our lives, positively -- from drones and robots to other innovative solutions.

Moderator:
Parna Sarkar-Basu, Founder, Brand and Buzz Marketing, LLC A tech evangelist, Parna Sarkar-Basu serves as a strategic advisor to tech pioneers and founders, and helps them launch and reinvent companies. A brand architect, Parna designs powerful programs to build and boost brands - corporate and individual. She also spotlights entrepreneurs and innovators and elevates them to industry thought leaders. Her expertise includes changing industry perception, building market relevance, corporate (re)-positioning and new market entry as well as supporting fund raising activities.

The recipient of multiple awards, Parna has propelled a variety of tech companies into innovation leaders in highly competitive markets - artificial intelligence and enterprise software to robots and consulting services. A voice for gender inclusivity and a STEM advocate, Parna builds and supports programs to inspire women in technology and future innovators. She was profiled in SEEMA for her work in promoting diversity and recognized for her contribution to STEM programs. Parna is the co-chair of MassTLC's professional women's community and serves on the board of WITI (Women in Technology International) and American Marketing Association, Boston.

Speakers:

Julie Angus, CEO and Cofounder, Open Ocean Robotics

Julie is the CEO and cofounder of Open Ocean Robotics, a marine robotics and data analytics company. She is a bestselling author, scientist and explorer who received National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year award when she became the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland.

Julie has written three books, has a graduate degree in microbiology and is a serial entrepreneur who cofounded two previous ocean-focused businesses. Julie is a director on NATO's Maritime Unmanned System Initiative Innovation Advisory board and a board member for the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST).

Julie has an honorary degree from McMaster University and is a Royal Canadian Geographic Society Fellow. In 2020 she was awarded Innovator of the Year by BC Business and in 2021 she was recognized as Industry Icon by the BC Cleantech Industry.

Jessica Yip, COO & co-founder, A&K Robotics

Jessica Yip is COO & co-founder of A&K Robotics, which develops self-driving technology and mobile platforms to increase accessibility and mobility of people and goods, starting in airports. She has 10+ years experience in business operations across technology, real estate and hospitality. She actively promotes STEM education for youth and women with local non-profits and was named Most Influential Women in Tech by BC Business Magazine. Jessica holds a degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.