Program
03 - 07 May 2026
Optica Global Headquarters
Washington,
We have an engaging and informative program featuring thought leaders in optics and photonics. The Career Accelerator begins on Sunday 03 May 2026 and concludes on Thursday 07 May 2026. To learn more about the topics and speakers featured each day, please click on the tabs below.
Speakers and timing are subject to change.
Arrival Day
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16:00 |
Hotel Check-In |
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17:30 – 19:30 |
Opening Reception and Icebreaker, Optica HQ 6th Floor |
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08:00 – 09:00 |
Breakfast, Optica HQ |
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Programming |
Eberly Hall |
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09:00 – 09:15
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Welcome Remarks Mitchell Harjo Program Manager, Optica, USA Tom Hausken Senior Science Advisor, Optica, USA |
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09:15 – 11:00
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Sustainable Networking for Scientists and Engineers Christina Willis Director of Government Affairs & Senior Optical Scientist, Infleqtion, USA Sustainability applied to networking is about treating professional support and assistance like a resource and creating more of it than you take. This workshop introduces how to use sustainable networking to create mutually beneficial professional relationships and to set and accomplish career goals. Through individual and group activities, participants will walk away with personalized goals and a practical action plan for how to incorporate sustainable networking into their professional lives. |
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11:00 – 11:15 |
Break |
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11:15 – 12:15
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Completing Your Projects on Time and on Budget for Engineering, R&D, and Technology Teams Christopher R. DeVany Founder & President, Pinnacle Performance Improvement Worldwide, USA Engineering, R&D, and technology teams are under constant pressure to deliver complex projects faster, smarter, and with tighter financial discipline—without compromising innovation, quality, or strategic impact. This practical 60-minute presentation will show attendees how to keep projects moving on schedule and on budget by improving planning, decision-making, cross-functional coordination, risk management, and accountability at every stage of execution. Participants will leave with actionable strategies they can apply immediately to reduce delays, control costs, strengthen team performance, and deliver results with greater confidence. |
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12:15 - 14:15 |
Lunch & WORKinOPTICS, Optica HQ WORKinOPTICS Career Center Resume & LinkedIn Reviews Join the WORKinOPTICS Career Center for 1:1 resume & LinkedIn reviews provided by Tell Them A Story Resume Writing Services. |
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14:15 - 15:15 |
From Resume Review to Final Offer: Understanding HR Hiring and Negotiation Grace Lee Chief People Officer, Coherent Corp, USA Inside HR and the Hiring: Get an insider's look at the hiring journey, from resume submission to the coveted job offer. Gain valuable insights on optimizing your resume for attention, acing interviews with do's and don'ts, and more. Explore the pivotal role HR plays in shaping corporate culture and providing valuable resources to staff. |
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15:15 - 15:30 |
Break |
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15:30 – 16:30 |
The Role of the Product Manager Rebecca Charboneau Technology Development Engineer, Edmund Optics, USA Dive into the multifaceted role of a Product Manager within the corporate structure. Explore the essential skills and attributes required, uncover exciting career prospects, and understand the pivotal role Product Managers play in driving innovation, collaborating with R&D, and bridging the gap between sales/marketing and customer needs. |
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16:30 - 17:00 |
Daily Wrap-Up and Announcements |
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17:00 – 18:30 |
Dinner, Optica HQ |
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18:30 – 21:30 |
Monuments by Moonlight Tour When the sun goes down, Washington Turns into a different city and Old Town Trolley Tours knows just the right way to show off the Capital City at night! Enjoy a night of moonlight merriment aboard Old Town Trolley Tours. Pickup Location: Optica HQ (P Street entrance, backside of the office) Drop-off Location: The Royal Sonesta Hotel |
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08:00 - 09:00 |
Breakfast, Optica HQ |
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Programming |
Eberly Hall |
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09:00 - 09:15 |
Introduction of the Day Tom Hausken Senior Science Advisor, Optica, USA |
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09:15 – 10:15 |
The Role of the Sales Professional in Photonics: Bridging Technology and Solutions Heidi Westbrook Sr. Client Executive, 1Finity, a Fujitsu company, USA Discover the key skills and attributes that companies prioritize when hiring for sales positions. Explore why young scientists and engineers should be interested in sales, leveraging their technical knowledge to bridge gaps and drive innovation. Uncover how sales seamlessly integrates with other company functions, such as marketing, product development, and research and development, to maximize organizational success. |
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What is Corporate Strategy and Why is it Important? Keeley Hurley Chief of Staff, Applied Energetics Inc, USA Explore the essence of corporate strategy and its pivotal role in business success. Discover how technology companies formulate and implement their tech development strategies and gain insights on how to use this framework for your next career move. |
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11:15 – 11:45 |
Break |
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11:45 – 12:45
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The Language of Business: Managerial Reporting and Accounting for Decision Making Part #1 George Bayz Retired Vice President & General Manager, Synopsys, USA The art of accounting. We will discuss budgeting, explore the art of accounting, visit the stock market, and dive into why this is something all scientists in industry should understand. |
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12:45 – 14:15 |
Lunch & WORKinOPTICS, Optica HQ WORKinOPTICS Career Center Resume & LinkedIn Reviews Join the WORKinOPTICS Career Center for 1:1 resume & LinkedIn reviews provided by Tell Them A Story Resume Writing Services. |
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14:15 – 15:15 |
The Language of Business: Managerial Reporting and Accounting for Decision Making Part #2 George Bayz Retired Vice President & General Manager, Synopsys, USA More fun with accounting! |
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15:15 – 16:15
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Patents and Intellectual Property 101 Adam R. Weeks Senior Managing Counsel, Corning, USA Technology companies and institutions at all stages face a variety of intellectual property issues. Addressing these issues well can significantly increase value for the intellectual property owner, while missteps can have the opposite result. We will introduce important forms of intellectual property, including patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, and discuss the role each plays in an intellectual property portfolio. |
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16:15 – 16:45 |
Break |
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16:45 – 17:45
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From Research to Real World Impact: An Entrepreneur’s Journey Through Innovation and Startups Gisele Bennett Co-Founder, MEPSS, LLC, USA Join Gisele Bennett, Optica President and founding member of MEPSS LLC and leader in electro-optics research, as she shares insights from her career spanning academia, applied research, and entrepreneurship. Learn how to turn technical ideas into impactful solutions and navigate the startup ecosystem. |
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17:45 – 18:00 |
Daily Wrap-Up and Announcements |
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18:00 – 19:30 |
Dinner, Optica HQ |
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08:00 – 09:00 |
Breakfast, Optica HQ |
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Programming |
Eberly Hall |
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09:00 – 09:15
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Introduction of the Day Tom Hausken Senior Science Advisor, Optica, USA |
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09:15 – 10:15 |
Working Better Together: Building Inclusive, High-Performing Teams in STEM Workplaces Jessica Kibblewhite Senior Manager of Global Development, Thorlabs, USA Team success doesn’t happen by chance; it’s shaped by intentional communication, awareness of group dynamics, and a commitment to inclusion. In this session, Jessica Kibblewhite, Senior Manager of Global Development at Thorlabs, draws on her expertise in learning behaviors, professional coaching, and data-driven organizational change to help early-career professionals understand what makes teams thrive. |
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10:15 – 11:15 |
Innovation and Product Development Matthew Weed Vice President, Product, Luminar Technologies, USA Understanding "value proposition" may seem simple, but continual focus on this empathetic idea is essential to successful research and products alike. From fundamental research through customer deployment, join in this exploration of how to identify pain points, enablers, and disruptors, as well as how to position each to generate market pull. |
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11:15 – 11:45 |
Break |
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11:45 – 12:45 |
Scientific Communication: From Career Advancement to Educational Outreach Cory Boone Technical Content Strategist, Zygo, USA Scientific communication is a vital skill that supports both career advancement and effective educational outreach. This session will explore how to clearly and compellingly communicate complex scientific ideas to a variety of audiences, from technical peers to the general public. We will also touch on the role of marketing principles in shaping and amplifying scientific messaging, helping to increase visibility, engagement, and impact. Attendees will gain insight into best practices for presenting research, tailoring messages for different audiences, and leveraging communication as a tool to advance their careers and broaden the reach of their work. |
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12:45 – 14:15 |
Lunch & WORKinOPTICS, Optica HQ WORKinOPTICS Career Center Resume & LinkedIn Reviews Join the WORKinOPTICS Career Center for 1:1 resume & LinkedIn reviews provided by Tell Them A Story Resume Writing Services. |
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14:15 – 15:15 |
Beyond Equations: The Roadmap to Business Success for STEM Professionals Simin Cai President and CEO, Go!Foton, USA Transitioning from an academic background to business management requires more than technical expertise—it demands a mastery of problem-solving, leadership, and communication. This session explores how STEM professionals can leverage their analytical mindset to excel in management roles while developing essential business skills. Even for those STEM professionals who choose to remain within the academic environment, the ability to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen is still essential for success in any career when they must navigate through grant proposals, funding opportunities, team management and cross-disciplinary collaborations. |
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15:15 – 16:15 |
Career Reflections: Insights for Early Career Success in Industry Christian Reimer Co-Founder and Chief Architect, HyperLight Corp, USA As the Career Accelerator comes to a close, it’s time to think about how you’ll apply what you’ve learned to the next steps in your career. Do you want to work in industry? How will it feel to transition from academia to a new role? 2020 Optica Ambassador Christian Reimer will share his journey of starting and growing in his career, offering insights to help you take this experience and move forward with confidence. |
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16:15 – 16:30 |
Closing Remarks Mitchell Harjo Program Manager, Optica, USA Tom Hausken Senior Science Advisor, Optica, USA |
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16:30 – 18:00 |
Break |
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18:00 – 20:00 |
Closing Reception, Optica HQ 6th Floor |
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08:00 – 11:00 |
Hotel Check-Out |
