On May 14, the WomenTech Network community gathered in the heart of New York City for an evening of leadership conversations, meaningful networking, and forward-looking discussions on navigating change in the age of AI. Hosted by Braze as part of the Women in Tech Global Conference 2026, Women in Tech Connect NYC brought together professionals across technology, business, customer engagement, communications, and product leadership for an event centered on influence, resilience, and community.
Set against the vibrant energy of NYC, the event created an intentional space for women in tech to step away from day-to-day responsibilities and engage in authentic conversations around leadership, career growth, and the evolving realities of the modern workplace.
Exploring Leadership in a Time of Transformation
The evening’s featured panel discussion focused on one of the defining questions shaping today’s professional landscape: what does leadership look like when AI is changing how companies operate, how teams communicate, and how careers evolve?
The conversation brought together an accomplished group of leaders representing technology, communications, customer engagement, and strategy:
- Amelia Billinger, Moderator & Senior Communications Manager at Braze
- Del Patara, VP, Global Head of Business Development at Braze
- Suzanne Frush, Senior Product Manager at Braze
- Sara Perle, CEO of Perle Strategies
- Inge Konther, AVP, Customer Engagement at Sotheby’s
Together, the panelists shared candid reflections on leadership, risk-taking, navigating uncertainty, and making strategic decisions during periods of rapid transformation. The discussion explored how AI is reshaping organizations and workflows, while also emphasizing the growing importance of human-centered leadership, communication, adaptability, and trust.
Rather than focusing solely on technology itself, the conversation centered on the people leading through change, and the mindset required to navigate ambiguity while continuing to create impact.
The audience engagement during the Q&A reflected just how relevant these conversations have become for professionals across industries. Attendees raised thoughtful questions around career growth, balancing innovation with responsible leadership, and staying adaptable in increasingly fast-moving environments.
Networking, Career Conversations & Community Building
Beyond the panel discussion, Women in Tech Connect NYC also served as a valuable local touchpoint for the New York WomenTech Network community. The event blended thought leadership with genuine networking opportunities, creating space for attendees to form new relationships and strengthen existing ones.
Braze allowed participants to connect directly with the Talent Acquisition team, learn more about the company’s culture, and explore current and future career opportunities.
The post-panel networking session continued the evening’s collaborative energy, with attendees discussing leadership journeys, industry trends, emerging technologies, and the importance of building supportive professional communities.
Building Meaningful Spaces for Women in Tech
Women in Tech Connect NYC 2026 demonstrated the power of creating intentional spaces where ambitious professionals can connect not only around technology but around shared experiences, growth, and leadership.
As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine workflows, the event highlighted an important truth: the future of work will depend not only on innovation, but on the people capable of leading through uncertainty with empathy, vision, and resilience.
The Discussions That Sparked Reflection
"Everything went well! The panel was excellent and the keynote was great. The Braze team was very nice to work with" - Kelly Jura, WomenTech Network Chapter Executive
"A pleasure to be on the panel, and to be inspired by fellow speakers and attendees. This is a powerful community! I was humbled by the amount of talent, creativity and experience in the room." - Del Patara, VP, Global Head of Business Development at Braze
"It was an honor being part of this event and seeing the audience filled with women who are driven, passionate, and want to hold our place in the industry." - Melody Gonzalez, Manager, CX Operations at Braze
"What an incredible evening! I had the chance to attend the WomenTech Network event hosted at Braze HQ in New York, and it was truly inspiring.
A huge thank you to Braze for opening their doors and creating such a welcoming space, and to the Women in Tech Network for bringing together such an amazing community of women in technology. Events like this remind me why connection and community matter so much, especially when you’re building your path in a new city. Grateful for the conversations, the energy, and the new connections made." - Ahsen Olgun Alakus, Senior Software Engineer
"Reflecting on the final days of the Women in Tech Global Conference 2026 has left me deeply inspired. Moving from the virtual sessions to the in-person flagship networking event in New York City - hearing women leaders share how they navigated thick and thin to build their success stories didn't just inspire me, it delivered a dose of reality that no textbook can replicate.
I would like to thank Braze for being an incredible host and creating such a vibrant space for this community to connect. Heartfelt gratitude to Anna Radulovski and the WomenTech Network for organizing a hybrid experience that felt genuinely calibrating.
I am walking away with a renewed sense of confidence, completely grounded in my technical vision and deeply energized for the future of human-AI collaboration." - Sai Arpitha Ramesh, Senior System Engineer at Infosys
"Grateful to have attended the WomenTech Network NYC event hosted by Braze in New York. It was such an inspiring and empowering experience to be surrounded by so many talented women, leaders, and professionals in technology. The conversations, energy, and sense of community throughout the event truly reminded me how powerful it is when people come together to share knowledge, support one another, and encourage growth." - Shilpa Koley, Business Analyst
"Still thinking about the amazing conversations and energy from WomenTech Connect NYC hosted at Braze HQ. One of the best parts of the evening was hearing women openly talk about leadership, career growth, AI, and navigating uncertainty in tech.
A huge thank you to Braze and WomenTech Network for creating such a welcoming and empowering space for women in tech to connect, learn, and support each other." - Bhavya Choudhary, Business Analyst at Airlift USA
A heartfelt thank you to Braze for hosting such a thoughtful and impactful evening and for supporting opportunities that bring together the local women in tech community in meaningful ways.
A special thank you also goes to our incredible WomenTech Network Executive Leader, Kelly Jura, whose leadership, dedication, and support helped make the NYC Connect event such a success.
Explore career opportunities at Braze here.