Michelle
Sawa
Director, Customer Experience and Advocacy at Upwork
"The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence"
"The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence"
Thu May 14 - 4:40 PM EDT/New York (See in local time)
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05/14/2026 4:40 PM
05/14/2026 05:00 PM
America/New_York
#WTGC2026
"The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence"
#WTGC2026
"The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence"
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
"The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence"
"The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence"
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Session: The Collaboration Catalyst: EQ Strategies to Transform Your Cross-Functional Influence
In the fast-paced world of technology, project success hinges on more than just technical skill—it requires bold leadership and high Emotional Intelligence (EQ), especially across diverse, cross-functional teams. This session provides a roadmap for women who are ready to move beyond tedious status updates to host deeply connected, high-impact meetings. You'll learn how to master communication strategies that ensure every attendee, regardless of role or level, feels seen, heard, and aligned on the project's goal and their personal stake (the "what's-in-it-for-me"). Discover actionable exercises and proven frameworks to transform internal and external team meetings into powerful engines of collaboration, driving projects forward with confidence and clarity. Walk away ready to integrate these practices and lead more successful, connected teams.Key Takeaways
- Facilitate high-impact meetings that align teams on goals and individual stakes
- Apply actionable EQ exercises to foster psychological safety and team connection
- Lead with confidence and ensure all voices are heard, seen, and valued across functions
- Integrate communication strategies daily to build connected teams and deliver successful projects
Bio
Michelle is a Customer Experience Leader at Upwork, the world's AI + human marketplace that's shaping the future of work.Known for her bold leadership and engaging storytelling, Michelle brings a rare blend of expertise to the stage. Her background as a former classroom teacher gives her deep insight into how humans learn and connect, while her work in product marketing, market research, and even stand-up comedy provides a unique ability to bridge diverse ideas and personalities.
She holds a master’s degree in Integrated Design, Technology, and Business from the University of Southern California, where her research centered on cross-functional collaboration strategies for high-performing, diverse teams.
