Sukanya Sagarika
Meher
Staff Engineer at Synopsys
"Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors"
"Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors"
Thu May 14 - 9:10 AM EDT/New York (See in local time)
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05/14/2026 9:10 AM
05/14/2026 09:30 AM
America/New_York
#WTGC2026
"Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors"
#WTGC2026
"Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors"
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
"Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors"
"Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors"
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Session: Women Leading from Within: Driving Cross-Functional Impact as Individual Contributors
In today’s work environments, individual contributors (ICs) often lead critical projects without formal authority. This talk will dive into how ICs can make a strong impact by influencing decisions while working with cross-functional teams and building trust without managing people directly. The role of IC involves leading ideas, addressing problems, and supporting diverse teams as they work towards a common goal. However, ICs can face challenges like unclear roles, misaligned incentives, and complex team dynamics. By developing essential skills such as clear communication, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building, ICs can lead with confidence. The session introduces practical tools and action items, including how to influence without authority, foster shared ownership, and navigate difficult conversations. Attendees will gain insights to enhance their leadership presence and drive results, regardless of title. This talk empowers professionals, especially women in technology, to embrace their leadership roles and make an impact.Key Takeaways
- Practical strategies to influence without formal authority in cross-functional environments.
- Tools to build trust, foster shared ownership, and navigate difficult conversations.
- Insights on how individual contributors can strengthen leadership presence and drive impact, including in niche and emerging technology fields.
- Inspiration for women in technology to embrace leadership from within and create results regardless of title.
Bio
Sukanya S. Meher is a Staff Engineer at Synopsys with a background in semiconductors, superconducting electronics, and emerging technologies. She has led cross-functional projects and supported global collaborations in electronic design automation (EDA). Passionate about advancing women in technology, Sukanya actively contributes to several IEEE initiatives. She currently serves as Co-Vice Chair of the IEEE Young Professionals Climate and Sustainability Taskforce and as Co-Chair of the IEEE Council on Superconductivity Young Professionals. She also volunteers with AnitaB.org and the Women in Circuits group under the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society. In recognition of her leadership and technical contributions, Sukanya was honored as one of Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024 by the IEEE Computer Society. She holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University