In this talk I’ll share my career story and show how the five simple questions we ask when picking a new material—what problem we’re solving, what limits we have, what trade‑offs we can accept, how things will change over time, and who else is affected—can guide the choices we make both personally and professionally Meet Kristen Kristen Eckart is a Process Engineering Manager at Lockheed Martin, where she leads a cross-functional team that drives surface-mount technology, chem-film processes, and solid-rocket-motor development while delivering measurable efficiency and cost-saving gains. With > 20 years of technology leadership, she previously accelerated an aircraft program at LM—delivering product 12 months early and raising operational efficiency by 40 % in her first 6 months. At IP.com, she partnered with CEOs and investors to craft AI-powered patent-portfolio strategies. At Corning, as a Senior Technology Manager/Development Scientist, she pioneered ion-exchange technologies, earned multiple patents, built a competitive-intelligence team for a $1 B product line, and scaled Corning® Gorilla® Glass from pilot to full-scale production in Japan. A lifelong STEM champion who mentors students from elementary school through college panels, Kristen combines deep scientific expertise with proven program leadership and a passion for advancing women in technology. Attendees will leave her keynote inspired by real-world examples of cross-industry innovation, actionable strategies for boosting efficiency, and a compelling vision for women’s leadership in advanced manufacturing.

Electronics manufacturing often requires teams to make decisions quickly in an environment where supply availability, lead times, production demands, and engineering challenges can change from one day to the next. This presentation explores practical approaches to leading people and emerging AI tools in fast-moving supply chain and manufacturing environments. Drawing on real-world experiences, the discussion will examine how leaders can make rapid decisions, manage pressure, incorporate AI agents into everyday workflows, and build organizational structures that remain adaptable as operations grow and evolve. Meet Leyla Leyla Sudbury is CEO of BSU Electronics, a contract manufacturer based in Austin, Texas specializing in printed circuit board assemblies, cabling, harnesses, and box builds. She took over as CEO after acquiring the company with the support of a small group of investors. An industrial engineer by training, she began her career at the automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover, and was an operations consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.

The CHIPS and Science Act is not only revitalizing U.S. semiconductor production; it is redefining long‑term industry resilience. This keynote frames quantum computing as a strategic pillar within that national effort, emphasizing how quantum‑centric supercomputing architectures will rely on robust domestic manufacturing pipelines for cryogenic control electronics, high‑density interposers, photonic interconnects, and precision packaging. Attendees will gain insight into how quantum hardware roadmaps intersect with current electronics expertise, and how the manufacturing community can shape the next era of compute by adapting its tools, materials, and reliability frameworks for quantum‑class devices. Meet Hanhee Dr. Hanhee Paik leads IBM’s Quantum Algorithm Centers, driving global research partnerships that advance quantum algorithms and applications across premier institutions. Formerly Head of IBM Quantum Japan, she established the organization’s mission around quantum‑centric supercomputing. A physicist trained at Maryland and Yale, she helped pioneer superconducting qubit architectures and led development of IBM’s first 16‑qubit systems. She later served as Chief of Staff to IBM Quantum’s VP Jay Gambetta (currently the Director of IBM Research) and built large‑scale international collaborations. An APS Fellow, Paik is recognized for innovations that accelerated the commercialization and scientific progress of superconducting quantum computing.