Museum’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement Alexis Marion to Posthumously Receive the Intrepid Unstoppable Woman Leadership Award
NEW YORK (November 13, 2024) – On Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Intrepid Museum will host its third annual Unstoppable Women—a fundraising event designed to inspire, engage and connect the next generation of STEM pioneers. This year’s event will focus on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies that are revolutionizing industries. Guests will enjoy cocktails and a seated dinner under Enterprise, NASA’s prototype orbiter, in the Museum’s iconic Space Shuttle Pavilion, while hearing from leading women in technology.
A distinguished panel of women at the forefront of AI will share their insights, career journeys and leadership strategies. Panelists include Rachana Kumar, chief technology officer at Etsy; Julie Samuels, president and CEO of Tech:NYC; and Dr. Manuela Veloso, head of AI Research at JP Morgan Chase, AI Research, Herbert A. Simon University professor emerita, Carnegie Mellon University. The discussion will be moderated by Natasha Verma, FOX 5 NY news anchor and founder of the Verma Foundation.
“Unstoppable Women is a cornerstone of our efforts to empower the next generation of women leaders,” said Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of the Intrepid Museum. “This year’s panel brings together women who have not only achieved greatness in their fields but have also demonstrated the power of resilience and innovation. It’s an honor to gather these incredible leaders for an event that promises to be both inspiring and impactful.”
In addition to celebrating innovation and leadership in technology, the Intrepid Museum will posthumously honor Alexis Marion, the Museum’s longtime vice president of Institutional Advancement and creator of the Unstoppable Women event, with the Intrepid Unstoppable Woman Leadership Award. A beloved colleague and visionary, Alexis was passionate about empowering future generations and played an instrumental role in shaping this event as a platform to support the Museum’s educational programs. Her dedication and spirit will be celebrated during the evening. She embodied what it meant to be an "unstoppable woman” and from this year on, the award will carry her name as the Alexis Marion Unstoppable Woman Leadership Award, ensuring her legacy of resilience and inspiration lives on.
“As Etsy’s Chief Technology Officer, I’m proud to lead a team that leverages cutting-edge technology to create economic empowerment opportunities for Etsy’s vibrant, global community of small businesses. Eighty percent of the sellers on Etsy identify as women, and we know how important it is that our workforce reflects our user base and the entrepreneurs we support. I’m honored to participate in Unstoppable Women at the Intrepid Museum, and to share my own journey to help inspire more women to pursue impactful, rewarding careers in STEM,” said Rachana Kumar, Etsy chief technology officer.
Julie Samuels, president and CEO of Tech:NYC said, “As we move forward in a world where AI is omnipresent, we must ensure that everyone is able to benefit from its advances — especially women, who for too long have been underrepresented in tech. Empowering young women and helping them become the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators is a key part of Tech:NYC’s mission. I am honored to be among the Intrepid Museum's unstoppable women leading the way in AI and emerging technologies.”
The evening will begin with a networking cocktail reception at 6pm, followed by a seated dinner and panel discussion at 7pm. To celebrate Giving Tuesday, two tables will feature alumnae from Techs of Tomorrow, a nationwide initiative dedicated to tackling the technician shortage impacting various regions across the country, and proceeds from the night will support the Museum's educational programs.
Attendees and participants represent a range of industries, including finance and venture capital, aerospace, tech and more. Purchase ticket packages or individual tickets here. Young professionals under 45 can enjoy discounted tickets.
To learn more about this year’s panelists and event, visit here.
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