%20(750%20x%20150%20px).png?width=400&height=80&name=VF%20Stanford%20Energy%20StorageX%20Initiative%20Logo%20Lockup%20(750%20x%20250%20px)%20(750%20x%20150%20px).png "VF Stanford Energy StorageX Initiative Logo Lockup (750 x 250 px) (750 x 150 px)")
WOMEN IN BATTERIES CONFERENCE JULY 30-31, 2025 STANFORD UNIVERSITY
AGENDA
Check back periodically as agenda and speakers will continue to be updated through July 2025.
- July 29
- July 30
- July 31
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5:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT
Welcome Reception and Lab Tours
ExponentWelcome Remarks: Ellen Donovan, VP Business Development, ExponentExponent
149 Commonwealth Dr
Menlo Park, CA 94025'Join us for the kickoff of the 2025 Women in Batteries Conference at Exponent, & Reception, where you’ll enjoy a a welcome reception and the opportunity to tour Exponent's Battery Lab.
Dress is business casual.
An ID and NDA will be required for all lab tours.
Transportation to/from the event is on the attendee's own.
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7:30 PM PT
Conclude
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9 AM - 10 AM PT
Registration
Grand Bay Hotel Lobby
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10 AM PT
Transportation Service for Lab Tours
Grand Bay Hotel
Shuttle transportation is required for those wishing to participate in lab tours.
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11:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Industry Lab Tours
Join us for lab tours at some of the top battery companies in the Bay Area.
- 11 AM - 1 PM PT: Lyten (Lunch Provided)
- 2 PM - 4 PM PT: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
An ID (Real ID, Passport or Federal Government ID) is required for all tours.
A NDA will be required for tours at Lyten.
Dress is business casual. Closed-toe shoes required.
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6:15 PM PT
Transportation Service to Welcome Gala
Grand Bay HotelTransportation to the evening's reception & dinner will be provided, departing from the Grand Bay Hotel.
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6:30 PM - 10:00 PM PT
Welcome Gala
Hiller Aviation Museum
Keynote Speaker: Alycia Gilde, Leader in Partnerships for Advanced Technology & Energy SolutionsJoin us for an elegant Evening Gala, where you’ll enjoy a gourmet meal alongside industry leaders and peers in a refined setting. The evening will feature an inspiring keynote address from a distinguished speaker and include networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections and collaboration.
Dress is cocktail/ semi-formal.
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10:00 PM PT
Conclude
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7:30 AM PT - 8:30 AM PT
Shuttle Service
Grand Bay Hotel
Shuttle service will be provided for those wishing to depart from Grand Bay Hotel. Shuttle service will run every 15-20 minutes.
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8:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET
Registration & Breakfast
Stanford University Redwood City Campus | Cardinal Hall
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8:30 AM - 5 PM PT
Professional Headshots
Stanford University Redwood City Campus | Cardinal Hall
Sponsored by Re:Build Battery Solutions
Headshot opportunities will be available during meal and networking breaks.
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9:30 AM PT
Opening Remarks
Stanford University Redwood City Campus | Cardinal Hall
Volta Foundation, Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy's StorageX Initiative, Stanford Battery Club, & NAATBatt
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10:00 AM PT
Opening Keynote
Dr. Ilenia Battiato, Associate Professor of Energy Science and Engineering, Stanford University
BESS will play a central role in powering AI while enabling the ongoing decarbonization of electricity networks. Yet, safety issues related to thermal runaway (TR) remain a major concern as the scale of battery storage increases together with the potential impact of disastrous TR events. In this talk, we will discuss some of the main challenges in modeling and predicting TR, as well as how novel technologies in symbolic and numeric computing can help us improve model predictivity and accuracy to aid optimization and design across different chemistries and operating conditions. -
10:30 AM PT
Break & Networking
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11:00 AM PT
Female Founders Shaping the Battery & Tech Industry
Panelists:
- Jill Pestana, Founder & CEO, Pestana Solutions
- Paige Johnson, Founder & CEO, Ten-Nine Technologies
- Erika Guerrero, Founder, Electric Goddess
- Giselle Cheung, CEO & Co-Founder, PowerNap Energy
- Carol Hirschmugl, Founder & CEO, COnovate, Inc.
Women-led startups and enterprises are making a profound impact on the battery and technology industries, driving innovation, sustainability, and business success. This session highlights the journeys of female founders who are breaking barriers, securing funding, and leading cutting-edge advancements in energy storage and tech. From navigating investment challenges to building strong teams and scaling operations, our panel of trailblazing women will share insights, lessons learned, and strategies for fostering diversity in the industry. Join us for an inspiring discussion on leadership, resilience, and the future of women in battery technology and beyond.
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12:00 PM PT
Lunch & Networking
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1:00 PM PT
Beyond the Lab: The Multifaceted Disciplines Driving the Battery Industry
Panelists:
- Dana Bubonovich, Director of Marketing & Communications, Volta Foundation
- Katherine He, Investor, TDK Ventures
- Emily Dickens, CCO, Octet Scientific
- Amy Helner, HR Director, BlueOval Battery Michigan, Ford
- Katharina Gerber, Vice President & Electrode Materials Committee Co-Chair, NAATBatt
Battery innovation extends far beyond scientific breakthroughs—success in this industry relies on a diverse range of disciplines working together. This session explores the critical roles of finance, marketing, supply chain management, human resources, and policy in shaping the battery sector. From securing funding for research and scaling production to navigating global supply chain challenges and attracting top talent, experts from various fields will share insights on how their disciplines contribute to the growth and sustainability of the battery industry. Join us for a dynamic discussion on the interconnected forces driving the future of energy storage. -
2:00 PM PT
Women Powering the Future: Innovations in Batteries & Tech
Panelists:
- Maithri Venkat, Program Director Women in Batteries, Volta Foundation
- Dr. Judy Jeevarajan, VP and Executive Director, UL Research ESRI
- Dr. Renee Zhao, Assistant Professor, Stanford University
- Gayatri Dadheech, Chief Technology Officer, Exide Energy
- Barbara Hughes, VP Energy Storage, Forge Nano
Women are at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in battery technology, driving innovation across research, engineering, and commercialization. This session showcases the contributions of female scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who are shaping the future of energy storage and technology. From pioneering new materials and manufacturing processes to leading sustainable energy solutions, these trailblazers are transforming the industry. Join us for an inspiring conversation on the challenges, successes, and innovations led by women in batteries and tech, and discover how diversity is fueling the next wave of breakthroughs.
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3:00 PM PT
Break & Networking
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3:30 PM PT
Empowering Women in Batteries: Breaking Barriers & Driving Change
Panelists:
- Sama Aghniaey, Founder & President, The Battery Saloon
- Kristen Wahl, Department Director, Sustainable Transportation Education & Partnerships, Argonne National Laboratory
- Pamela Fann, Founder & CEO, Integrated Solutions
- Lauren Allanson, Principal Consultant, Strativ Group
- Swetha Sundaram, VP Solar & Hybrid BESS Systems, RWE
Women are making significant strides in the battery industry, yet challenges remain in achieving equal representation and leadership opportunities. This empowering panel brings together female pioneers, executives, and innovators to discuss their journeys, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the strategies that have helped them succeed. From mentorship and leadership development to fostering inclusive workplaces and securing investment, this discussion will provide actionable insights for aspiring and established professionals alike. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how we can collectively champion and support women in shaping the future of battery technology.
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4:30 PM PT
Closing Keynote
Amanda Hall, CEO, Summit NanotechIn this keynote, Amanda Hall shares her journey from professional geophysicist to CEO and Founder of Summit Nanotech, a leading direct lithium extraction (DLE) company. After being told her vision was “too big” for her, Amanda turned doubt into drive, building a cleantech company that’s solving one of the battery industry’s most urgent challenges: how to produce lithium more sustainably, at scale, and without compromise. Amanda will walk through the technical breakthroughs behind Summit’s sorbent-based DLE technology, the hard-won lessons of scaling deep tech, and the unique barriers women face in battery innovation and venture capital. -
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM PT
Networking Reception
Stanford University Redwood City Campus | Cardinal Hall -
7:00 PM PT
Conclude