You Don't Know What You Don't Know (Fort Wayne Event)

Registration for this event is now closed. We look forward to seeing our attendees at Sweetwater!

Have you ever wondered about a different industry or profession, but you don’t know anything about it? Have you heard a software engineer, computational chemist, or architect talk about their work and think, “Wow, that’s cool, I didn’t know that!?”

Often, we get siloed in our own work and industry and we don’t know what we don’t know. Women & Hi Tech has member professionals in a variety of STEM industries and we want to create opportunities for you to share what you know with others!

Our program will include 3 accomplished women in STEM who will give a brief 7-10 minute presentation on their career and industry. Titled “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know” we’re asking women from different industry sectors and backgrounds to give a glimpse into their world. 

• Sarah Strimmenos - Fort Wayne Market President, Old National Bank
  

  Sarah joined Old National Bank’s commercial lending operations in May 2014, after 20 years in public accounting in the corporate audit arena. She currently directs the Fort Wayne community and associate engagement strategy for Old National and supports the Northeast Market business banking team which includes the Fort Wayne market, Michiana and the State of Michigan. Sarah also has significant experience in a financial advisory consulting capacity with family and owner-managed businesses and nonprofit organizations.

  
  
• Cynthia Vanderwall - President and Chief Executive Officer, General Petroleum
  

  With 45 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Cynthia Vanderwall serves as the president and chief executive officer at General Petroleum Inc. (GPI), a fully-licensed product distributor for ExxonMobil lubricants, petroleum oil lubricants and antifreeze. Since assuming the executive role in 2016, Cynthia leads the day-to-day operations of General Petroleum.

  GPI was started in 1952 by the Dettmer family. The Vanderwall family has led GPI since it was acquired in 1978. During that time, Cynthia served as vice president of the company—a position she held until 2005 when she was named president and CEO. Her passions and strengths lie in team building, strategic planning and business development.

  Cynthia also earned GPI its Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Certification, which celebrates GPI as a women-owned business.

  After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo, she went on to attend courses at the University of Toledo College of Law while also holding a management position in the Lucas County Court System.

  Cynthia is exceedingly proud of GPI's growth over the past 40 years and is enthusiastic about what the future holds.

  To learn more about Cynthia, visit GPI’s website or connect with her on LinkedIn.

  
  
• Dr. Dawn Moore - Director, Online and Credit Programs, Purdue University Fort Wayne

Dawn Moore is known as a business savvy, motivational speaker, and an online educational professional with a Bachelor’s in Journalism, Master’s in Business Administration, and a PhD in Global Leadership. She has extensive experience in retail management, employee engagement, conflict resolution, post-secondary education, student enrichment, and community leadership. Some of Dr. Moore’s speaking engagements have included: Authentic Leadership of Black Women Faculty at Predominantly White Institutions (PWI’s); Intercultural Competence Development - Staying Power for Educators of Color; Tips for Teaching Interfaith Courses Online; Racial Microaggressions and Faculty Motivation; and, The Truth About the Wage Gap for African-American Women. One of her favorite quotes: "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." ~JFK

Thank you so much to our presenting sponsor for this event, Sweetwater Sound, who will also be our hosts for a lovely evening of networking and learning. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be provided.