Session: Embracing Elegance: Redefining Femininity in Engineering
As a Director of Engineering with undergraduate degree in Computer Science and graduate degree in Software Engineering, I have navigated the tech industry for 20 years with a unique blend of technical expertise and personal style. In this talk, I will share my journey of embracing femininity in a traditionally male-dominated field, challenging stereotypes, and redefining what it means to be an engineer.
I will discuss how embracing my femininity has not only empowered me but also inspired others. From breaking down misconceptions about what an engineer should look like to offering practical advice on integrating personal style into professional life, this session aims to encourage women to bring their whole selves to work.
Bio
Fatima Oguz is the Director of Engineering within Qualcomm’s Core Technology business unit. Throughout her tenure at Qualcomm, she has served as a Product Owner for various teams and currently leads the team responsible for generating Qualcomm software on both cloud and on-premises platforms. These solutions enhance operational efficiency and deliver top-tier performance across Qualcomm’s engineering divisions. Fatima holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from New York University and a Master’s degree in Software Engineering from Brandeis University. Since joining Qualcomm in 2004, she has demonstrated a profound commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has been an active member of the Qualcomm Women San Diego Employee Network board for over four years, initially overseeing outreach initiatives.
In August 2022, Fatima assumed the role of President of the Qualcomm Women San Diego Employee Network and is currently serving her second term. Her vision is to transform this network, the largest within Qualcomm, into a business resource group that significantly contributes to Qualcomm’s strategic business objectives. Additionally, Fatima serves on Athena’s STEM Women Board, a distinguished global advocacy organization dedicated to propelling women in STEM into leadership roles. She has recently been honored with Qualcomm’s prestigious 2024 Global Inclusion Champion award. Among all the roles she fulfills, her most cherished are being a wife to her beloved husband and a mother to her two beautiful children.