SE TechnologyNEXT at Lear Innovation Center

This event registration is currently closed. If you would like to register please call the Inforum office 313-567-0232.

Join Inforum's TechnologyNEXT industry group at the Lear Innovation Center in downtown Detroit. This event will be a panel discussion about the possibilities within careers of technology, and the best way you can work towards them. Inforum welcomes Catherine Lazarock, president and founder of Symplicity; Melany Bigham senior vice president and credit and lending domain chief information office, technology, Comerica Bank; Kathryn Ramsay, systems analyst, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; and moderator, Tonya Matthews, associate provost for inclusive workforce development and director of STEM learning innovation center, Wayne State University.

TechnologyNEXT is for Inforum members who are passionate about advancing the careers of women in technology. The group is focused on sharing knowledge, increasing understanding of technology issues and offering unique professional development and relationship building opportunities for technology professionals, as well as educators, consultants, attorneys and other experts who routinely work in technology.

Panelists

Catherine Lazarock

President and founder, Symplicity

Catherine Lazarock, a West Michigan native and GVSU alumni, founded Symplicity Communications in 2007 after putting herself through college as a single mother of two with the dream of making an impact in the world of business. Eventually, her hard work and faith enabled her to grow Symplicity from the ground up. For over 12 years, she has helped make IT and telecom “Symple” for hundreds of businesses by providing them with a deeper understanding of how they can improve their technology strategies. Catherine has grown her business to include 15 employees with clients ranging from small businesses to enterprise organizations. Catherine was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal in 2018. To read more click here.

Melany Bigham

Senior Vice President & Credit and Lending Domain Chief Information Officer, Technology, Comerica Bank

Melany Bigham is the Domain Chief Information Officer for Credit and Lending, accountable for the delivery and support of technology solutions that enable Comerica’s commercial and consumer lending activities, including origination, credit approval, post-approval, loan servicing and accounting.   

Melany joined Comerica in 1996 as a management trainee in the Retail Bank, and transferred to the Technology organization in 2001 as a Business Analyst. Over the course of the next several years, Melany held roles in Technology as a Project Manager and a Business Relationship Manager, acting as a technology consultant to our various business lines.  

Kathryn Ramsay

Systems Analyst, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Kathryn began her higher education at Arizona State University, where she fell in love with Microsoft Excel and declared a business major. In 2016, Kathryn dove head first into a rapidly transitioning IT landscape. As a Systems Analyst on the Membership & Billing maintenance team, Kathryn operates the middle ground between business and technical. Her team focuses on building trust and creating value with simple, long term solutions. Kathryn is a force for change.

Kathryn also leads the IT division for Blunited, a cross-functional Diversity and Inclusion Council. Through Blunited, Kathryn and others led over 180 employee volunteers to 17 sites across Detroit for the 12^th Annual ARISE! Neighborhoods Day.

Moderator

Tonya Matthews

Associate provost for inclusive workforce development and director of STEM learning Innovation Center, Wayne State University

Known as a thought-leader and convener in STEM equity, education and engagement, her diverse background includes academic and professional work as an engineer, educator, volunteer, and “science and society” commentator. Matthews is noted for her skill in bringing diverse voices into common conversation and has been recognized by Crain’s Business as one of Michigan’s 100 Most Influential Women.     

Tonyae is founder of The STEMinista Project, an initiative supporting middle schools girls in exploring tools and careers in STEM via collective impact program design, a global role model database, and access to 1000+ hours of STEM experiences for every participant every year. For more about Tonya click here.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Innovation Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors:

Leadership Sponsors:

 Supporting Sponsor:

Interested in sponsorship? Contact Becky Puckett-Wood at bpuckett-wood@inforummichigan.org

TechnologyNEXT brings together Inforum members who are working in technology to expand their professional knowledge and foster intentional connections.
Whether you own a technology-related business; work in technology development, sales or marketing; or are a self-described techie - this group is for you!