Electronic Specifier is delighted to announce the return of the Women in Tech forum at electronica 2026. This year’s session promises to be as insightful and action-oriented as ever, exploring leadership progression, workforce dynamics, and collaboration across the electronics industry.
Featuring a keynote address, a panel of industry leaders, and a dedicated networking session, the forum takes a data-led approach to understanding how balanced leadership, accountability, and collaboration can drive stronger business performance and long-term industry growth.
Keynote: a global leadership digest combining data & human perspectives
The session opens with a keynote from Jackie Mattox, Chief Executive Officer of WE United, who will present findings from the inaugural ‘Lead Forward Report‘. The report offers an analysis of leadership progression across six interconnected areas: representation, compensation, workforce participation, corporate initiatives, access to capital, and policy.
Panel discussion: the strategy of disruption: a leader’s edge
Building on the keynote, a panel of industry leaders, moderated by Paige Hookway, Managing Editor, Electronic Specifier, will bring together perspectives from across roles, experience levels, and backgrounds – reflecting a shared responsibility for strengthening leadership pipelines and tackling the systemic challenges that affect long-term business performance.
Topics will include:
- Examining leadership progression and addressing gaps in representation, compensation, and access to opportunity
- Highlighting areas of measurable progress and key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Exploring the role of leadership accountability and collaboration in driving strong business outcomes
- Sharing practical approaches to building high-performing, balanced teams
Panellists
Dave Doherty, CEO, DigiKey
Doherty joined DigiKey‘s executive management team in January 2008, bringing with him more than 25 years of electronics industry experience split between semiconductor manufacturing and electronics distribution. His experience and knowledge enable him to provide great insight and innovative leadership within DigiKey as a company, as well as the electronics industry.
With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., and an MBA from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. Doherty has served on the advisory board for the School of Professional Selling at Baylor University and has served as president of the ECIA Education Foundation Board as well as chairperson of the ECIA Executive Conference.
Rebeca Obregon, President, Farnell
Rebeca Obregon was named President of Farnell, an Avnet Company, in July 2024. In her role, Obregon also has responsibility for Avnet’s Integrated Solutions group, helping to bring innovative IP to market on world-class technologies through IT systems integration and services globally.
Obregon’s previous position within Avnet was senior vice president of strategic business engagements and supplier management. She also oversaw supplier management for the Interconnect, Passive & Electromechanical (IP&E) business and drove strategy, mergers and acquisitions across the organisation.
Obregon earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the National Technological University.
She serves on the board of directors of FormFactor, a provider of essential test and measurement technology for integrated circuits.
Andrea Klein, Founder and CEO, Rand Technology
Andrea Klein is the Founder and CEO of Rand Technology, a global independent distributor and supply chain solutions provider specialising in board-level electronic components. Since founding Rand more than 30 years ago, Andrea has transformed the company from a component sourcing business into a sophisticated, full-service supply chain partner supporting leading technology companies across five continents.
Under Andrea’s leadership, Rand has developed global sourcing, engineering, quality, testing, inventory management, logistics, and asset recovery capabilities that help organisations navigate component shortages, obsolescence, allocation, cost pressures, and other supply chain challenges. Her commitment to trust, integrity, innovation, product quality, and customer satisfaction continues to shape Rand’s culture and strategic direction.
Andrea is also a trailblazer for women in the electronics industry. Rand is distinguished as the only 100% woman-owned company among the small group of independent electronic component distributors with truly global infrastructure, advanced engineering resources, and internationally recognised aerospace quality certifications.
Thomas Dudenhoeffer, Senior Vice President Human Resources, TTI Europe
Thomas Dudenhoeffer serves as Senior Vice President Human Resources for TTI Europe, where he leads the people and culture agenda across one of the world’s largest specialist distributors of electronic components.
Drawing on more than three decades of leadership experience with Siemens, Infineon Technologies, and TTI, he is passionate about building high-performing organisations through talent, leadership development, employee engagement, and organisational transformation. A strong advocate for inclusion, learning, and innovation, Thomas is committed to creating workplaces where people and businesses can thrive together.
Outside of work, he mentors students through the Foundation of German Business (sdw) scholarship programme and lives near Munich with his wife and two daughters.
Forum Details
- Date: 11th November 2026
- Time: 9am ET
- Location: Future Tech Stage, Hall C6
Agenda
- 9am – Arrival
- 9.30am – WE United Keynote by Jackie Mattox
- 10.30am – Panel discussion with Paige Hookway
- 11.30am – Quickfire lessons from the top
- 12.30pm – Networking
Electronic Specifier looks forward to welcoming you there and hopes that you leave with clear insights and practical direction to support a more effective, resilient, and future-forward industry.
Complete the below form to register your interest.
As an original manufacturer stocking distributor, Rochester has over 15 billion devices in stock, encompassing more than 200,000 part numbers, providing the world’s most extensive range of end-of-life (EOL) semiconductors and the broadest range of active semiconductors. As a licensed semiconductor manufacturer, Rochester has manufactured over 20,000 device types. With over 12 billion die in stock, Rochester has the capability to manufacture over 100,000 device types.
Rochester offers a full range of manufacturing services, including Design, Wafer Processing, Assembly, Test, Reliability, and IP Archiving, providing single solutions through to full turnkey manufacturing, enabling faster time-to-market.
Rochester is the Semiconductor Lifecycle Solution. No other company compares to the breadth of Rochester’s product selection, value-added services, and manufacturing solutions.
With direct sales and support staff in all major markets, Rochester aims to meet customer needs over the phone or via its e-commerce platforms anytime, anywhere.
For more information, visit: www.rocelec.com
Rand Technology
