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Sylvia Acevedo

Tech Executive; Entrepreneur; Author; Former CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA; Board Member of Qualcomm

Sylvia is a transformative leader, entrepreneur, and visionary strategist whose career has been defined by breaking barriers and driving impact at scale -- from working in space exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to reshaping industries through bold leadership at Apple, Autodesk, Dell, and IBM.

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Bio

Sylvia Acevedo is a transformative leader, entrepreneur, and visionary strategist whose career has been defined by breaking barriers and driving impact at scale. From working in space exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to reshaping industries through bold leadership at Apple, Autodesk, Dell, and IBM, Sylvia has mastered the art of navigating change, seizing opportunities, and leading with conviction.

Her ability to identify untapped markets, expand global reach, and drive high-margin growth has made her a force in the technology sector. As a Board Director for Qualcomm and Lead Independent Board Director at Credo Technologies, she is at the forefront of shaping the future of AI, connectivity, and innovation. She also advises early-stage tech company CEO’s.

A champion of transformational leadership, Sylvia served as CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, where she spearheaded the organization’s largest programmatic expansion in over a century. Under her leadership, 146 new badges and programs were introduced in STEM, Entrepreneurship, Civics, and the Outdoors—fueling over one million STEM badge earned by Girl Scouts in rural, urban and suburban communities and equipping young women with the skills to lead in an evolving world.

Committed to education and economic mobility, she launched grassroots initiatives that reached millions of students and families, directly influencing federal early childhood education policy as a White House Education Commissioner under President Obama. Her contributions to education earned her Mexico’s Ohtli Award, one of the country’s highest honors.

Sylvia’s impact has been recognized globally, with accolades including Forbes’ Top 50 Women in Tech, InStyle’s “Badass 50: Women Changing the World,” Bloomberg’s Top 100 Influential Latinos, and Cybersecurity Person of the Year. She has received the Captain of Industry Leadership Award from the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering and continues to be a sought-after thought leader on resilience, leadership, and innovation.

A commanding speaker and bestselling author, Sylvia has inspired audiences worldwide with her memoir, Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist. Her second book, The Trailblazer’s Playbook, delivers a powerful blueprint for ambitious leaders, offering actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty, make decisive moves, and unlock their full potential.

Sylvia earned her Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University and a Master’s degree in Engineering from Stanford University. She has been honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Duke University and Saint Mary’s College and an Honorary Doctorate from Washington College.

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Keynotes

Featured Keynote

Leveraging Shifts to Accelerate Innovation

In a landscape that’s ever-evolving, the ability to pivot isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential. But what if, instead of merely adapting, you could ride the crest of these tidal waves of change and channel their power? This electrifying keynote unveils the art and science of leveraging monumental shifts in business, technology, and society. With riveting real life examples and breakthrough strategies, you’ll learn not just to navigate, but to ignite innovation like never before. Supercharge your company’s journey, transforming challenges into unparalleled opportunities for growth. Let’s not just keep pace—let’s redefine it.

Trailblazing Leadership: Igniting the Path to Success (Fireside Chat)

Trailblazing Leadership: Igniting the Path to Success (Fireside Chat)

In today’s dynamic business landscape, we need leaders who break barriers and drive transformational change. Join us for an impactful fireside chat, “Trailblazing Leadership: Igniting the Path to Success”, led by an acclaimed global leader Sylvia Acevedo This talk dives into the heart of audacious leadership, showcasing how it sparks innovation and resilience. Through personal anecdotes and captivating storytelling, our speaker challenges conventional perspectives, inspiring new ways to imagine opportunities for career advancement and explore new ideas. This session isn’t just about leadership – it’s about the courage to maximize you and your organization’s potential to make a lasting impact. Join us to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered to ignite your journey towards trailblazing leadership. Embark on this mind-expanding exploration and engrain a trailblazer’s spirit into your leadership ethos.

This fireside chat will be an inspirational charge to your leadership ethos, instilling a trailblazer’s spirit into your corporate DNA. Come prepared to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered to blaze your own trail in leadership and beyond.
Innovation Unleashed: Accelerating Your Competitive Advantage

Innovation Unleashed: Accelerating Your Competitive Advantage

Join us for a vital session, “Innovation Unleashed”, led by Sylvia Acevedo, highly awarded leader known for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. In an ever-changing business environment, staying competitive demands relentless innovation. Sylvia will demystify how to leverage this power to drive growth and stay ahead of the curve even in the most challenging environments. This talk isn’t just about innovation—it’s about boldness to transcend boundaries, creativity to envision the unimaginable, and tenacity to bring visions to life. It’s about redefining the way you see and create value through captivating storytelling of hard learned lessons. Embark on this journey with Sylvia, and you’ll leave not just inspired, but equipped with actionable insights to foster innovation and secure your competitive edge in today’s dynamic world.
Igniting Change: The Unstoppable Journey of Hispanic Leadership

Igniting Change: The Unstoppable Journey of Hispanic Leadership

Celebrated globally and recognized by Bloomberg as one of the world’s most influential Latinos, and spotlighted in Smithsonian’s book “30 Inspiring Latino/a’s that have shaped the United States,” Sylvia embodies the strength of Hispanic leadership. In “Igniting Change”, Sylvia recounts her remarkable trajectory—from her early days as a rocket scientist at NASA, to a prominent technology executive at Apple, IBM, and Dell, to a dedicated White House Education Commissioner under President Obama, and to her inspiring tenure as CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. Her tenure at Girl Scouts was transformative, integrating STEM programming and leading the charge as over 1 million Girl Scouts earned STEM badges. Today, Sylvia is a pioneering global leader on numerous corporate boards.

Through sharing her life’s journey, Sylvia underscores the resilience, courage, and relentless persistence that have characterized her trailblazing career. With her inspiring narrative, she illuminates the powerful role that these traits play in fostering innovative leadership and effecting meaningful change. This talk is more than a personal story—it’s a celebration of the power of the embracing your potential, who you are and its transformative impact on leadership. Sylvia inspires you to embrace and celebrate your own potential, using it as a source of strength, resilience, and innovation.

Prepare to be inspired by Sylvia Acevedo’s compelling story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to transformation. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a leader who has repeatedly shattered glass ceilings and continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Radiant Rise: Sylvia Acevedo's Inspiring Journey of Female Empowerment and Leadership

Radiant Rise: Sylvia Acevedo's Inspiring Journey of Female Empowerment and Leadership

Recognized as one of the world’s most influential Latinos by Bloomberg, and 7th on In Style’s Badass 50: Women Changing the World,”” Sylvia’s story is a beacon of inspiration for women around the globe.

In “Radiant Rise”, Sylvia shares her remarkable journey, from her early career as a NASA rocket scientist to being a tech executive at giants like Apple, IBM, and Dell. Not stopping there, she served as a White House Education Commissioner under President Obama and as the innovative CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. Here, she instilled a passion for STEM among a generation of girls, resulting in over 1 million STEM badges earned under her leadership. Today, Sylvia stands as a triumphant Latina on several corporate boards.

Sylvia’s tale isn’t just a personal success story—it’s a testament to the power of every women’s resilience, courage, and unwavering persistence in the face of challenges. Her trajectory serves as an empowering narrative for aspiring women leaders and disruptors. Join us to celebrate Women’s History Month with Sylvia’s inspiring story. Get ready to be moved, empowered, and motivated to rise to your potential, This is more than a session—it’s a celebration of female empowerment and leadership that will inspire you to ignite your own trailblazing journey.
Career Acceleration: Unleashing Leaders' Potential to the Top

Career Acceleration: Unleashing Leaders' Potential to the Top

Your mentor on this journey, a trailblazing leader with a wealth of diverse industry leadership experiences that started as a rocket scientist at NASA, and then who carved an enviable path of innovation and leadership as a tech executive at IBM, Apple, and Dell. Sylvia pivoted to public service leadership where she became a White House Education Commissioner and then CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. As CEO, Sylvia spearheaded the most extensive program rollout in its history, with over a million STEM badges earned by Girl Scouts during her tenure. Now serving on board director roles in Fortune 150 public and private companies, she offers unique insights into the nuances of attaining and succeeding all the way to the C-Suite.

However, the path to the top isn’t always smooth. It’s filled with humbling experiences, stumbles, and lessons, each one molding the leader in unique ways. Through her own experiences, Sylvia seeks to provide you with invaluable wisdom, helping you navigate your path with resilience and adaptability.

Embark on this inspiring journey with us and accelerate your progression to the top tiers of leadership. This session is an extraordinary chance to refine your leadership style, uncover personal growth opportunities, and equip yourself with the knowledge to successfully navigate the complex journey of leadership. Let’s pave your path to success together.