Tech It Out

Emcee: Sandy Howe – Founder & CEO, S. Howe & Associates

Sandy Howe is a seasoned board director and former C-level executive with 25+ years in the technology industry. She serves on the boards of ATX Networks, SQUAN, and NCTA. Recognized as a trusted industry voice, Sandy has led major transformations across wireless, fiber and broadband networks, Wi-Fi, 5G, spectrum, video streaming, cybersecurity, data center and artificial intelligence, while championing women in technology.

Panelist: Tracy Pitcher – President & CEO, The WICT Network

Tracy Pitcher is a visionary leader with deep experience driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence across media, technology, and telecommunications. As President and CEO of The WICT Network, she builds on a career spanning senior roles at Comcast, Charter, AT&T Broadband, and Time Warner Cable. Known for building high-performing teams and advancing diversity, Tracy is an alumna of The WICT Network and Stanford’s Senior Executive Summit, dedicated to empowering leaders and driving industry progress.

Panelist: Crystal Combs – Assistant I&T Director, City of Charlotte

Crystal Combs is Assistant I&T Director for the City of Charlotte, leading technology operations including enterprise applications, public safety technology, project management, and customer experience. With 25+ years of service, she has delivered initiatives like Workday ERP, CAD systems, records management, and regional information-sharing platforms supporting operations.

Panelist: Will Berger – Group Vice President, Access Software Design Development, Charter Communications

Will Berger has over 20 years in cable, with experience from field technician to software development. Holding more than a dozen patents, he oversees all software development for the last mile of the cable plant and focuses on driving Network Evolution’s success and rapidly expanding the fiber-powered network to enhance connectivity and performance.

Panelist: Sofya Diktas – Manager for AI Products and Governance, State of North Carolina

Sofya Diktas leads responsible AI efforts in the public sector. With an engineering degree from Cornell and tech ethics training from Duke, she bridges technology and policy to ensure AI is ethical and trustworthy. Previously at Accenture, she developed emerging technology solutions and now creates governance frameworks that drive equitable, inclusive, and socially responsible AI innovation.

Keynote Speaker: Jodi Baxter – Vice President of AI, Cybersecurity, and IoT, TELUS

Jodi Baxter leads TELUS’ expansion into AI, cloud, and data services, overseeing the Sovereign AI Factory, 5G, IoT, and Cybersecurity. With 20+ years in telecom, she has a record of turning technologies into market leaders. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA, serves on the Canadian Telecom Summit advisory board, and drives digital transformation with a customer-centric vision.

BRONZE

CHAMPION

WOMEN IN STEM

INDUSTRY PARTNER