Our Professionals
Ya Xu
Our keynote speaker Ya joined LinkedIn in 2013 and has since been a driving force in transforming LinkedIn into a Data First company. As Head of Data and AI, Ya leads a global team of ~1,000 data scientists and AI engineers. In addition to her work at LinkedIn, Ya has co-authored a book, entitled “Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments”, was named to Fortune’s 40 under 40 in tech, and was nominated for VentureBeat’s Women in AI Awards. She has delivered countless speeches, including a commencement speech to Stanford’s Class of 2019 in Mathematics, Statistics, and Mathematical & Computational Science. Prior to LinkedIn, she worked at Microsoft and received a PhD in Statistics from Stanford University.
Mike Wallz
Unlock your potential at "The Free Life Workshop" with Mike Wallz. As a former Big 10 Academic All-American, rising hip hop mogul, and the Co-Founder of BRiDGE, Mike brings a wealth of experience to guide you on your journey to holistic success. Through a series of dynamic exercises, you will learn how to raise your vibration, crystallize your vision, and manifest your purpose - gaining essential tools that bridge personal wellness and professional achievement.
Susan Dworak
Susan Dworak is the CEO of Real Identities, a group of professionals who strive to prevent using fake IDs and promotes correct images and information by analyzing real IDs. In her workshop, “Lessons from a CEO,” she will share a few of the major lessons she has learned from being a CEO and teach about the lifecycle of a company, and all the aspects of running a company.
Anni Ankola
Anni Ankola, cofounder of Spyra Beauty, is presenting a workshop about the tips and tricks of starting a new company. He graduated from Harker in 2015, finished his undergrad in 2 years from SJSU, and did his Masters in AI from Cal Poly SLO. After spending time working in tech in the data science, AI, and blockchain world, he decided to build something himself. We’re delighted to have him lead his “Start Up 101” workshop!
Saurav Paul
Saurav Paul is a seasoned professional bridging the realms of mechanical engineering and business with finesse. Embark on a journey as Saurav delves into the dynamic interplay between business acumen and engineering prowess and how these two disciplines intertwine seamlessly, propelling innovation and driving technological advancement forward. Whether you're passionate about engineering, intrigued by business, or eager to explore the nexus where the two converge, this workshop promises to inspire and enlighten.
Amit Mukherjee
Amit Mukherjee is a Harker alum ('06) and a professional venture capitalist, who was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Amit's workshop will be split into two parts. First, we'll use a framework to evaluate two business ideas and determine which one is more likely to succeed. Secondly, Amit will use some tactics he learned to help all the workshop attendees be their best selves at Harker and beyond.
Our Student Workshops
Sriteja Kataru
Sriteja is a current junior at Harker. He founded a startup called TEJA (Teenage Eating for Joyful Adulthood), a gummy supplements company tailored for teens. At his workshop, he’ll be sharing his insights on how to create compelling business pitches. Participants will then have the chance to apply these tips in a team-based pitch competition, where creativity and clarity are key to winning a special prize.
Cynthia Wang
Cynthia, a current senior, has spent the last year working on economics research at Harker. She will be presenting her research at BEcon.
Andrew Smith
Group Projects, Test Curves, Cheating and more--In this workshop, Harker Senior Andrew Smith explores the game theory implications and applications all around us. Come to play some games, win some prizes, and recognize the hidden patterns of economic behavior students encounter every day at 500 Saratoga Avenue.
Ansh Sheth
Ansh, a current senior, has spent the last year working on economics research at Harker. He will be presenting his research at BEcon.
