USPAACC West

SHEroes 2026

Women as Architects of the Future

 

SHEroes 2026 is a signature gathering created to spotlight the women shaping the future of business, technology, and financial empowerment. This in-person experience brings together founders, executives, innovators, and allies for an afternoon of insight, connection, and forward-looking conversation.

 

Founded by USPAACC WEST in partnership with WISE, SHEroes began as a Women’s History Month initiative and has evolved into a platform that elevates leadership, amplifies impact, and fosters meaningful collaboration across industries.

The 2026 program centers on the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and financial empowerment, examining how women are influencing innovation, creating economic opportunity, and helping shape the systems that will define the next era of growth.

Attendees can expect:

• Thought-provoking discussions led by women at the forefront of change
• Practical perspectives on AI, finance, and innovation
• Curated opportunities to connect with purpose-driven leaders
• An environment designed to inspire action beyond the event

📅 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
📍 Wells Fargo Innovation Center

1302 El Camino Real, Suite 200, Menlo Park, CA

 

SHEroes 2026 welcomes founders, executives, professionals, and allies who believe in advancing women as leaders and architects of the future.

Meet the Speakers

Keynote  Speaker

Parul Saini is a technology executive, founder, and advisor with over two decades of experience leading large-scale digital and AI transformations across global enterprises and high-growth startups. She has held senior leadership roles at companies including Uber and Splunk, where she designed and scaled systems at the intersection of technology, business, and human impact. Known for translating complex technology into clear, real-world decisions, Parul’s work today focuses on helping leaders design AI systems with intention balancing innovation, responsibility, and creativity.

“As AI scales decisions, the future will be shaped less by code and more by judgment. Women bring the creative, human intelligence required to design systems that balance power, empathy, and impact. This talk reframes women not as users of technology, but as its architects.”

Parul Saini

Founder of AI Ally Works

Guest Speaker

Hema Reddy is the founder and CEO of Crafty Counter, a fast-growing CPG startup transforming the plant-based industry with WunderEggs, the first plant-based egg alternative, now sold in over 3,000 retail stores nationwide.

Before her entrepreneurial journey, Hema spent 14 years at IBM, culminating as Director of Marketing for the Systems and Technology division. A recognized innovator, she holds 9 patents, has earned multiple industry awards, and is a global speaker passionate about technology, product innovation, and leadership.

Hema mentors early-stage founders and supports local community initiatives while living in Austin, TX, with her family.  She dedicates her time to volunteering at the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at UT Austin, and mentoring students at the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute and the Westlake High School Business Incubator Program.

She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science and is certified by the Institute of Managerial Leadership at the UT McCombs School of Business.

Hema Reddy

Founder & CEO of Crafty Counter

Guest Speaker

Julie Castro Abrams is the Founder and CEO of How Women Lead, a national organization of top executive
women driving change in leadership and representation. Under her leadership, the organization was instrumental
in passing California’s SB 826, the landmark law mandating women on corporate boards.

She is also the Founder and General Partner of How Women Invest, a venture fund focused on backing high-performing women-founded
companies.

With over 25 years of experience and more than 6,000 women entrepreneurs supported, Julie is a
leading voice in impact investing and gender equity, transforming how women lead, fund, and scale companies.

Julie Castro Abrams

Founder & CEO of How Women Invest