Technical Conference: 15 - 19 March 2026
Exhibition: 17 - 19 March 2026
Los Angeles Convention Center | Los Angeles, California, United States

Technical Conference: 15 - 19 March 2026
Exhibition: 17 - 19 March 2026
Los Angeles Convention Center | Los Angeles, California, United States

The Suzanne R. Nagel Lounge

Nagel Lounge LogoNamed in honor of the first woman chair of OFC, Suzanne R. Nagel, the Lounge is an inclusive networking space that offers all attendees the opportunity to hear from leaders in the field, discuss diversity trends and explore new business opportunities.

See below for the schedule of activities in the Lounge including discussion sessions that are designed maximize learning and connection being driven by leaders in the community. Each discussion leader will be in the lounge throughout the time shown on the agenda to share their insights, tips and guidance on the topic and be ready to answer your questions.

Nagel Lounge Program Schedule

Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

Tuesday, 17 March

Event Name Event Details Time
Complementary Headshots

Offered throughout the exhibit.

10:00 - 17:00
Navigating Change - Reshaping Your Career

Whether you are changing roles, moving to a different company, shifting between academia and industry, or still planning your next step, making a career change can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Join us to discuss how to navigate the transition with confidence and set yourself up for success.

Speaker: Wynter Chen, IBM, USA

10:30 - 11:30
Decoding the Tech Hire: From Application to Offer

Join Celestica's recruiting experts for an exclusive fireside chat that goes beyond standard application best practices. This session, titled "Decoding the Tech Hire: From Application to Offer," will reveal "insider secrets" on how technical talent can stand out in the hiring process.

Speaker: John Kimball, Celestica, Canada

13:30 - 14:30
 

[top]

Wednesday, 18 March

Event Name Event Details Time
Complementary Headshots

Offered throughout the exhibit.

10:00 - 17:00
The Value of Volunteering: Creating Opportunities for Professional Growth

Speaker: Gabriella Bosco, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

10:30 - 11:30
The Resilence Roadmap: Turning a Career Pause into Progress

Speaker: Deepa Venkitesh, IIT Madras, India

13:00 - 13:30
 

[top]

Thursday, 19 March

Event Name Event Details Time
Beyond the Lab Bench: Designing for Scale and Impact

Speaker: Fotini Karinou, Microsoft, UK

11:00 - 12:00
 

[top]