Networking Event Highlights Achievements and Knowledge from AVIXA's Women's Community
On Thursday morning of a blooming June in 2025, the halls of the Orange County Convention Center during InfoComm 2025 echoed with laughter and applause as more than 400 women and allies attended the 10th anniversary of the AVIXA Women's Breakfast. This celebration was a tribute to the relentless efforts of women within the AVIXA Women's Council and the industry at large, while providing a much-needed boost of inspiration.
Leading the event was none other than tech visionary, Noelle Russell, founder, and chief AI officer of the AI Leadership Institute, who delivered the keynote "Navigating Challenges, Embracing Triumphs: Empowering Women in Leadership." A decade-old initiative, the AVIXA Women's Council was first established in 2015 with a mission to cultivate opportunities for women in the technology and audiovisual (AV) industries, fostering connections and support amongst its growing membership of 1,119, spanning continents from the Asia-Pacific Region to Latin America.
Throughout the event, the stage was adorned with heartfelt shoutouts and words of acknowledgment, commending members and leaders who have made a significant impact on the Council's journey. One moment that stood out was former co-chair Tammy Fuqua's heartwarming address, sharing her personal battle with cancer and encouraging everyone in attendance to seek regular medical checkups.
One of the industry's trailblazers, Mary Cook, was honored posthumously with the establishment of a scholarship in her name. The inaugural Mary Cook Empowerment Scholarship was presented to Alexandra Garip of AVI-SPL, following a video introduction from a lifelike AI avatar of Mary herself.
As part of her inspiring speech, Russell drew upon her personal experiences as a mother of six children, including a special needs child. These experiences were instrumental in shaping development of AI-based technologies such as Amazon Alexa, reminding us that inclusivity is key to better serving end-users' needs.
With an emphasis on ethical and intentional AI development, Russell's keynote closed on a high note, urging the audience to "live with purpose and then hopefully enjoy it along the way."
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- The AVIXA Women's Council, established in 2015, has been dedicated to cultivating opportunities and fostering connections in the technology and audiovisual industries, featuring a membership of over 1,100 women spanning various continents.
- During the AVIXA Women's Breakfast at InfoComm 2025, technology visionary Noelle Russell, known for her work at the AI Leadership Institute, discussed the importance of empowering women in leadership roles, directly linking her keynote to the health and wellness of women in the industry.
- The event also acknowledged the significant contributions of members like Tammy Fuqua, who overcame her personal battle with cancer and encouraged others to prioritize regular health checkups as part of a health-and-wellness initiative.
- Noelle Russell, a mother of six, highlighted the role of inclusivity in developing better technology, such as Amazon Alexa, during her speech, emphasizing the importance of technology in the finance, business, and careers sectors, while also advocating for a more intentional and ethical approach to AI development in the technology field.
