Last month, Female Leaders in Tech, Everywhere (FLITE) announced the appointment of Lydia Zhao as Ambassador for Asia.  This nomination raised global awareness of FLITE’s plans to grow its board by investing in regional figureheads.  The further appointment of leader Michelle Ogihara encapsulates this strategy, bringing the desired level of coverage in the U.S. FLITE requires.

In her day-to-day life, Michelle is the Senior Sales Manager of Seika Machinery Incorporated, a distributor of SMT and ATE solutions from Japan.  She is also an active member of the SMTA, taking on various board positions as a chapter leader, co-chairing the MSD Council and serving on several committees at a national level.

On her appointment as Ambassador for FLITE, U.S., Michelle commented; “I’ve watched FLITE with a high degree of interest as the group has grown and developed into a network of influential females who are invited to participate in debates held within our industry’s leading tradeshows.  The organization is upfront and central to the conversation and seems to be in all the right places just now, representing females in tech in a strong and positive way.  When FLITE approached me with the offer to be an Ambassador for the U.S., I was delighted.  I believe in what the group stands for, I endorse its message of support, empowerment, and encouragement, and I think the timing of reaching out to women with its ‘mentor or be mentored’ message is spot on.  We need groups like FLITE in our industry, we need to address the gender balance and we need to encourage women to find their voice.  I am excited to help keep the momentum of this movement going.”

Kirsty Hazlewood, Treasurer of FLITE commented; “Females look to FLITE for knowledge, network support, and mentorship, or to be a mentor.  We offer all our members encouragement and advice to help them progress in their career.  We would like to hear from other female volunteers who, like Michelle, can dedicate some of their time to help collaborate with a worthwhile cause or can inspire women to empower others.  As our motto states, we all rise by helping others.”

FLITE is looking forward to attending the IPC APEX Expo from February 27th – March 1st, 2018, in San Diego.  Last year’s APEX was a great success for the group and it is looking to replicate this in 2018.  Michelle and the team will be in attendance, so please look out for our FLITE members and event news.

About FLITE

Through our knowledge network, females come together to: lead the conversation, connect with a common community, share best practice, success stories, achievements and mentor other ambitious females entering the tech world.

FLITE organizes events, publishes articles, blogs and promotional pieces to ensure that members are kept up-to-date with influential and inspirational females, with the shared goal of empowering women in tech now and in future generations.

For more information, visit www.weareflite.com or register at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12000393.