On Wednesday, October 16, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) hosted its seventh annual Women in Industry event—an inspiring experience aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders and preparing them for the future.
A diverse crowd of students, staff, families, and community members gathered at the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center to hear from this year’s esteemed panel of seven female professionals, each representing a wide range of industries.
The event began with the presentation of colors by Esperanza High School’s all-female Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) color guard. Emily Lira and Laila Youssef from Esperanza’s American Sign Language program, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem .
Dr. Will Gray, Executive Director of College & Career Readiness, then took the stage to welcome attendees and recognize honored guests, including Executive Cabinet members, district administrators, and school site leaders. He also highlighted the district’s 15 academy pathways.
Next, Dr. Olivia Yaung, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Leila Armand, a senior at Valencia High School and dual-diploma candidate in the Val Tech and International Baccalaureate programs.
Leila’s keynote was both personal and inspiring. She spoke about overcoming self-doubt, particularly as a young Black girl aspiring to succeed in the tech field, where representation was limited. She credited her growth to mentors and teachers who believed in her potential, helping her to gain the confidence to pursue her passions. Leila reflected, “When people believe in you, it’s easier to start believing in yourself. And when you believe in yourself, you can achieve things you never thought possible.”
Following her speech, Dr. Yaung invited the panelists and student moderators to join the stage for introductions before commencing the highly anticipated question-and-answer session.
Ten students, representing various Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in the district, served as moderators for the evening. They included Priscilla Hernandez from El Camino High School, Jaden Lum and Sage Oudin from El Dorado High School, Nyeema Forrester and Lana Marques from Esperanza High School, Simran Vaswani from Parkview High School, Cora Winger and Leila Armand from Valencia High School, and Isabella McNais and Grace Peng from Yorba Linda High School.
The accomplished panel featured:
- Heather Hoesch Olsen, Founder, Wedding Planner, Educator, Mentor & Podcast Host
- Stephanie Leslie, Owner of Regal Court Reporting
- Dr. Jennifer Zemo, Otolaryngologist—Head and Neck Surgeon
- Elanie In, Principal Account Manager at Google
- Lindsay Hagie, Owner of Mathnasium
- Kelly Gilster, Filmmaker and Owner of Westmade Films and 618 Studios, Podcast Host
- Carizza Rose, Director of Marketing and Creative at 24 Carrots Catering and Events
The Q&A session kicked off with insightful questions, including: “What did you want to be when you were a child?” “What advice do you have for young women on building self-confidence and assertiveness?” and “What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?”
Each panelist responded with thoughtfulness, sharing personal experiences and valuable guidance, which resonated with the audience. The session concluded with enthusiastic applause and cheers for the panelists.
To close the event, Dr. Yaung returned to express gratitude to the panelists, student moderators, and all individuals who contributed to making the evening a success.
As the audience exited the auditorium, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Attendees had the chance to meet the panelists in person and reflect on the event’s inspiring impact.
This memorable event was sponsored by The Reach Foundation.
You can watch the full event on the district’s YouTube channel at the link below.
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