Lauren Saxton is an AI Engineering Manager with a career defined by technical versatility and a "human-first" leadership philosophy. An alumna of the Georgia Tech OMSCS program, Laurenʼs journey began as a student in Electrical Engineering before she discovered her passion for computer science and software development. Her career spans the full tech stack and various leadership tiers—from consulting at Avanade and front-end development at Match.com to leading greenfield AI initiatives at Veeam. Lauren has navigated the high-growth environment of an IPO with NerdWallet, explored the startup world as a founder and individual contributor at various companies, and sharpened her strategic lens as a Technical Product Manager. Today, she focuses on building high-performing, human-centric AI teams that prioritize the individual as much as the code. Lauren is a firm believer that the best engineering cultures are built on empathy, transparency, and a healthy dose of experimental spirit.

Abstract: "If you feel like youʼre supposed to have your entire 10-year career plan mapped out by the time you finish your OMSCS degree, Iʼm here to tell you to breathe. My journey to becoming a successful AI Engineering leader started with an Electrical Engineering degree I didnʼt love and a series of 'what if' pivots—from consulting in NYC to navigating an IPO with NerdWallet and eventually specializing in leading greenfield AI projects. In this talk, Iʼm sharing the real-world version of a career in tech: one built on serendipity, hard work, and the courage to treat your professional life like a beta test. Weʼll talk about how to fearlessly seize opportunities when they appear, why I believe 'Human-First' leadership is the only way to build a team that lasts, and why trying a role—whether it's as a tech founder or a technical product manager —is never a waste of time, even if it doesn't work out. Come for the career advice, stay for the honest look at what happens when you stop worrying about 'permanent' moves and start following your interests.