Ana Isabel Billingslea

On September 16, 2025, the Inclusive Chips Forum organized by Platform Talent voor Technologie at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven convened changemakers from across Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem to share insights and strategies for building a more inclusive industry.This full-day program was designed to showcase practical strategies, inspiring case studies, and collaborative solutions aimed at strengthening inclusion, innovation, and resilience in the semiconductor industry. With Europe’s role in the global semiconductor landscape under intense focus, the forum highlighted why building a workforce culture rooted in equity and belonging is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic imperative.A Thought-Provoking Panel on Inclusive LeadershipA central question resonated throughout the conversation: What if inclusivity were treated as a core component of leadership development, as fundamental as financial management or strategic planning, rather than an optional module or one-off seminar?The discussion surfaced several critical insights for the industry and beyond:Awareness alone is not enough. While raising awareness about bias and stereotypes is important, research and experience show it rarely leads to behavioral change on its own. Lasting change comes from setting clear norms, leaders must define and model what is acceptable, expected, and celebrated in organizational culture. As Sahar Yadegari, Executive Director of Expertisecentrum voor haar technische ontwikkeling, emphasized:“Awareness is a starting point, not the finish line. Real change happens when inclusion is built into systems — not treated as an add-on.” – VHTOLeadership as connection. True leaders don’t just focus on profits or processes. They bring all perspectives into the room, connect diverse groups, and create conditions for others to thrive.Structural support matters. To avoid symbolic gestures, organizations must embed inclusivity into their leadership practices and accountability systems.Competitiveness through inclusion. By embracing diversity and inclusion, Europe can future-proof its semiconductor workforce, strengthening innovation capacity and securing its position in an increasingly competitive global market.Looking AheadThe Inclusive Chips Forum underscored a powerful message: embedding inclusion into leadership is not optional, it is essential for the sustainable success of Europe’s semiconductor industry.As participants engaged in lively discussions and networking throughout the day, one thing became clear: building a resilient, innovative, and inclusive semiconductor ecosystem will require collaborative effort, courageous leadership, and a commitment to turning awareness into action.A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, participants, and partners who made this event possible.For more information, contact Ana Isabel Billingslea at [email protected] or Kartikey Srivastava at [email protected] Isabel Billingslea is Communications Coordinator at SEMI Europe.

On October 03, 2025, as part of the European Chips Diversity Alliance, the recent "Why Inclusion Fuels Better Chips" panel discussion, hosted by Kartikey Srivastava, Senior Specialist, Communications at SEMI Europe, brought together three leaders from across the ecosystem to explore how inclusion is not just a social imperative but a strategic advantage.Martina Wolfgruber, Head of Talent Skills Funding at Infineon Technologies Austria: With over 15 years of experience in HR, Wolfgruber is responsible for funded projects aimed at promoting careers and cultivating talent within the microelectronics industry.Catherine Le Lan de Franssu at Synopsys: Le Lan de Franssu brings a wealth of experience in customer success management, training, and team management from her time at companies like LSI-Logic, Synopsys, and Texas Instruments. She now focuses on fostering collaborations for workforce development.Dr. Suzanne Lesecq, Research Director and European Programs Manager at CEA- Leti: A research director and former university professor, Dr. Lesecq focuses on data fusion and advanced control. She currently manages European programs at CEA-Leti/DSYS.The semiconductor industry is the backbone of Europe's digital transformation, but achieving excellence goes beyond technology alone. It's about bringing every perspective and every talent to the table.Inclusion as a Strategic ImperativeThe panelists all agreed that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is essential for Europe to lead in the semiconductor sector. Wolfgruber posed a compelling question: can Europe truly afford to leave half of its talent pool untapped? She pointed to data from a Boston Consulting Group study showing that companies with diverse leadership are nearly 40% more likely to achieve above-average profitability, and diverse teams are almost twice as likely to be innovative. For Infineon, she noted, "inclusion is not just a value... it's a strategic advantage."Echoing this sentiment, Le Lan de Franssu emphasized that innovation depends on collaboration across institutions, disciplines, regions, and cultures. She believes that "breakthrough moments happen when talented people of every background feel valued, supported to their best self at work." Dr. Lesecq added that inclusion is "a matter of society" that goes beyond a single company's benefit.Fostering a Culture of InclusionThe conversation then moved to practical steps for building a truly inclusive environment. Dr. Lesecq, coming from the academic sector, highlighted the significant gender imbalance and the lack of inclusion for people with special needs. She stressed the need for a major effort to attract untapped talent to the emerging semiconductor domain.One effective solution discussed was mentoring. Le Lan de Franssu shared how a mentoring program can help make diverse talent more visible. She noted that companies working together, such as the collaboration between Synopsys and Infineon on a summer school, helps not only with their own hiring needs but for the broader semiconductor industry. Wolfgruber agreed, stating that a wide range of communities already exists to help companies widen their scope and influence culture; it's simply a matter of companies leveraging them.The Future of a Diverse EcosystemThe panel concluded with a shared vision for the future. The moderator, Srivastava, summarized the key takeaways: a need for greater collaboration between industry and academia, the importance of mentoring, and a continued focus on leveraging research that proves diverse teams produce the best results.Dr. Lesecq shared her hope that Europe will continue to keep this mindset and implement it, seeing inclusion as a societal change that everyone must push for to create a "place for everyone."This panel discussion, along with initiatives like the Spark Excellence Award, serves as a powerful reminder that while technology is at the heart of the semiconductor industry, its true strength lies in the diversity of its people.Learn more about the European Chips Diversity Alliance. For more information, contact Ana Isabel Billingslea at [email protected] or Kartikey Srivastava at [email protected] Isabel Billingslea is Communications Coordinator at SEMI Europe.