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 Imperative
The 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 Inclusion
The 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 Ecosystem
The 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]
Ana Isabel Billingslea is Communications Coordinator at SEMI Europe.
