Mott MacDonald

Support project coordination and technical review activities for Utah Transit Authority rail fleet programs. Work with vendor engineering teams to review design documentation, clarify requirements, and ensure compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory expectations. Contribute to issue tracking, risk discussions, and project communication across internal and external stakeholders.

Project Manager - Rolling Stock

School of Rock Salt Lake City

Co-own and operate a performance-based music education studio serving the Salt Lake City region. Responsible for business strategy, staffing, operational systems, local partnerships, financial planning, and student program development. Focused on building a sustainable, community-centered learning environment that develops confident young musicians.

Co-Owner / General Manager

Writing Architect

Provided brand messaging, website content, and conversion-focused marketing copy for small and mid-sized businesses.

Owner / Copywriter

JKD Products Inc

Served as the sole engineer responsible for electrical and mechanical product design across custom trailer and equipment builds. Converted functional requirements into manufacturable wiring harness and component layouts, coordinated directly with fabrication and assembly teams, and supported testing, troubleshooting, and iterative refinement through release.

Design Engineering Manager

Designed wiring harness systems and electrical layouts for commercial trailer products. Coordinated with suppliers and production teams to implement manufacturing-ready designs.

Electrical Design Engineer

Stadler US

Supported train system integration, resolving cross-system electrical compatibility and performance issues. Worked directly with OEM engineering teams to align design packages with U.S. regulatory and operational requirements.

Electrical Systems Engineer II

Led on-site commissioning and testing of passenger rail vehicles, coordinating issue identification and resolution across propulsion, control, and safety systems. Facilitated collaboration between shop technicians, systems engineers, and vendor reps to meet delivery milestones and acceptance criteria.

Electrical Commissioning Engineer

NJ TRANSIT

Maintained, diagnosed, and repaired electromechanical and control systems across passenger rail equipment. Interpreted technical specifications, wiring diagrams, and system documentation to ensure safe, compliant operations. Collaborated with operations, maintenance, and safety teams to return rail assets to service efficiently and reliably.

Electrician

US Navy

As a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, I qualified through one of the most rigorous technical training pipelines in the military. I maintained, operated, and troubleshot electrical systems within a high-reliability naval nuclear propulsion environment, performing both preventive and corrective maintenance on power distribution equipment, control circuitry, and safety systems. The role demanded strict adherence to procedures, precise technical documentation, and consistent systems discipline. My time in the Navy built habits of accountability, attention to detail, and composure under pressure — habits that continue to shape how I approach engineering work today.

Electrician's Mate (Nuclear)

I help digital coaches/consultants attract high-quality clients with scalable marketing systems | Marketing Copywriter + Electrical Systems Engineer | 5% goes to Whale and Dolphin Conservation

I’ve always been drawn to how things connect — systems, processes, people, and the ideas that keep them moving.

I began my career in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate, where I learned to work with high-reliability systems, uncompromising standards, and the kind of discipline that only comes from environments where mistakes aren’t optional. That foundation shaped how I approach technical work and responsibility today.

After the Navy (and a lot of subsequent schooling in physics and engineering), I continued building my career in complex transportation and engineering environments. I moved into hands-on electrical systems work in passenger rail operations and later took on roles in commissioning and systems integration.

Today, I work in multi-stakeholder project coordination and technical review for rail fleet programs while also co-owning School of Rock Salt Lake City, where I manage daily operations, program development, and community engagement. Operating a business alongside a technical career has sharpened my ability to understand people, prioritize decisions, and stay accountable for outcomes.

Earning my Professional Engineer (PE) license has deepened my sense of accountability, not just to technical standards, but also to the people and systems those standards serve.

My goal is to continue bridging the gap between engineering precision and people-centered management, and to grow into a leader who brings clarity, empathy, and structure to complex environments.

Learning to lead through systems and people.

Cian Earls 🐬

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute!

Cian Earls

Utah PE + PMP | Electrical Engineer & Business Owner | Learning to Lead Through Systems & People

Big milestone today.
I officially earned my Professional Engineer (PE) license.

It’s been a long road getting here,
and for a while, I’d given up on the idea.
I thought it wasn’t meant to be.

Between the strict requirements, full-time work, starting a business,
and finding my footing again after a few career detours,
it more often than not felt out of reach.

But every setback became part of the process.
Every late night.
Every moment of self-doubt.
Every small win that eventually added up to something that mattered.

Engineering, for me, has always been about connection and trust.
Earning my PE has deepened that sense of accountability.
It’s not just about technical precision.
It’s about integrity, clarity, and the impact behind every decision.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come,
and excited (and grateful) to continue learning to lead.

My daughter was born last week,
and it’s made me reflect on what
my other two kids have already taught me.

Lessons about patience and presence.
Lessons about slowing down in a fast world.

The truth is, my kids have taught me 
more about leadership than
any course or title ever could.

Being a parent requires sacrifice,
the kind that asks you to put others first,
not once, but every single day.

And I’ve learned that real leadership is similar.
Long-term outcomes are built on quiet, consistent sacrifices
that no one sees except the people you’re showing up for.

With another little one joining us,
I’m reminded that learning to lead
starts and ends at home.

What have your kids (or the people you care for) taught you about leadership?

Something I’ve been noticing:

A lot of stress in projects comes from assumptions rather than disagreements.

When expectations are clear, work feels lighter.
When expectations are vague, even small tasks feel heavy.

Clarity isn’t flashy, but it changes everything.

Sometimes, people get under your skin.

They miss details.
They give pushback.
They don't listen.
They don't follow through.
They make poor decisions.

And the natural instinct is ALWAYS to react.

But good leadership is the opposite of reaction. 

It's the ability to slow down instinct:
the power to overcome the moment,
setting the tone for everything else.

Not because you’re above it,
but because you’re responsible for it.

It's not about control of others.
It’s about control of yourself.

How do you slow yourself down before reacting?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what it means to lead. 
Not in a title sense, but in the everyday sense. 

How you respond when things get messy. 
How you communicate when you’re frustrated.
How you balance systems, people, and expectations 
when all three pull you in different directions. 

Those are the moments that shape your leadership style 
and mold the culture around you. 

What does good leadership look like to you these days?

Forbes & Business Insider-Featured Community Builder | Personal Branding Strategist | Forbes Nonprofit Council | Podcast Host "Verso Talk with Aytakin" | Double Gold Award Winner I Top100 Women in Tech by KSV |

💔 I moved to Silicon Valley with only $300 left in my pocket—and found myself walking door to door in San Francisco, begging for low-income jobs at restaurants, daycares, and elder care homes.

The hardest part?
I had just graduated in Social Media Marketing in the U.S., yet I couldn’t access the career I dreamed of. No guidance. No network. No money for coaching. Just rejection after rejection.

But I refused to let that be the end of my story. I rebuilt my career and broke into Fortune 500 tech companies—Instagram, Meta, NVIDIA & HTC VIVE.

At the same time, I built the Femigrants Foundation into a 30,000+ global community of founders, entrepreneurs, and tech leaders. Over the years, I’ve:

- Produced 200+ events in San Francisco, New York, London & Paris (from private dinners to global forums with 300+ attendees).
- Partnered with 50+ organizations across tech, investment & entrepreneurship.
- Led 150+ team members to deliver inclusive, high-impact experiences.
- Been featured in Forbes (twice), Business Insider, Yahoo Finance (twice), AP News, London Daily, and more.
- Received Global Awards in the U.K. & U.S.A

Now, I dedicate my work to making sure no immigrant, founder, or expat has to feel as invisible as I once did.

1️⃣ Community Building & Event Management
Companies often struggle to design communities or host events that drive loyalty, influence, and meaningful connections. I offer:

- Elegant, high-impact events—from curated leadership dinners to global forums.
- Community growth strategies that build loyal, engaged ecosystems.
- End-to-end management—from strategy and promotion to flawless delivery.

2️⃣ Personal Branding for Founders & Leaders
Too many entrepreneurs, executives, and expats remain invisible—overlooked by investors, clients, and partners in a noisy digital world. 

I offer:
- A LinkedIn strategy that attracts investors, partners, and press.
- Thought leadership positioning that elevates your influence.
- Access to speaking, media, and leadership opportunities.

3️⃣ Relocation & Access to Silicon Valley
Global founders, expats, and tech leaders often feel lost—without networks, guidance, or access to the right opportunities. 

I offer:
- Relocation guidance with insider tools and proven resources.
- Curated introductions to investors, mentors, and peer networks.
- Direct access to career opportunities, business growth, and Silicon Valley capital.

 If you’re building or growing a company, or preparing for your next big move, you don’t have to do it invisibly or alone!

👉 DM me to book a free 15-minute intro call.

Aytakin Aliyeva🌛

We DID it!!! We successfully launched the Femigrants Chapter in San Francisco!

See the red-carpet photos from the Femigrants AI forum at Autodesk in San Francisco.

“It was the most well-organized AI event in the Bay Area. Every detail was well thought out”,  said one of the guests from Stanford University.

“Every time I come to Femigrants event, I say this is the best one. But you know how to surprise us with your creativity because we say “this is your best event” at every event”, said our loyal community member.

“I feel embarrassed that I didn't know about this organization. How could I miss events of such a powerful community before?!” said the guest.

Yes! At Femigrants, we don't just do trending topic events; we create unique and memorable experiences, we make an impact, we create opportunities for partnerships, collaboration, empowerment, and support.

I can't thank enough the sponsors, donors, champions, speakers, volunteers, and guests for making it happen!

Special thanks to Vikram Dutt and Katie at Autodesk, Consul Generals of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan - Vugar Gurbanov, Levan Kulijanishvili, Nazira Nurbayeva, donors - Dr. Ezgi Atay & Michelle Le Ma, Femigrants Champions - Elizabeth Premazzi, Katerina Abdrashitova, Alice Larisa Wilms, Peter Novak, for all your support!

Special thanks to our amazing MC, and Femigrants' most supportive community leader Tiffany Odutoye, PMP, M.Ed., for coming all the way from Baltimore to lead the forum.

Thank you to all the speakers, Anand Raghavan, Sanam (Amidi) Amidhozour, Dani Weinstein, MBA, Arek Zarowski, Nisarg Brahmbhatt, Peter Kovacs, Rashi Agrawal, ✨Madhavi Rajan.

I can’t thank enough, Femigrants Business Development Leader, Mansi Shah, FRM, who joined our team recently and worked shoulder to shoulder with me day and night to organize this event. I'm grateful for having you in the team, Mansi.

Thank you to our volunteers Hanieh Attari, Myra Nawabi, Aynura Fattayeva, and Aysel!  

Thank you, Mir Kanan Hasanzade, for your support, and to all guests and members for joining and supporting us.

Thank you, Dean Birinyi, for the collaboration and amazing photos!

More photos (speakers & networking) and videos of the forum are coming soon! 

Follow me for more content on growing a community of global female immigrants in tech, startups, and business. 

*Subscribe to the Femigrants Connect newsletter to be informed first about our events and programs and how you can get involved.

https://lnkd.in/gt2DY5rE

TRANSFORMING GLOBAL FOUNDERS & EXPAT LEADERS W/ VISIBILITY, AUTHORITY & SILICON VALLEY ACCESS | Personal Branding Strategist | Forbes-Featured & Award Winning Community Builder | Elegant Event Experiences for Immigrants

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Photos from the Femigrants AI & Strategic Partnership event, generously sponsored by Autodesk in SF last Friday!

100 global immigrant leaders in the same room.
Rooms like this are rare.

- 🇦🇿🇬🇪🇰🇿 Consul Generals of three countries:
Azerbaijan, Georgia, & Kazakhstan 
- VPs from Autodesk, Cisco, Plug & Play, etc
- Founders, investors, and global executives
- Leaders from billion-dollar startups

The experience? 

Thoughtful and elegant:
- from a shared lunch
- to a dessert and coffee break
- to an evening cocktail reception
- to a red-carpet moment to feel seen

If there’s one thing I hope people take away from this:

When people come together with intention,
the impossible becomes possible.
 
When a community believes in each other,
doors open that none of us could open alone.

To everyone who joined us, THANK YOU!

Your presence made the room what it was.
You turned it into something unforgettable.

Special thanks to Vikram Dutt & Katie Harrell at Autodesk, 
Consul Generals of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan - Vugar Gurbanov, Levan Kulijanishvili, Nazira Nurbayeva, donors - Dr. Ezgi Atay & Michelle Le Ma, Femigrants Champions - Elizabeth Premazzi, Katerina Abdrashitova, Alice Larisa Wilms, Peter Novak, Mir Kanan Hasanzade.

Special thanks to our speakers Tiffany Odutoye, PMP, M.Ed., Anand Raghavan, Sanam (Amidi) Amidhozour, Dani Weinstein, MBA, Arek Zarowski, Nisarg Brahmbhatt, Peter Kovacs, Rashi Agrawal, ✨Madhavi Rajan

Thank you to our team, Mansi Shah, FRM - who worked hard together with me, Hanieh Attari, Myra Nawabi, Aynura Fattayeva, Aysel, Azar Aghasiyev & Dean Birinyi (red-carpet photographer).

And of course, thank you to my family - Ibrahim Aliyev and kids for their continuous support to take Femigrants Foundation this far!

P.S. To stay up to date on the Femigrants events and programs, subscribe to
Femigrants Connect Newsletter -https://lnkd.in/gddapH9U

Last week, I joined the Founder Fuel Gala Dinner at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco — a beautiful evening curated by one of the intentional community builders I know, Mohammad Hasham, CPA, CA, CMA.

He’s one of the very few event organizers whose invitations I don’t question :).

If I see his name, I only need to check the date and venue.

Because I already know the room will be full of the right people and the energy will be genuine.

Having this event during the holiday season made it even more special.

Seeing friends after a long time — all dressed up, glowing, hugging, catching up…

Meeting new founders and leaders with such inspiring energy…
It added another layer of joy to the night.

The program opened with sponsors and partners sharing their mission, and it all closed with live music and dancing — the kind of moment where you feel collective happiness in the room.

Nights like this remind me why I do what I do.
 
Community building is not about events. 

- It’s about creating rooms where people feel seen, supported, elevated, and inspired to grow. 
- It’s about bringing immigrants, founders, innovators, and leaders together so none of us have to walk this journey alone.

I’m grateful to Mohammad Hasham, CPA, CA, CMA, and his incredible team for creating a space that reflects this vision so beautifully.

And huge appreciation to all the sponsors and partners who made this gathering possible.

Photos are taken by my fav photographer, Ken Hamel Photo! 📸

More rooms like this.
More connections.
More community.

We spend 365 days running… and almost zero days remembering why.

Thanksgiving is the one moment that forces me to pause.
To breathe.
To reflect.

Every year, I invite 5–7 families to my home.
We share food.
We laugh.
And we answer two simple questions:

1. What am I grateful for this year?
2. What do I wish for next year?

Then we always end up teasing each other about what we said last year.
(I truly believe collective prayers work.)

This time, I want to publicly express my gratitude.

I’m grateful to God — for every opportunity, every lesson, every challenge, and every person He brought into my life.

I’m grateful to my family — for standing with me in both good days and hard days.

And I’m grateful to YOU ALL — my LinkedIn community, Femigrants community, board, sponsors, donors, volunteers, speakers, partners, and supporters.

If I tagged everyone, it would be thousands of people.

So let me say this loudly to all of you:

Thank you.
Thank you.
And thank you — for being part of my journey.

P.S. Yesterday, our community member Anya Belova, founder of ALOVA, sent me these beautiful flowers to express her gratitude.

Moments like this remind me how special it is to have kind, attentive, appreciative people in your circle.
People who notice.
People who give back.
People who truly care.

I wish you to be surrounded with people who notice and truly cares.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. 
🧡

P.S. What are you grateful for this year?

Aytakin (Ika) Aliyeva 
Founder, Femigrants Foundation

I’ve always believed that how we dress is more than fashion.

It’s messaging.

Yes… I take dressing up very seriously.

Because elegance is confidence.
And confidence is influenced.

This time, the outfit meant even more.

The dress I wore at the Femigrants AI Forum Reception at Autodesk is designed by our community member, Anya.

Anya Belova is an immigrant founder who started her company Alova… while pregnant.

Imagine that.

Starting a business.
Carrying a child.

It is like taking care of twins.

Her vision:

Design clothes that make WOMEN feel POWERFUL, ELEGANT, & SEEN.

That’s the kind of story I prefer to wear on my body.

When I stepped onto the stage in her dress,
it wasn’t just beautiful.

It was symbolic.

It was a reminder that when immigrant women build, they build with heart, resilience, and a level of determination that you can feel in every stitch.

I’m proud to wear Alova.

I’m even more proud to support an immigrant founder who embodies everything we stand for at Femigrants.

If you’d like to support her vision, check out her website and explore her designs.

Every purchase supports a woman-owned immigrant business with a powerful story.

Visit Alova and show some love to her business.
🔗 The link is in the comments.

Most people spend YEARS trying to meet a VP, diplomat, or investor.

You can meet all of them in ONE afternoon.

I’m sharing a new Autodesk video + announcing more speakers…

because if you’re even considering joining us at the Global Leaders Forum,
you’re running out of time.

Here’s the reality:
Access beats talent. Access beats effort. Access beats everything.

You can cold-message 100 leaders… or walk into a room where they’re literally shaking your hand.

This room includes:
	•	Autodesk executives
	•	VPs from Cisco, IBM, Plug & Play
	•	Global diplomats
	•	Investors + high-growth founders
	•	Partners who can change your next 12 months

And yes — you’ll also enjoy an Autodesk-sponsored Mediterranean menu, premium drinks, AND a red-carpet photo experience.
(SF lunches cost more than this ticket.)

⚠️ Seats are disappearing fast. Once we hit capacity, doors close.

Secure your spot before it’s gone.

🔗 Reserve your seat now: https://luma.com/zn1cml2j

I never planned to become an event creator.
Silicon Valley events pushed me into it. 😅

I kept attending events where:
- 🍕 the pizza was cold
- 🥗 there were salads but no forks
- 🪑 zero seats so everyone stood for 2 hours
 - 🎤 the same “fake VCs” repeated the same stories every month (yes… it happens!)

After continuous disappointments, I finally said:
 “ I can do better than this.”

So I created the first Femigrants event.
Then another.
Then fifty more.

And the Femigrants brand slowly became known for:
- great food
- elegant setups
- curated guest list
- selective speakers
- welcoming, warm atmosphere
- actual networking (not just standing around)
- and yes… and yes MOST of the time, a red carpet

People now tell me:
 “When I see Femigrants, I already know it will be beautiful, organized, and worth showing up for.”

And this November, I tested myself even more.
I organized 3 events in one month:
- 2 Femigrants Chapter Launches
- 1 Startup Friends & Family Event

I survived. They thrived. And every single one was elegant. 

So if your startup or company wants an event that doesn’t involve cold pizza, missing forks, or awkward “VCs”… I’ve got you.

I handle:
 - 🍷 drinks + bar
 - 🍽️ food + caterers
 - 📸 photo & video
 - 🎨 decor, art & aesthetic
 - 🤝 vendor coordination (aka “saving you from chaos”)

If you want an event people remember — for the right reasons — message me.

I, Aytakin Aliyeva🌛, built a community of global female immigrant leaders, Femigrants Foundation, and host elegant and memorable event experiences in Silicon Valley.

Big News! 

Autodesk sponsors the full food catering for our Global Leaders Forum: AI & Strategic Partnerships on Nov 14 at the Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco! 🎉

You’ll enjoy an Autodesk-sponsored 3-course Mediterranean dining experience by LaleSF (a Femigrant-owned restaurant) featuring 

- a buffet-style lunch with salads, appetizers, and a choice of protein
- coffee & organic tea break with pastries including Turkish baklava
- a wine reception with appetizers and light food

 Plus, a red-carpet photo session by Dean Birinyi and the opportunity to connect with global diplomats, Fortune 500 executives, investors, and startup founders shaping the future of AI and innovation.

🎤 Speakers include:

Opening remarks
- Nazira Nurbayeva, Consul General of Kazakhstan
- Vugar Gurbanov, Consul General of Azerbaijan
- Levan Kulijanishvili, Consul General of Georgia

Keynote & Panel Speakers
- Vikram Dutt, VP, Autodesk
- Anand Raghavan, VP of AI Products, Cisco
- Sanam (Amidi) Amidhozour Amidi, VP, Plug and Play
- ✨Madhavi Rajan Rajan, Rackspace Technology
- Dani Weinstein, MBA , IBM TechXchange
- Rashi Agrawal, Hinge Health
- Arek Zarowski, FPV Ventures (Forbes 30U30)

- Tiffany Odutoye, PMP, M.Ed., CEO of Virtual Partner Global, returns as our MC

It’s not every day you get this many global leaders — with food, wine, and red-carpet perks — all in one room in Silicon Valley. 

Come, connect, stay for the billion-dollar connections and create powerful partnerships.

💸 Tickets start at just $65+ (yes, a lunch in SF costs that much alone!)

 🎟️ 50% OFF Supporter & VIP — use code AUTODESK50
 🎟️ 30% OFF Femigrants Member tickets — use code AUTODESK30

⏰ Offer ends Nov 12, midnight PST

https://luma.com/zn1cml2j

P.S. On behalf of the Femigrants Foundation, I express my gratitude to dear Vikram Dutt & Katie Harrell, for your incredible partnership.

Excited to share that I’ll be joining the One Way Summit in San Francisco.
A gathering fully dedicated to immigrant founders, investors, and operators.

And you already know… anything that brings immigrant leaders together speaks directly to my heart.

It aligns with my mission and the work we’ve been building at the Femigrants Foundation for years.

A huge thank you to Anna Yuan for the special invitation. 🙏

I truly appreciate being included in a space that celebrates the grit, resilience, and brilliance of immigrant entrepreneurs. 

I can’t wait to connect with so many of you at the summit.

This room will bring together 450+ immigrant and global founders, GPs, LPs, and operators — plus leaders from companies like Slack, Lyft, Branch, Mercury, and top firms including TECH WEEK by a16z, Khosla Ventures, DCVC, and more.

It’s exactly the kind of ecosystem I care about building — where immigrant voices aren’t sidelined… they’re center stage.

📅 December 10, 2025
📍 The Commonwealth Club, San Francisco
🌍 Organized by One Way Ventures

DM me for the code. 
 👉 https://lnkd.in/gRzA74cA

Note: *This is NOT an official partnership of the Femigrants Foundation with the One Way Summit. 

Can’t wait to meet many of you in person and celebrate the global talent shaping the future.

People see the photos.
They don’t see the battlefield behind them.

In less than 4 weeks, I pulled off 3 high-stakes events:

- Femigrants chapter launch in a brand-new market
- Another launch in a completely different market
- A paid partner’s 200+ guest startup event — scheduled one day before our Autodesk event


What happens behind the scenes:
• rebuilding vendor lists overnight
• replacing speakers in hours, not weeks
• negotiating with venues while answering 50 DMs
• solving problems people never even knew existed
• keeping everyone calm while your mind is juggling 10 fires at once
• delivering an elegant experience no matter what happens backstage

And through it all, my brain kept whispering:
“Maybe this is the month you fail…”

But every morning I gave myself ONE command:
“All three events will succeed.
You will handle everything.
Keep going.”

And they did.

Not because everything came easy,
but because I refused to let fear take the mic.

Lesson learned:
Your brain quits before you do.
Tell it a BETTER story.
BELIEVE in your ability first, and watch
how fast others start believing in you, too.

Now, I celebrate all three successful events not only in public,
but also internally in my brain.

—
P.S. If your startup or business needs someone who can design, manage, and execute high-pressure dinners, brunches, private events, or launch experiences 

I’m the person founders call when the room has to look elegant, run smoothly, and leave a lasting impression.

Send me a message. 
Let’s build something unforgettable.

Honored to share that I’ll speak at the “Show Her The Money” Film Screening & Women in Tech Panel on December 11 in Palo Alto.

This topic matters to me because I work with immigrant women founders every day — brilliant women building real companies. 

But still overlooked in a system where women receive less than 2% of VC funding. 

That number is a barrier I see up close.

It’s also a proud moment to share the stage with Femigrants community members Hila Lauterbach and Lital Cohen.

I’ll be joining an incredible lineup of leaders including:
- Cathy Shachaf – Founder & Co-CEO, Orlucent | Director, INTRO Life Sciences
- Alana Karen – Award-Winning Leader & Best-Selling Author
- Irina Berkon – CFO, Metallicus | Investor, Global Seeds
- Margarette Ell-Kesselman – Executive Director, Russian Speaking Women in Tech
- Dr. Lisa Dolev – Founder & CEO, Qylur Intelligent Systems and CATS2

Moderated by Lital Cohen – Founder of CORE & Communications Coach, Stanford. 

Hosted by Meytar Sorek-Hamer – Founder & CEO, ENVIDAH and Hila Lauterbach – Co-Founder, 10XGTM

We’re not gathering to repeat the 2% problem.
We’ll talk about how we move that number forward.

If you care about founders, funding, and real change, this is a conversation worth joining. 

DM me for the link to register.

A promise turned into something unbelievable…

Last year, I promised myself to create a room of
successful and powerful immigrant leaders that I didn't have access to 15 years ago.

That promise took me to successfully launch the Femigrants’ biggest Annual Forum 2025 of 250+ global leaders hosted by Microsoft.

Guests called it “the most well-organized, detail-oriented, and successful event of Silicon Valley”. 

This year, I am more intentional. More ambitious.

Today, I’m proud to share a preview.

At the Femigrants Annual Forum 2026, “AI, Capital, and Partnership” we will be joined by:

- Diplomats representing 5 countries
- VC firms investing in immigrant founders
- CFOs shaping the future of financial leadership
- The founder of a billion-dollar robotics company
- 300+ global immigrant and expat leaders in startups, SMBs, and tech

If your company wants to stand beside the most influential global leaders in Silicon Valley…

Your team needs to be part of the Femigrants Annual Forum.

Partnership & sponsorship opportunities are now open.

DM me to put your brand in front of 300+ global diplomats, C-level executives, and leaders in startups, SMBs, and tech.

cc: Femigrants Foundation

💔 I didn’t build Femigrants Foundation  because I had a plan.

I built it because I had a story.

When I moved to America, I had no network, no community, no roadmap, and no one who looked like me in the rooms I dreamed of entering.

Like thousands of immigrants, I carried two suitcases:
- one with my clothes…
- and one with my dreams.

But dreams alone don’t help you find your first job.

They don’t help you understand a new system.
They don’t help you rebuild your confidence after you’ve left everything behind.

What helped?

People. Community. Someone believing in me before I believed in myself.

That’s why I created Femigrants — a place where immigrant women don’t have to knock on closed doors… because we build our own doors.

A place where no one feels “foreign”… because we all finally feel home.

Today is Giving Tuesday, and I’m asking for something I rarely ask for:

YOUR SUPPORT

Femigrants has grown from one immigrant woman with a vision…
to a global community of thousands who have:
- restarted careers
- built companies
- raised millions
- rebuilt confidence
- found mentors, partners, investors, and lifelong friends

But here is the truth most people don’t see:

Every event, every forum, every resource, every opportunity we create…
takes hundreds of hours, volunteers, and financial resources we don’t always have.

And yet, we never stop — because immigrants never stop.

If Femigrants has ever inspired you,
if you believe in the power of immigrant women,
if you want to be part of someone’s success story…

👉 Today is the day to stand with us.

No amount is small.
Every dollar helps someone rise.
Every donation becomes part of a chain reaction you might never even see — but someone will never forget.

Donate here: https://lnkd.in/eHms2kVN

Your kindness today will impact immigrant leaders for years to come.

Thank you for believing in us.
Thank you for believing in them.
Thank you for believing in what we’re building — together.

— Aytakin
Founder, Femigrants Foundation

#GivingTuesday #DonationMatch

I’m beyond excited to announce that Tiffany Odutoye, PMP, M.Ed. will be returning as the MC of our Global Leaders Forum: AI & Strategic Partnerships, hosted at Autodesk on November 14!

Tiffany flew all the way from Baltimore to MC our biggest forum yet at Microsoft in February 2025, where she captured hearts with her energy, grace, and authenticity.

Since then, we’ve continued working together on several projects behind the scenes — learning from each other, mentoring one another, and building a friendship rooted in shared values and complementary skills.

When I spoke with many potential MCs for this upcoming forum, I kept coming back to one name — Tiffany. 

Because Tiffany doesn’t join just to speak at the event… she speaks from the HEART OF Femigrants. ❤️

I can’t thank her enough for being the voice of our community, our supporters, and for being not just a collaborator — but a true friend and mentor.
That’s how partnerships and collaborations are built — through trust, shared purpose, and genuine connection.

🎟️ Join us at Femigrants’ Global Leaders Forum: AI & Strategic Partnerships on Nov 14 at Autodesk Gallery, San Francisco, and experience the power of relationships that lead to real collaborations.

https://luma.com/zn1cml2j 

DM me for the 40% discount code that I offer for my LinkedIn community only!

P.S. Femigrants is a global community of female immigrant leaders in tech, business, and startups.

This event is open to ALL genders.

Too many brilliant leaders — especially immigrants and expats — stay invisible.

Not because they lack talent.
But because they lack access, visibility, and the right rooms.

And I want to change it.

So this December, I’m slowing down.
Not to rest.
But to serve differently.

- No Femigrants events.
- No productions.
- No noise.

Just focused, high-impact 1:1 work with founders, executives, business owners, and partners who want clear strategy on:

• SPEAKING opportunities
• personal BRANDING & online VISIBILITY
• COMMUNITY building & high-trust growth
• EVENT management (internal/external, private or corporate)
• PARTNERSHIPS & collaborations
• ACCESS to SILICON VALLEY investors & networks
• RELOCATION for global founders & expat leaders

January will be a storm:
- Annual Forum preparations.
- Partner event productions.
- Corporate collaborations.
- Long-term clients.

So if you want support, clarity, or access—
December is the only month where I have space.

Here’s how we can meet:

📍 San Francisco — 3 paid consultation slots
📍 South Bay — 4–6 paid consultation slots
📍 East Bay — flexible (coffee, lunch meetup or full strategy session, as I live here)

If you refuse to stay invisible in 2026 —
DM me “December” and I’ll share my available times.

P.S. 
What’s the #1 area you want to strengthen in 2026 — your brand, your network, your community, or your events?

taplio

The Battle

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Aytakin Aliyeva🌛

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taplio

The Battle

Cian Earls 🐬

Aytakin Aliyeva🌛

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Cian Earls 🐬's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAytakin Aliyeva🌛's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreCian Earls 🐬's LinkedIn Performance