OMSCS Speaker Series

Description: Leadership doesn’t begin with a title—it begins with a mission. In today’s academic and professional environments, the ability to align your work with a clear purpose, communicate effectively, and build trust enables you to lead from where you are, regardless of role. This talk explores the Mission-First Mindset, a framework for turning output into influence and accelerating career growth. We’ll discuss why visibility and transparency matter, how communication creates trust, and why leadership is about more than KPIs. Through real-world insights and lessons learned from mission-driven environments, you’ll gain practical strategies to:

• Lead through clarity and accountability.
• Turn work into trust and trust into impact.
• Build habits that strengthen visibility and credibility.

Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your academic journey, this session will equip you with a foundational framework for long-term success.

Bio: Kristen Perez is a strategic content marketing and communications manager specializing in AI, accelerated computing, and sustainable computing. She develops audience-first, evergreen strategies that establish thought leadership, educate key stakeholders, and influence industry conversations. At NVIDIA, Kristen drives both external content programs—targeting tech press, IT leaders, and practitioners—and internal communications strategies that align teams and amplify core messaging across the enterprise marketing organization.

Blending technical depth with clear, accessible storytelling, she transforms complex topics into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Passionate about sustainability in technology, Kristen champions initiatives around energy efficiency, waste reduction, and liquid cooling for data center and AI infrastructure.