Network Connectivity: Lena DeLaet on Building Summerfest Tech, Mentorship, and Her First Generation Journey
Lena DeLaet - Director of Sales and Summerfest Tech
Lena DeLaet is redefining what it means to be a woman in tech in Milwaukee. After receiving her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and English from Marquette University, Lena joined the team at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where she began to hone her skills as a relationship builder and professional connector. Following her time at the Journal Sentinel, and a year at Hearst Television, Lena transitioned her talents to Milwaukee World Festival, Inc, where she has leveraged her sales experience and community relationships to rise from Sponsorship Sales Manager to the Director of Sales and Summerfest Tech.
From the beginning, one segment of her role at MWF was to produce and expand a fresh initiative called Summerfest Tech, with a goal to “convene technologists, startups, investors, non-profits, and all other members of the tech ecosystem through a multi-day event.” Now celebrating its 8th annual conference, Summerfest Tech is now one of Milwaukee’s premier technology showcases, featuring talk tracks, keynotes, breakout sessions, a pitch competition, and networking events. During an interview with the Wisconsin Tech Council, Lena describes a key attendee as, “executives and leaders, technologists themselves including programmers and engineers, for engineers, and investors.”
FGPM is thrilled to welcome Lena DeLaet to our Community Leader Interview series.
In Part I of this Community Leader Interview, Lena discusses:
The importance of community service and bring proud of her impact across diverse organizations
The growth of Summerfest Tech from a three hour invite-only, pre-Summerfest-event, in collaboration with the Business Journal, to one of the premier tech conferences in the city
Leaning on the expertise of your network to craft impactful and relevant programming
Keeping Summerfest Tech inclusive, including across all aspects of the tech ecosystem and for entrepreneurs
How Summerfest Tech’s networking events impact both the tech community in Milwaukee and the industry across the Midwest
How Summerfest Tech serves and advances female tech founders and ensures that all voices are heard when planning the programming
Finally, we close Part I of this Interview with Lena describing one of the most important outcomes of Summerfest Tech: networking connections of aspiring tech professionals to leaders in the industry, and the generosity of its leaders with their time
In Part II of this Community Leader Interview, Lena discusses:
The impact of networking, and the lesser-known importance of internal networking throughout one’s career
How any amount of time in different jobs can be productive and can build a varied professional skillset
How intellectual curiosity and going above-and-beyond can accelerate career growth
Leaving a positive first impression as a young professional
Her best practices for young professionals to make meaningful connections at work, including positive participation and valuable input
The variety of mentorship engagement and the importance of supporting our mentee’s where they are at
Finally, we close by asking Lena what she loves about Milwaukee
Panelist:
Lena DeLaet, Director of Sales and Summerfest Tech
Moderator:
Molly Madonia, Founder and President, First Generation Professionals of Milwaukee Inc.
Recorded Monday, May 12, 2025
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