As a Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, Denise Mendez is a tech trailblazer, specializing in the convergence of Mixed Reality (MR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). She has worked at Nasa, Motorola, and Magic Leap. She solves complex engineering challenges, optimizes for productivity, processes and scale, and creates software solutions to propel products and systems forward.

Her impact extends to the community as a board member of BASE, South Florida’s STEM ecosystem, where her leadership contributes to the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. She’s spearheads cross organizational and industry collaborations that bring together the best of today’s technology to prepare students and educators for the future of work. She is an entrepreneur, mother, avid mountain biker, runner, and award-winning potter and speaker.