Manuela Papadopol

Manuela, or MP as she likes to be called, has dedicated her career to propelling the consumer technology landscape forward. With a steadfast focus on the automotive and consumer industries, she has become a pivotal force in the evolution towards highly automated driving. Originally from Romania, MP served as global marketing manager at Microsoft from 2006 to 2011, supporting Windows Embedded Automotive, Ford SYNC and other automotive initiatives, earning her recognition through the esteemed Microsoft Gold Star Award. Furthermore, she holds a patent for her innovative work at Microsoft in voice-activated acquisition of non-local content and has been the recipient of numerous industry accolades. Following her time at Microsoft she was head of business strategy and marketing for Elektrobit in Germany, developing that company’s strategic alliances with Ford, Microsoft, and Daimler. She’s also headed Sansea Consulting, startup Designated Driver and consulting firm Mantra.today. And she sits on the boards of She’s Mercedes, Udacity and is co-chair of the Washington State Safety Committee.