Sylvia Acevedo
Director, Qualcomm, Cerdo Technology
Sylvia Acevedo is a technology executive, board leader, and author whose career bridges engineering, business, and national impact. She began as a rocket scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and went on to hold senior executive roles at Apple, Autodesk, Dell, and IBM. Today, she serves on the boards of Qualcomm and Credo Technology, helping guide companies at the forefront of AI infrastructure, advanced connectivity, and high-performance computing.
As CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, Sylvia led the organization’s most significant modernization in its history, launching more than 140 new programs and expanding STEM education across the country. Earlier, as a White House Education Commissioner, she helped shape federal education initiatives that reached millions of families.
A bestselling author and sought-after global speaker, Sylvia Acevedo is the author of Path to the Stars, a middle school memoir, and The Trailblazer’s Playbook, written for ambitious professionals. Her work integrates personal experience with practical, high-performance leadership frameworks. She holds engineering degrees from New Mexico State University and Stanford University, and has been awarded multiple honorary doctorates, including an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Duke University, as well as honorary doctorates from St. Mary’s College and Washington College.
Final Days to Save $1,500
on NACD Directors Summit™
2026 Registration
Register by Thursday, April 30 to take advantage of this exclusive discounted pricing.
October 11-14, 2026
The Gaylord National Harbor | Washington, DC Area
