An Interactive Fireside Chat with Dr. Elena Hoffer, presented by AWIS Palo Alto Chapter and STEMPeers Bay Area Chapter.

Host: Dr. Marwa Zafarullah, Ph.D. (Neuroscientist, Stanford University, and Vice President of AWIS Palo Alto)

Guest: Dr. Elena Hoffer, Ph.D. (Founder & CEO, Alma.me)

About Dr. Elena Hoffer

Dr. Elena Hoffer earned her Ph.D. in Medicine from the prestigious Karolinska Institute. What began as a personal effort to share insights about PhD careers beyond academia has evolved into a global movement, transforming how thousands of researchers approach their professional journeys. As the founder of Alma.me, Dr. Hoffer has built a company dedicated to empowering PhD candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career professors as they transition into impactful industry roles. Her work helps researchers clarify career goals, build professional visibility, and confidently navigate non-academic career paths.

With a LinkedIn community of over 130,000 researchers worldwide, Dr. Hoffer is recognized as a leading voice in personal branding, networking, and career strategy for scientists. Her approach is practical, honest, and deeply empowering, helping researchers leverage LinkedIn as a powerful tool for opportunity, connection, and professional growth.

If you’re curious about leveraging LinkedIn more strategically for visibility, networking, and career growth, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

Topics Will Be Discussed:

How to use LinkedIn effectively: job searching, networking, and building a personal brand (becoming a thought leader in your field)

How to get started: clarifying your goals and understanding your target audience

How to engage with leaders in your field: practical strategies for outreach, commenting, and relationship-building

How LinkedIn can support the transition from academia to industry.

This online event is FREE.