We are pleased to share that the first-ever Spark Excellence Award was awarded to Cassandra Melvin during the CxO Summit at SEMICON Europa, and presented by Isabella Drolz.

Chosen from a strong pool of seven outstanding nominees, Cassandra was recognized by the Diversity in Chips Leadership Board as the standout candidate for this year’s award. 

A passionate advocate for DEI, Cassandra has designed and led impactful initiatives across the ecosystem—including the SEMI Talent Forum, ChipQuest Challenge, NextGen Talent, and the PAS Gender Diversity Survey—creating equitable pathways into the industry and elevating DEI principles across Europe’s semiconductor landscape. She has also driven SEMI Europe’s efforts to make the industry more diverse and inclusive, while championing platforms where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.

Cassandra has played a pivotal role in guiding European Chips Diversity Alliance‘s strategic efforts to foster inclusive practices and strengthen Europe’s microelectronics talent pipeline. She continues to lead with a people-centered approach grounded in inclusivity, empowerment, and the belief that “when you prioritize people, they take care of the business.”

We are proud to celebrate Cassandra’s inspiring contributions and her well-deserved recognition as the first Spark Excellence Award winner!