Anne Cirkel recognized for advancing role of women in electronics design
Anne Cirkel, senior director for technology marketing at Mentor and a former chair of the Design Automation Conference, is to receive the 2018 Marie R. Pistilli Award. The award recognizes her long-standing contribution to advancing the role of women in electronic design.
Before joining Mentor, Anne’s career included positions at Analogy, Viewlogic, and Berner & Mattner. She chaired DAC in 2015, after serving on its Executive Committee for several years beforehand, and drove the foundation of Tech Design Forum journal of which she has remained a key supporter since its move into independent ownership. She has also played major roles at Design Automation and Test in Europe and Embedded World.
“[Anne] energetically evangelized DAC by blogging weekly for the entire year leading up to the conference — which was one of the best attended in the past several years — growing it by over 18% in two years,” said McKenzie Ross, chair of the Worldwide Women in Electronic Design (WWED) committee.
“On behalf of the DAC Executive Committee, our WWED committee members, and everyone in the EDA community, I congratulate Anne on this well-deserved achievement.”
Wally Rhines, CEO and president of Mentor, said, “I’m delighted that Anne’s contributions to our industry are being honored with this prestigious award. She has been a tireless advocate within Mentor for the design automation community and its flagship conference.
“As one of our most senior female executives, she is a superb role model for the leadership generations to come.”
For Tech Design Forum, Paul Dempsey, editor-in-chief, said, “Without Anne’s drive, guidance and friendship, Tech Design Forum simply would not exist, nor would it have the template that has fueled its longevity.
“We are delighted that this thoroughly-deserved honor acknowledges her contribution to increasing and enhancing the role of women in electronic design, and her evangelism of our industry generally. Congratulations from the entire team.”
The Marie R. Pistilli Women in Electronic Design Award is made annually. It is named for the late Marie R. Pistilli, former organizer of DAC, who placed a high value on equality, diversity, and acceptance. A list of previous recipients and details on how to nominate a colleague for next year’s award can be found here.
This year’s award ceremony will take place during the 55th DAC in San Francisco on Monday, June 25.