RebelCon: Bridging Tech, Innovation, and Inclusion

In the ever-evolving world of tech and business, the need for connection, collaboration, and fresh perspectives is more important than ever. Stephanie Sheehan, Senior Director of Engineering is an exceptional leader for us and a unifying force. She first founded RebelCon in 2017, a not-for-profit technology conference run by the developer community for the developer community. It is a dynamic and engaging software conference that brings hands-on practitioners together with big thinkers.  

With Stephanie’s background in software development and a passion for fostering innovation, she saw a gap in the industry, there weren’t enough spaces where technology professionals could come together to share knowledge, challenge conventional thinking, and build meaningful connections. RebelCon was born out of her desire to create an inclusive, collaborative environment where people from all corners of the tech world could learn, grow, and inspire one another. 

Held annually in the vibrant city of Cork, it gathers industry leaders, thought-provoking speakers, and an enthusiastic community to explore the latest trends and challenges in technology and beyond. True to its name, RebelCon embodies the rebellious spirit of Cork, offering a platform for individuals and organizations to question the status quo, innovate, and drive impactful change. 

This year, the theme centered around one of the most critical topics in today’s tech landscape: sustainability. “As the tech industry continues to grow, so does our responsibility to ensure that the software we build not only meets today’s needs but also contributes to a more sustainable future.” says Stephanie. 

This year, Divya Bansal, Director of Engineering, took the stage as one of the keynote speakers, captivating the audience with her deep insights and practical guidance. Known for her compassionate leadership and dedication to fostering a mindful work environment, Divya emphasised the importance of responsible AI development. Her inspiring presentation shed light on addressing bias in data and highlighted how these principles have shaped our journey, culminating in the launch of the innovative AI Assistant. Sharing the behind the scenes story of this milestone was a proud moment for Divya and the Workhuman team in attendance, who were thrilled to see their commitment to ethical innovation recognised on such a prominent stage. 

As mentioned in the session, the main key takeaway of Divya’s talk was the importance of building AI use cases that prioritise human needs, align with social conditions, and focus on neutralising biases to ensure inclusivity and fairness. A critical element discussed was the pivotal role of data, emphasising that it must be diverse and representative to develop effective and equitable AI models. This approach was highlighted as essential for leaders driving AI initiatives, enabling them to lead with responsibility, purpose, and awareness while making informed decisions about productionizing AI systems. This was further highlighted through examples of Workhuman’s efforts in embedding inclusion into their platform. The Inclusion Advisor feature detects unconscious bias in award messages, providing valuable feedback to senders and generating actionable insights for talent leaders to foster awareness of bias in recognition practices. Additionally, Workhuman introduced AI Assistant with innovative capabilities in talent intelligence by making human-centered insights and recommendations accessible, such as identifying the most frequently mentioned skills within a team or analysing the impact of recognition programs on employee retention. These examples underscore the transformative potential of AI in advancing equitable and purposeful workplace solutions. 

However, Divya’s talk wasn’t just about technical expertise; it was a celebration of leadership, women in tech, and mums in tech. By bringing her amazing daughter along for the day, she made it personal and brought it back to her roots about being a compassionate leader that is passionate about work life balance and resilience.  

Under Stephanie’s guidance, RebelCon has grown into a thriving community event, showcasing top industry speakers, hands-on workshops, and cutting-edge ideas. It’s a testament to her commitment to innovation and her dedication to creating a space where the tech community can come together to drive meaningful change. RebelCon is more than a conference; it’s a catalyst for growth, learning, and innovation. Whether you're attending for the first time or you're a returning "Rebel," this is your opportunity to explore, engage, and excel. 

Thank you to Stephanie and Divya for representing Workhuman at this inspiring event, here’s to RebelCon 2025.