Actress, writer, producer and director Mindy Kaling was the keynote speaker at the big "Watermark Conference for Women Silicon Valley" held at the San Jose Convention Center.
The annual event is put on by Watermark, an organization of executive women dedicated to getting more women representation in executive ranks.
About 6,000, primarily women, took part in the conference that featured numerous workshops and seminars.
U.S. Olympic women's soccer star Abby Wambach was also a featured speaker at the luncheon emceed by NBC Bay Area anchor Jessica Aguirre.
Wambach applauded the move by current women soccer players to achieve pay equity and encouraged conference attendees to get more involved in women issues.
The big attraction at the conference was Kaling, who was a star as well as co-executive producer and writer for the hit TV show 'The Office' and is also the star and creative force of 'The Mindy Project' on Hulu.
Kaling talked about her rise as well as obstacles she faced in the television industry as well as feelings on being a popular role model for many women especially teenagers and Asian Americans.
Local
Kaling also conducted an exclusive interview with "Asian Pacific America With Robert Handa," which will air first on Sunday, April 24 at 5:30 am on NBC Bay Area and at 6 p.m. on NBC's COZI TV.
The extended talk will also be available on the Asian Pacific America With Robert Handa website and NBCbayarea.com
