One year of European Chips Diversity Alliance: Interview with Isabella Drolz
July 09, 2025
What happens when academia and industry come together to tackle one of the biggest talent challenges in Europe? In the European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA), partners from across the EU are working to open up the semiconductor industry to new, diverse talent. One year in, Comet’s Isabella Drolz reflects on what’s been achieved so far, where we’re heading next – and what it takes to bring learning and talent development to life.
In conversation: Isabella Drolz on Comet’s role in the ECDA
Isabella Drolz, VP Marketing & Product Strategy in our X-ray Systems division, plays a key role in shaping Comet’s contributions to the ECDA. She serves as the main contact for EU projects and is actively engaged in the global SEMI network. As Co-Chair of the ECDA Board and a member of SIPS EU Talents, Isabella helps drive strategic initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility of the semiconductor industry.
Comet is responsible for two core workstreams in the ECDA focused on creating learning units that highlight roles within the industry and on strengthening the connection between academia and industry. With a deep belief in the power of diverse teams to drive innovation, Isabella also represents Comet in panel discussions and keynotes – advocating for the industry to more effectively communicate the vital role semiconductors play in our everyday lives, thereby attracting STEM students to semiconductor careers and encouraging professionals from outside the industry to get involved.
The semiconductor industry is growing fast – but the talent pipeline isn’t keeping pace. Many still aren’t aware of the exciting career paths in this field. That’s why Comet is working through the ECDA to help close the gap: by bringing the industry’s voice into education, raising awareness of real-world opportunities, and promoting diversity as a foundation for long-term innovation.
European Chips Diversity Alliance
The European Chips Diversity Alliance is a project by Erasmus+, the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Higher education (HE), vocational education and training (VET) and the semiconductor industry are working together to to lower barriers to participation for under-represented groups that represent the missing talent for the competitiveness and growth of the EU chips sector.
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