The term “leaky pipeline” is often used to describe why women leave STEM careers, but does that language tell the full story? In this episode, Cassie Leonard, aerospace engineer and founder of ELMM Coaching, and Ashley Wynne, technical engineering manager and co-lead of the HeforSWE Affinity Group, share a more nuanced understanding of why women leave engineering roles and how to support their continued growth in the field. In conversation with SWE Executive Director & CEO Karen Horting, hea...
Jul 08, 2025•25 min
On July 1, 2025, Inaas Darrat assumes the role of president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), concluding Karen Roth’s one-year term as SWE president. In this special episode, Karen shares her personal highlights from the past year, insights on how the theme of “Together We Rise” came to life during her presidency, and words of advice for Inaas as she steps into the role. Inaas introduces the FY26 theme of “Embrace Your Story” and reflects on the key pivots throughout her own engineering j...
Jul 01, 2025•24 min
What’s it really like to study engineering at a community college, and where can that path take you? Denise Grazielle Cruz, SWE collegiate member at Essex County College, and Maeliz Colon, SWE counselor for the Springfield Technical Community College SWE Affiliate, discuss their STEM experiences at community colleges with SWE President Karen Roth. Hear why they chose the community college path, the stigmas and misperceptions they experienced along the way, advice for women studying engineering, ...
Jun 24, 2025•41 min
Technical skills alone don’t guarantee how you're seen or heard in engineering. In this episode, engineers Zaineb Ahmad and Barbara Read join host Sam East to unpack how language choices shape the way women and underrepresented groups are perceived in STEM workplaces. Hear the key phrases to avoid at work, how to write emails that maintain attention, and communication tips to grow your reputation and confidence. Plus, hear how allies can step in when an idea in a meeting gets credited to someone...
Jun 17, 2025•24 min
In this episode of Diverse, Sandra Park, financial coach for women in STEM, speaks with SWE President Karen Roth about how engineers can achieve financial independence and gain more freedom in their careers. Sandra shares a financial wake-up call from her own engineering journey and discusses practical steps for building a strong foundation, including budgeting and investing at all career stages. Hear how engineers can apply problem-solving skills to personal finance, a systems approach to payin...
Jun 10, 2025•27 min
How can engineers prepare for a potential layoff? What steps should you take immediately after being laid off? And how can you bounce back and find your next career opportunity? In this episode, Jessica Rannow, senior project manager at KPI Solutions, and Brittney Elko, senior director of supply chain at Jasper Therapeutics, answer these questions and share how they have navigated multiple layoffs and pivots throughout their successful STEM careers. Hear the life lessons they learned from being ...
Jun 02, 2025•36 min
In this episode of Diverse, Kate Hensley, associate director at Collins Aerospace, joins host Marsha Lynn Bragg, senior editor of publications at the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), to discuss the surprising parallels between STEM and stand-up comedy. Kate shares her nonlinear journey in engineering and how the skills she’s honed through comedy have shaped her success. Hear insights on communicating with management, embracing failure in order to grow, and embracing diverse interests outside of...
May 27, 2025•19 min
What if networking could be as fun as game night?! In this special episode of Diverse, recorded live at WE24, hear game enthusiasts and industry leaders Nicole Woon, senior product manager at Microsoft, and Emily Carney, senior manager of site project management at Genezen, explore an unexpected source of networking wisdom: board games. Nicole and Emily share how games like Ticket to Ride and Apples to Apples offer surprising insights into making authentic connections. They break down networking...
May 20, 2025•31 min
Helen Mills and Lisa Malmanger, co-leads of the SWE Military and Veterans Affinity Group, share personal stories on why building community is essential for military-connected engineers and their families in this episode of Diverse. Lisa shares the challenges she faced when adjusting to the civilian workforce after serving in the military, and Helen reflects on the importance of mental health and allyship. They also discuss how military experience translates into leadership and technical skills i...
May 13, 2025•25 min
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jayshree Seth, Ph.D., corporate scientist and chief science advocate at 3M, joins us to discuss the motivation behind her latest book, “The Heart of Science: Engineering Blueprint.” In conversation with SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting, Jayshree shares how “The Heart of Science” trilogy provides a blueprint for a purposeful STEM journey at any career stage. Hear why we need to redefine the concept...
May 06, 2025•31 min
This episode is brought to you by Horton. To see the photos and documents referenced in the episode, watch the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/UlAoX2duYqM In this special episode of Diverse, Troy Eller English, chief archivist at SWE, and Mary Mann, archives librarian at The Cooper Union, celebrate SWE’s 75th anniversary by unpacking stories from the archives. They discuss the founding meeting of SWE in 1950 and reflect on how understanding the past can inform future practices in engineerin...
Apr 29, 2025•38 min
This episode is sponsored by Discover Financial Services. How can women in tech build resilience, grow into leadership, and still make time for life outside of work? In this episode of Diverse, host Sam East sits down with two inspiring women from Discover Financial Services: Ranjani Rao, director of infrastructure product management, and Jamie Stallworth, manager training specialist. They share honest reflections on bouncing back from failure, advice for work-life balance, and insights on how t...
Apr 22, 2025•29 min
This episode is brought to you by Modern Makers. In this episode of Diverse, engineer, entrepreneur, and space explorer Anousheh Ansari sits down with SWE Executive Director and CEO Karen Horting. As the first female private space explorer, Anousheh shares her extraordinary journey, delving into how her problem-solving engineering skills have shaped her path, as well as her unforgettable experiences in space that transformed her perspective on global challenges. She also shares insights on risk-...
Apr 15, 2025•38 min
Allison Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), sits down with SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting to discuss the state of women in manufacturing. Allison reflects on her experience launching WiM and leading its growth to over 32,000 members today. She shares creative retention strategies and workforce training efforts that are shaping the future of manufacturing, along with unique offerings like the Women in Production program, which helps women ...
Apr 06, 2025•34 min
Theresa Cummings, CEO of Cummings Consulting & Management LLC and a mechanical engineer by trade, joins host Sam East in this episode of Diverse: a SWE Podcast. Cummings shares her inspiring journey from engineer to leadership consultant, helping industry leaders like NASA and Coca-Cola build stronger teams. Together, they discuss the pivotal role of interpersonal skills in technical environments and how women in STEM can lead with confidence and authenticity. Discover actionable advice on o...
Mar 22, 2025•29 min
This episode is sponsored by Cadence Design Systems. What happens when industry leaders refuse to accept the status quo in tech diversity? In this episode of Diverse, Nicole Johnson, global director of social impact & employee engagement for Cadence Design Systems, and Dr. Judith Spitz, founder and CEO of Break Through Tech, discuss their groundbreaking partnership through the Fem.AI initiative. They share innovative strategies to address the three leakage points in the tech talent pipeline ...
Mar 21, 2025•24 min
This episode is brought to you by Crown. This Women's History Month episode of Diverse features a compelling conversation with Lori McDowell, who transitioned from a 30-year career in chemical engineering to become a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and life coach. In conversation with host Hang Loi, Lori candidly discusses how being fired became her catalyst for change, leading to her book, The Reinvention Mindset, and a thriving coaching practice. She shares practical insights about navigatin...
Mar 18, 2025•21 min
This episode and the WE24 Podcast Studio are proudly sponsored by Apple. In this episode of Diverse, Lindsay Epstein, product design engineer at Apple, and SWE collegiate member Alden Sherrill discuss the significance of community, diversity in design, and emerging trends in health and clean energy technology. In conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth, Lindsay, and Alden reflect on their personal journeys and share how strong community support empowered them to thrive and innovate. They...
Mar 08, 2025•25 min
In this episode of Diverse, host Siddika Demir speaks with Renée Amilcar, the first female president of UITP, the International Association of Public Transport, about her trailblazing career in a male-dominated industry. Renée shares her passion for public transport and discusses the vital role it plays in sustainable urban development. She reflects on the importance of gender parity and diversity within the sector and offers valuable insights on the skills women engineers need to succeed in pub...
Feb 27, 2025•20 min
This episode is sponsored by GE Vernova. In this episode of the Diverse podcast, Reggie Miller, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for GE Vernova, joins host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, to discuss the importance of allyship in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace. Miller shares his personal journey and motivations for advocating for women in STEM, offering practical strategies, personal anecdotes, and invaluable advice for women navigat...
Feb 24, 2025•20 min
This episode of Diverse welcomes Camille Smith, a chemical engineer and founder of STEM So(ul)cial, to explore the challenges and opportunities for women and minorities in STEM. In conversation with host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, Smith shares her journey of navigating her identity in the workplace and the barriers women of color often face in advancing their careers. She sheds light on the “hidden curriculums” that influence career growth, the critical role of community, and why documen...
Feb 18, 2025•22 min
This episode is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In this episode of Diverse, Trisha Marks, director of security technology operations at the U.S. Department of State, shares her incredible journey as a trailblazing woman in engineering with host Larry Guthrie, SWE’s director of content strategy. Marks reflects on her upbringing in Brooklyn, where her father’s work sparked her interest in engineering, and takes us through her global career spanning over two decades, including assignment...
Feb 09, 2025•20 min
Louvere Walker-Hannon, application engineer senior team lead at MathWorks, joins us for this episode of Diverse to unpack the concept of weathering — the physical toll chronic stress takes on the human body, especially among women of color. In conversation with host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, Walker-Hannon shares her inspiring journey in STEM, starting with a love for archaeology, and reflects on the challenges she’s faced as a woman of color in engineering. Together, they explore the sy...
Feb 04, 2025•34 min
In this episode of Diverse, Ucheonye Maple, leadership expert, author, and founder of the Women Who Leap Community, explores the evolving landscape of leadership in high-stakes industries like aerospace and defense, emphasizing the crucial role of empathy, communication, and adaptability. Uche shares her insights on how leaders can foster diverse, innovative teams by understanding the end users of their products, embracing continuous learning, and overcoming biases. From navigating generational ...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min
In this episode of Diverse, host Tracy White, who leads SWE's Mid-Career Professionals Affinity Group, sits down with past SWE Presidents Stacey DelVecchio and Colleen Scholl to explore their journeys into senior management. They share insights on mentorship, senior-level interviews, adapting communication styles, and redefining work-life balance. Learn practical strategies for embracing flexibility, understanding your value, and inspiring teams. Plus, you’ll gain valuable advice on embracing fl...
Jan 28, 2025•31 min
In this episode of Diverse, host Alyssa Acosta, co-lead of SWE’s Early Career Professionals Affinity Group (ECP AG), sits down with guests MP Delisle, past ECP AG co-lead, and Amber Krecemen, ECP AG co-founder, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from college to professional life as women engineers. They share personal insights on the importance of mentorship, the power of networking, and how the Society of Women Engineers and SWE’s ECP AG have been instrumental in their jour...
Jan 22, 2025•36 min
This episode is sponsored by GE Vernova and GE Aerospace. As SWE celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, join us as we reflect on GE’s deep-rooted commitment to the organization, dating back to 1961 when it became one of the first companies to donate to SWE. Guests Megan Stewart of GE Vernova and Kim Hammer of GE Aerospace discuss how employee-led initiatives, competitive tactics, and executive support fostered a culture of giving and mentorship in the organization. They also share how fundrais...
Jan 08, 2025•19 min
In this inspiring episode of Diverse, Enanga Daisy Fâlé, senior systems engineering manager at Northrop Grumman, explores her dynamic career in aerospace. Enanga shares the pivotal experiences and influences that sparked her passion for STEM and led to her leadership role in systems engineering. The conversation also highlights groundbreaking innovations in aerospace technology, the role of AI and simulation, and the critical need for systems thinking. Enanga also reflects on her impactful contr...
Jan 01, 2025•36 min
Two sisters earned degrees in electrical engineering — but from there, their careers diverged into different paths. Jeanne Trinko Mechler, fellow at Marvell, followed the technical track, and Donna Trinko Majcen, vice president and general manager of the global services portfolio at Keysight Technologies, pursued the management track. In conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth, Trinko Mechler and Trinko Majcen share insights from their 65+ years of combined experience to help women engin...
Dec 31, 2024•42 min
In 2020, longtime SWE member Eileen Vélez-Vega made history as the first woman to be appointed Secretary and CEO of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works. In this conversation, recorded live at WE24, she reflects on her inspiring STEM journey and the unique pivots along the way: from being the first engineer in her family, to interning at NASA and Walt Disney World, to building a successful engineering career and ultimately leading a state government agency. Interviewed b...
Dec 16, 2024•44 min
