This episode is sponsored by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). Emma Quentin, vice president of urology critical care and surgery at BD, shares her inspiring journey from chemical engineer to global health care leader in this episode of Diverse. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Quentin discusses the role curiosity plays in both engineering and leadership and the pivotal moments when others believed in her potential before she did. Hear how to overcome "su...
Dec 15, 2024•20 min
Trevor George, co-lead of SWE's HeForSWE Affinity Group, and Luke Ciccone, collegiate engagement chair of SWE’s HeForSWE Affinity Group, offer actionable advice for men looking to support women in STEM in this episode of Diverse. In conversation with Ashley Wynne, co-lead of the HeForSWE AG, George and Ciccone share their personal stories of allyship in engineering, including real-life examples of what allyship can look like in the workplace. From holding mentoring conversations, to assigning no...
Dec 05, 2024•27 min
Megan Casey, mechanical engineer and engineering manager, reflects on how to navigate returning to work as a postpartum engineer in conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth. Drawing from her personal experiences, Casey shares the challenges of transitioning back to the workplace after two pregnancies: one that was medically complicated and another with twins. Hear the strengths she gained during the postpartum period, self-advocacy strategies that engineers can use when returning to work,...
Nov 27, 2024•34 min
Dr. Teenie Matlock, professor emerita of cognitive science at the University of California, Merced and active member of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, joins us in this episode of Diverse to honor Native American Heritage Month. Interviewed by Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, Dr. Matlock shares how her heritage shaped her upbringing, educational journey, perspective, and career in the sciences. Hear the challenges and opportunities Indigenous women face in STEM, the importance ...
Nov 21, 2024•37 min
Kelli Easterly, executive director of STEM at Chicago Public Schools, and Eleonora Chakraborty, president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Chicago Regional Section, share their unique STEM outreach partnership in this episode recorded live at WE24. In conversation with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of SWE, the group discusses “Invent It. Build It.,” an outreach event that inspired CPS students, parents, and educators to explore engineering through hands-on STEM activities. Hea...
Nov 17, 2024•29 min
Dr. Laurie E. Locascio, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), reflects on the implementation of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act which appropriated over $52 billion for semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and workforce training and education. In conversation with Karen Horting, executive director and CEO of the Society of Women Engineers, Dr. Locascio discusses how this legis...
Nov 12, 2024•35 min
In this episode, Holly Hansen, Pilot Plant and Product Development Manager at 3M, shares her personal experiences with ADHD and provides insight on how to better support neurodiverse folks in the STEM workforce. Hansen covers the different types of neurodiversity, the accommodations needed to make everyone successful, strategies for self-advocacy, and real-world examples of how to foster inclusion for those with ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences.
Nov 11, 2024•38 min
This episode is sponsored by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). Sylvie Lombardi, senior R&D director at BD, discusses her journey in biomedical engineering and the rewarding impact her work has on physicians and patients in this episode of Diverse. Hear how Lombardi’s childhood dreams of becoming a doctor influenced her path in STEM, her advice for aspiring engineers in the medical technology space, and the growth opportunities that BD provided throughout her career.
Nov 10, 2024•23 min
In honor of First-Generation College Celebration Day, celebrated on Nov. 8 in the U.S., dive into the stories of several first-generation women engineers in this episode of Diverse! Monick Estrada and Lavanya Munjam share their experiences as first-generation engineers at the collegiate and professional levels in conversation with host Danielle Schroeder. Hear their reflections on the complexities of navigating two cultures, the importance of building strong networks, and the unique strengths th...
Nov 08, 2024•43 min
In this episode, Angelie Vincent and Ramak Asgari of the SWE DisAbility Inclusion Affinity Group share their personal journeys as engineers who are thriving in STEM while living with disabilities. In conversation with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, Vincent and Asgari offer insights into how leaders can create inclusive workplace environments that allow individuals with differing abilities to succeed. Hear their stories of using self-advocacy to receive accommodations and their ...
Oct 29, 2024•30 min
This episode is sponsored by the U.S. Space Force. Major Rachel Oliver, assistant professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology, discusses how she found and followed her unique STEM path step-by-step in this episode of Diverse. Hear Major Oliver’s advice on navigating career setbacks, along with insights into her work on technologies like satellites and event-based sensors. She reflects on the future of the U.S. Space Force and encourages listeners to consider opportunities to serve, regard...
Oct 22, 2024•18 min
In this episode, Helly Torres, Hispanic Heritage Month lead of the SWE Latinos Affinity Group, speaks with Sunita Lavin, a dedicated ally and SWE Latinos AG member, about the critical role of allyship in advancing Latinas in STEM. Torres explores findings from a recent “Lean In” report, which reveals that Latinas remain underrepresented in engineering and tech, especially in leadership roles. Lavin shares her personal journey as an ally and offers insights into how mentorship, advocacy, and a mi...
Oct 11, 2024•24 min
This episode is sponsored by Tetra Pak. When you grab a carton of juice or a package of your favorite snacks, it’s easy to forget that behind every bite and sip, there’s a world of engineering at work. In this episode of Diverse, two engineers from Tetra Pak share their experiences in the food and beverage industry with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of SWE. Ruth Lima, service engineer, and Bayan Kishta, process engineer, reflect on what initially drew them to the food and beverage se...
Oct 08, 2024•28 min
Learn how women can position themselves at the forefront of future mega construction projects in this episode of Diverse! Catherine Hunt Ryan, president of Bechtel’s Manufacturing and Technology business, discusses the pivotal role women play in infrastructure projects in conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth. Hear about the evolving global landscape for women engineers, Hunt Ryan’s own career journey and the impact she hopes to leave, and a sneak peek of her upcoming keynote at WE24....
Oct 01, 2024•36 min
Jennifer McAndrew from Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life explores the critical issue of voter turnout among STEM students with Dr. Roberta Rincon, director of research and impact at SWE. McAndrew dives into findings from the recent "Democracy Counts 2022" report from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, explores why collegians in STEM majors may be harder to mobilize than those in other fields and identifies strategies that can boost civic participation. Recorded ...
Sep 26, 2024•25 min
This episode is sponsored by Discover Financial Services. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests, in their individual capacity, and not necessarily those of Discover. Three leaders at Discover Financial Services discuss their career journeys in tech, their insights on AI and emerging technologies, and how they have built communities of support as women of color in the field. Hear insights from Stephanie Jefferson, senior associate IT service management specialist...
Sep 24, 2024•35 min
Shelley Knust, vice president of product compliance and regulatory affairs at Cummins Inc., discusses her approach to courageous leadership in this episode of Diverse. Interviewed by FY25 SWE President Karen Roth, Knust reflects on a pivotal moment in her career when she made an impact on her colleagues by embracing her authentic self. She also shares several unique initiatives that empower engineers to bring their full selves to work and offers a sneak peek into her closing keynote talk at WE24...
Sep 17, 2024•24 min
For women engineers who want to climb the corporate ladder, putting your head down and doing your job is often not enough. Susan Colantuono, TED speaker and founder of Be Business Savvy, shares the key business and strategic skills to help women get ahead in conversation with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine. Hear Colantuono’s practical tips to understand your employer’s market positioning, promote your achievements effectively, and be perceived as a leader in STEM. Learn more abo...
Sep 10, 2024•31 min
Jenna Henderson, co-lead of SWE’s Women in Government Affinity Group, explores how innovation aligns with this year’s theme of “Together We Rise” with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth. Interviewed by Jennifer Dalzell, co-lead of the Women in Government Affinity Group, the discussion explores the challenges and opportunities that come with embracing innovation in engineering, particularly in the public sector. Hear why diversity fuels innovation, how to handle resistance when changing the status quo...
Sep 04, 2024•40 min
Enjoy a fireside chat with two women who were recently recognized on the Forbes “50 Over 50” list in this episode of Diverse! Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of SWE, sits down with Dr. Carlotta Berry, professor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and founder of NoireSTEMinist, to discuss their respective work to increase STEM access. Horting and Dr. Berry reflect on what they are most proud of, how their perspectives on leadership have evolved over time, and the unique intersections...
Aug 27, 2024•34 min
Explore an outreach success story from one of SWE’s 400+ Collegiate Sections in this episode of Diverse! Sofie Zalatimo, elementary outreach chair at Cal Poly SWE, and Shayne Conner, vice president of community outreach at Cal Poly SWE, dive into the details of Cal Poly SWE’s annual "Fourth Grade Days" event, which reached over 1,500 students this year. In conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth, Zalatimo and Conner share behind-the-scenes insights into managing event volunteers, creatin...
Aug 20, 2024•28 min
Sharon Hong, vice president of ecosystem solutions and video sales engineering at Motorola Solutions, explores how engineers can unlock fear, overcome imposter syndrome, and unleash their full potential in this episode of Diverse. In conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth, Hong discusses her inspiring STEM journey and leadership roles in the security and safety sectors. She also provides a preview of her upcoming WE24 keynote address.
Aug 13, 2024•32 min
Melissa Marshall, TED speaker and founder of Present Your Science, shares actionable advice to help scientists and engineers share their work to non-technical audiences in this episode of Diverse. Hear practical tips for improving your presentation skills, plus two key communication pitfalls to avoid. Marshall offers additional insights on the role of visual aids in slides, building confidence, and how AI is impacting the future of communication in STEM.
Aug 06, 2024•37 min
Dive into SWE’s award-winning Academic Leadership for Women in Engineering (ALWE) program with two inspiring engineers who are making their mark! Dr. Gisella Lamas, FY25 chair of SWE’s Women in Academia Committee, and Dr. Sanjana Yagnambhatt, member of SWE’s Women in Academia Committee, share their personal experiences as participants in the ALWE program. Hear what inspired them to pursue careers in academia, the lessons from ALWE that influenced them the most, and why the leadership skills and ...
Jul 30, 2024•28 min
Negotiation happens every day in the workplace — from negotiating a job offer, to pushing back on a proposed initiative, to simply saying no. In this episode of Diverse, author, speaker, and leadership consultant Selena Rezvani shares actionable tips to help women engineers improve their negotiation skills and become their own self-advocates. Hear strategies and scripts to start tricky conversations, overcome common objections, and manage trade-offs. Rezvani shares a personal story that influenc...
Jul 23, 2024•32 min
Learn how endowed scholarships work and how they make an impact on the next generation of women engineers in this episode of Diverse! Mary Zeis, SWENext coordinator for the SWE Pittsburgh Section, and Jessica Dresang, vice president & project manager with Carollo Engineers, share their personal motivations behind endowing scholarships with SWE in conversation with FY24 SWE President Alexis McKittrick. Hear what differentiates an endowed scholarship from other forms of giving, how endowed sch...
Jul 16, 2024•36 min
Every day around the world, engineers get dressed to go to work. But due to a variety of appearance-based biases, picking out what to wear can be complicated for some women in STEM. Dr. Lindarti Purwaningsih, principal process engineer, integration engineering at GlobalFoundries, delves into the societal norms, biases, and personal experiences that shape the way women engineers dress in the workplace in this episode of Diverse. Drawing from her popular talk at WE Local Munich, Purwaningsih explo...
Jul 09, 2024•26 min
In this episode of Diverse, Diniece Mendes, director of the office of freight mobility at the New York City Department of Transportation, and Monica Morales, water resources engineer and project manager at Jacobs, share their experiences of being featured in the IMAX film “Cities of the Future.” In conversation with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, Mendes and Morales discuss the surprising aspects of being part of a movie, how it has impacted their careers, and valuable networkin...
Jul 02, 2024•21 min
On July 1, 2024, Karen Roth assumes the role of President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), concluding Dr. Alexis McKittrick’s one-year term as SWE President. In this episode, McKittrick sits down with Roth to pass the torch, offer words of advice, and share her favorite moments and memories of helping over 47,000 women in STEM “Live Without Limits” over the past year. Roth discusses why she chose “Together We Rise” as her theme, reflects on what she’s most excited about for the year ahea...
Jun 25, 2024•35 min
Explore the many ways that engineers can get involved with public policy ― from learning about the issues, to speaking to legislators, to even running for office! Jenny Tsao, lead of the SWE Public Policy Affinity Group, provides tips for women in STEM who want to start getting involved in public policy. Katherine Culbert, engineer and candidate for Texas Railroad Commission, unpacks her decision to run for office and the lessons she has learned through this experience. Host Karen Horting, CEO a...
Jun 18, 2024•28 min
