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 assignments in Iraq, China, and Mongolia. She dives into the evolving challenges of security engineering, the transformative power of mentorship, and the importance of building supportive communities for women in STEM. Marks also shares how organizations like National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and SWE have helped in shaping her career and offers practical advice for aspiring engineers interested in exploring opportunities at the State Department.
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 systemic barriers that contribute to health disparities and underrepresentation in STEM fields. Walker-Hannon also delves into the hidden toll of systemic challenges, exploring how adversity can shape resilience and inspire change. She unpacks the ripple effects of chronic stress on health, the power of community awareness, and the transformative potential of advocacy.
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 differences to building inclusive work environments, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways for leaders at all levels. Plus, Ucheonye Maple is also the keynote speaker at SWE’s WE Local Conference in San Jose, Calif. Visit welocal.swe.org for more details.
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 flexibility, understanding your worth, and inspiring teams at any level. This episode is a must-listen for anyone aspiring to lead with confidence and purpose!
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 journeys. From finding your community to embracing leadership opportunities, this conversation offers actionable advice for engineers at the start of their careers. Learn how SWE creates a unique space for women in engineering to grow, connect, and thrive — professionally and personally.
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 fundraising strategies evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic and the new initiatives they introduced like STEM for STEM to sustain engagement. Packed with insights, this episode celebrates the transformative power of community-driven efforts and the critical role of mentorship in empowering the next generation of women engineers.
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 contributions to the Society of Women Engineers, offering insights on work-life balance and mentorship. She concludes with empowering advice for women aspiring to excel in aerospace, emphasizing the value of experience, focus, and intentionality.
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 engineers maximize their careers, take calculated risks, and decide whether to pursue a technical or management path in STEM.
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 by Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Vélez-Vega wraps up her term as Secretary and discusses the power of perseverance, the role SWE has played in her career, and how being a Latina in engineering has served as a superpower.
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 "superwoman syndrome," why leaders must prioritize the mental health of their teams, and advice for embracing imperfection and growth throughout your STEM career.
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 non-promotable work in an equitable way, to standing up to leadership when needed, the group explores ways to address gender bias at both the collegiate and professional levels.
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, and actionable ways that leaders can foster an inclusive environment for birthing parents in STEM.
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 of fostering inclusive environments, and Dr. Matlock’s vision for increased representation in leadership. Plus, learn how to get involved with Advancing Indigenous Peoples in STEM (AISES), one of SWE’s joint member partner organizations.
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. Hear the story of how this partnership began, creative ways to engage future engineering leaders, and advice for SWE sections who want to partner with school districts to make a difference in their communities.
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 legislation is shaping the future of the U.S. semiconductor industry and why organizations like SWE are essential to its success. Dr. Locascio shares insights on workforce development and efforts to increase the representation of women and underrepresented groups in STEM, including apprenticeships, upskilling, retraining, and returnships.
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.
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.
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 that first-gen engineers bring to the workplace. Plus, find out how the SWE First Generation Students and Professionals Affinity Group is supporting first-gen women in STEM.
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 thoughts on disclosing disabilities at work, along with recommended disability inclusion resources for engineers.
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, regardless of their background or technical expertise.