Episodes

  • Ep 295: Sisterly Advice: Engineering Execs Share Keys to Success

    Ep 295: Sisterly Advice: Engineering Execs Share Keys to Success
    Dec 31 2024
    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.
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    42 mins
  • Ep 294: The Power of Perseverance With Secretary of Puerto Rico DTOP Eileen Vélez-Vega

    Ep 294: The Power of Perseverance With Secretary of Puerto Rico DTOP Eileen Vélez-Vega
    Dec 16 2024
    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.
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    44 mins
  • Ep 293: Curiosity, Courage, and Leading With Impact With Emma Quentin of BD

    Ep 293: Curiosity, Courage, and Leading With Impact With Emma Quentin of BD
    Dec 15 2024
    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.
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    20 mins
  • Ep 292: Becoming a Better Ally: Insights From Men in Engineering

    Ep 292: Becoming a Better Ally: Insights From Men in Engineering
    Dec 5 2024
    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.
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    27 mins
  • Ep 291: Supporting Postpartum Engineers in the Workplace With Megan Casey

    Ep 291: Supporting Postpartum Engineers in the Workplace With Megan Casey
    Nov 27 2024
    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.
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    34 mins
  • Ep 290: Celebrating Indigenous Voices in STEM With Dr. Teenie Matlock

    Ep 290: Celebrating Indigenous Voices in STEM With Dr. Teenie Matlock
    Nov 21 2024
    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.
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    37 mins
  • Ep 289: How Chicago Public Schools Partnered With SWE to Provide a Hands-On STEM Experience

    Ep 289: How Chicago Public Schools Partnered With SWE to Provide a Hands-On STEM Experience
    Nov 17 2024
    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.
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    29 mins
  • Ep 288: CHIPS Act Update With Dr. Laurie E. Locascio of the U.S. Department of Commerce

    Ep 288: CHIPS Act Update With Dr. Laurie E. Locascio of the U.S. Department of Commerce
    Nov 12 2024
    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.
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    35 mins