Swe Podcasts

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.

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.

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 mindset of curiosity can bridge cultures and drive meaningful change.

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 sector, why it’s an attractive field for engineers, and how Tetra Pak has supported their personal career aspirations.

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.

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 on National Voter Registration Day, this conversation offers insights into increasing collegiate voting in the lead-up to the U.S. elections.

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; Yixiu Li, director of generative AI modeling; and Natasha Perez, senior manager of product enablement.

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.

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 about the skills women engineers need to climb the corporate ladder in the Conference 2024 issue of SWE Magazine.

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, and practical advice for women engineers looking to lead the way in their fields.

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 of their passions, including Berry’s creative venture into writing romance novels featuring Black characters in STEM fields.

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, creating age-appropriate activities, and inspiring the next generation of leaders by exposing pre-college students to STEM.

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.