SWE’s International Ambassadors
SWE International Ambassadors Maria-Esther Torres, Tugce Tuysuz, and Cristina Caballe became inspired to join SWE and be a voice for women in engineering through experience in their own careers in engineering and witnessing first-hand the male dominance in the industry.
SWE’s International Ambassador program is an opportunity for a SWE member that resides outside the United States to serve in a SWE leadership position for their city, country, region and the Society. Our International Ambassadors help us achieve our goals on a global scale. We love hearing about the engineering culture in their hometowns, and with our SWE International Ambassador Spotlight, we hope to provide a glimpse into what it’s like to be a woman engineer in countries around the world.
Maria-Esther Torres
“I really love the idea of being part of a network of women engineers,” said Torres, an industrial engineer and SWE International Ambassador for Queretaro, Mexico. “When I realized that there are so many successful women in STEM, it inspired me to be an active part of it.”
Tugce Tuysuz
As a mechanical engineer and SWE International Ambassador for Vancouver, Tuysuz enjoys being a part of this network and using various outlets to get the word out about SWE.
“I have been using the communication skills in my comfort zone to inspire women,” said Tuysuz. “I have started with my Turkish women in engineering friends from Vancouver and Turkey. Secondly, I have been spreading the word at UBC which is my home university now. Lastly, I have created a Facebook group, ‘Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math,’ and have been sharing SWE news with this group.”
Cristina Caballe
Similar to Torres and Tuysuz, Caballe, an electrical engineer and SWE International Ambassador for Spain, Portugal, Greece and Israel, was inspired to become an ambassador to be a part of an organization composed of a powerful network of women that has already had such a strong impact on society.
“The aspect that inspired me the most is that SWE has a real impact on the society that we would not be able to achieve as individuals,” said Caballe. “SWE offers the framework to join forces and focus our energy as individuals to help women engineers grow.”
Become a SWE International Ambassador
A SWE International Ambassador serves from 1st January through 31st December and will be provided training and tools each January to ensure the SWE International Ambassador is equipped to be successful in this volunteer role. The program requires the volunteer to re-apply each November in order to ensure the volunteer remains up to date on all SWE international activities and can pledge the volunteer time commitment.
SWE International Ambassadors promote the SWE brand, grow the SWE community in their city, and are knowledgeable of SWE products and services available to members and partners living in their country. In addition to their role of SWE representative in-country, a SWE International Ambassador creates a Personal Leadership Development Plan and has the opportunity to complete one of the SWE Leadership Competency eLearning Modules. To learn more and apply, visit SWE’s international page.
Don’t have time to commit to an entire year as a SWE Ambassador? Email international@swe.org to find out other ways you can get involved in SWE in your country.
