As incoming leadership teams step into roles and lead the organization into SWE’s FY19 (7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019), we wanted to take a moment to thank the most recent past Board of Directors for its tremendous leadership, volunteer service, and generosity to the organization through their personal stewardship.
In addition to providing the invaluable service of volunteer leadership to SWE, all SWE Board of Directors and Leaders are encouraged to contribute to SWE each year. These donations are both a vote of confidence in SWE’s capacity to fulfill its mission and provide vital support for the organization.
Name: Dayna Johnson
Title: FY19 Director of Professional Excellence
How and why do you donate to SWE?
Johnson: I’ve donated to SWE in several different ways. Unfortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to make some donations towards a memorial over the past few years. While we miss our SWE members and would often rather still have them here with us, it definitely gives me a chance to honor their legacy. I also make donations throughout the year, including on Giving Tuesday. For all these opportunities, I have the chance to utilize an employee match, which doubles my contribution.
In looking at this past year, can you share one or two of your favorite ways you have seen SWE strive to fulfill its mission?
Johnson: Especially during my time as Director of Achievement, I love the inspiration that comes from our award winners each year. Within the SWE tagline is “Achieve”- and there are few things as motivating as learning from our award winners, whether at the awards banquet at the Annual Conference, at Celebrate SWE!, or at other venues. Similarly, I also love seeing the impact we make on students’ lives with our scholarships. I’m fortunate to work at GE, and SWE scholarship donations are an annual priority for our Women’s Network. I love when I can see my coworkers get as passionate about SWE as I do and get creative about how to get more and more donations each year.
What words of encouragement do you have for the FY19 Board of Directors and SWE Leaders around giving back to SWE?
Johnson: Overall, there is a sense of accomplishment when you donate to a cause you care about. I’m currently wearing my t-shirt that says, “I donated to a rescue and all I got was this awesome feeling!” However, you can replace the word “rescue” with any cause that you care about- and yes, that includes SWE! When you realize that your donations are going to help our organization achieve its mission, you realize that you have made an impact- even if it’s as little as $5 or $10.
About Dayna
Dayna Johnson, P.E., is in the Accelerated Leadership Program at GE Energy Connections. She joined GE in 2012 as a commercial manager, leading large teams through the bidding process to develop proposals for high-voltage electrical substations. Prior to joining GE, she worked as a civil engineer, designing water and wastewater projects for rapidly growing communities in the Chicago suburbs.
She holds a B.S. in civil engineering and a Master of Engineering Management from Valparaiso University, and she is a licensed professional engineer and LEED accredited professional.
Johnson has been an active member of SWE since joining as a collegiate member in 2000. She has served as Chicago regional section president and section representative and as Region H lieutenant governor and treasurer. She was previously the awards and recognition committee chair and WE11 local host committee co-chair. Most recently, she has been engaged as a governance task force member and senator. She received the SWE Distinguished New Engineer Award in 2011.
Outside of SWE, Johnson is involved in her church and Toastmasters. She resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband, their two young sons, and their dog. When she isn’t working with SWE, she enjoys traveling to warm locations with beaches far from Chicago, hiking, and home improvement projects.
