Our first-ever virtual SWE conference—WE20—officially kicked off on Monday, November 2, 2020! We’ve been thrilled to see the number of truly engaged attendees (over 17,000!), and want to thank you all for embracing this new conference format. Check out our every-other-day recap videos or see the list of daily highlights from our first week of WE20 programming:
Day 1: Monday, November 2
Monday Highlight:
MEGA SESSION: Erica Dhawan
Digital Body Language: The New Rules of Trust and Communication – now available on demand to WE20 attendees.
In her WE20 Mega Session, speaker Erica Dhawan taught us how to:
- Identify our digital body language style and what signals we are broadcasting (even if we don’t intend to!).
- Reduce the confusion and frustration that comes with communication across all our various mediums, like email, phone, IM, text, video apps and even live meetings.
- Build our digital body language presence skills to build trust and connection with others, no matter the distance.
Leaderboard Challenge
Mondays’s top five WE20 attendees in the running for free registration to WE21:
- Shamonique Mattox – 62,390 points
- Natalie Rozinoyer – 37,930 points
- Mariah Cushman – 27,265 points
- Natasha Roberts – 26,940 points
- Ebony Nelson – 28,230 points
Day 2: Tuesday, November 3
Tuesday Highlight:
Session Recap: The Why and How of Being on a Corporate Board
From SWE’s executive director, Karen Horting
After attending “The Why and How of Being on a Corporate Board” with Past SWE Presidents Jill Tietjen and Stacey DelVecchio, I’m ready to develop my value statement and create my board resume. It was great to see that Jill emphasized the importance of networking, especially since we still have time to do more networking at WE20.
Also: when evaluating board positions, make sure the values of the organization align with your values. Corporate board positions are a lot of work, but you are compensated.
Being on a variety of not for profit boards is a good way to learn valuable board skills prior to being on a corporate board.
Leaderboard Challenge
Tuesday’s top five WE20 attendees in the running for free registration to WE21:
- Shamonique Mattox – 63,090 points
- Natasha Roberts – 56,965 points
- Natalie Rozinoyer – 55,705 points
- Ebony Nelson – 47,470 points
- Pooja Vemu – 46,190 points
Day 3: Wednesday, November 4
Wednesday Highlights:
MEGA SESSION: Selena Rezvani
Negotiate Like a Boss: How to Be a Fierce Self-Advocate – now available on demand to WE20 attendees.
More than 1,400 attendees tuned in for Selena Rezvani’s Mega Session. In this session, Rezvani taught us how to:
- Contrast the three stages of negotiation-type conversations including preparation, maneuvering through the conversation, and closing.
- Identify six influencing techniques that move negotiations forward, evaluating when they are most/least appropriate in a conversation.
- Apply body language and non-verbal principles that demonstrate power and authority, by practicing two key body poses.
Career Fair
The virtual career fair began Wednesday and continues into Thursday, Nov. 5. The career fair resumes again next week, November 9-10 from 11am-3pm CT.
Leaderboard Challenge
Wednesday’s top five WE20 attendees in the running for free registration to WE21:
- Natalie Rozinoyer – 67,470 points
- Natasha Roberts – 64,830 points
- Shamonique Mattox – 63,140 points
- Ebony Nelson – 59,370 points
- Francesca Johnson – 47,305 points
Day 4: Thursday, November 5
Thursday Highlights:
OPENING KEYNOTE: Laura Maxwell
Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, PepsiCo Foods North America – now available on-demand to WE20 attendees.
In her WE20 keynote, Laura taught us that learning to recognize doubts, seizing opportunities, and being true to your personal style are just a few ways that we can fuel self-confidence and cast aside the doubt.
Awards announced during the opening keynote:
- Outstanding Collegiate Member Award: Catherine Gurecky, Dana Gill, Elizabeth Jones, Grace Pakeltis, Isabella T. Sanders, Jessica Stieglitz, Lauren Pan, Madeline Dubelier, Olivia Wanless, Valerie Kettering
- Distinguished Engineering Educator Award: Amy Wagoner Johnson, Ph.D.; Janet Brelin-Fornari, Ph.D., P.E.; Ruth E. Davis, Ph.D.
- Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award: Gretchen Hein, Ph.D.
- Outstanding SWE Counselor Award: Rebecca M. Reck, Ph.D.
- SWE Distinguished New Engineer Award: Carina Hahn; Ellen McIsaac; Emily L. Ongstad, Ph.D.; Heather Wiest, Ph.D., P.E.; Kattie Grady; Mary Beth Biddle; Megan Ford; Neethu Elizabeth Simon; Nikita Tiwari; Olivia LeBlanc
- Spark Award: Holly Maudsley; Jacquelynn Garofano, Ph.D.; Laura Ann Odell; Mary-Helen Holley Douglas; Patricia J. Walker
State of Women in Engineering
This panel—with speakers Peggy Layne, P.E., F.SWE; Roberta Rincon, Ph.D.; and Michelle Brown—discussed updates on SWE’s own research studies, including findings on the impact of COVID-19 on women in engineering. The discussion also expanded on the research shared in SWE Magazine’s State of Women in Engineering 2020 issue regarding “the broken rung,”— which has been identified as a barrier to women’s success.
Leaderboard Challenge
Thursday’s top five WE20 attendees in the running for free registration to WE21:
- Danielle Sawyer – 74,080 points
- Natalie Rozinoyer – 68,280 points
- Natasha Roberts – 65,505 points
- Ebony Nelson – 64,880 points
- Shamonique Mattox – 63,190 points
Day 5: Friday, November 6
Friday Highlight:
FRIDAY KEYNOTE: Sundari Mitra
Corporate Vice President, Design Engineering Group & General Manager, IP Engineering Group at Intel – now available on-demand to WE20 attendees.
More than 1,200 attendees tuned in for Sundari Mitra’s Keynote presentation. In her keynote, Mitra inspired us to embrace our passion for engineering and entrepreneurial spirit.
Awards announced during the Friday keynote:
- Diversity & Inclusion Award: Rockwell Automation
- Emerging Leader Award: Carrie Marie Ballester; Cynthia Morin; Ivelisse Del Valle Figueroa, P.E.; Jeri Lynn Metzger; Karen E. Roth; Katie Clingenpeel; Kristine Barnes, P.E.; Laura McCarter; Lisa Minnick; Xue (Ida) Chen, Ph.D.
- Fellow Grade: Cynthia S. Reid, P.E.; Mary Ann T. Walsh; Tamaira Ross; Vicki S. Johnson, Ph.D.
- Global Leadership Award: Angel McMullen-Gunn, Johanna Vazquez, Lynn Olson
- Global Team Leadership Award: Boston Scientific, John Deere, Team Pomace
- Suzanne Jenniches Upward Mobility Award (Endowed by Northrop Grumman Corporation): Jennifer Rumsey
- Work/Life Integration Award: Christina L. Beppler, Ph.D.
Day 6: Saturday, November 7
Saturday Highlights:
MEGA SESSION: Dr. Low Dog
Life Is Your Best Medicine – now available on demand to WE20 attendees.
During her WE20 Mega Session, Dr. Low Dog—an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements, herbal medicine and women’s health—taught us how to:
- Recognize the effects of chronic stress on work performance and risk for depression, anxiety, heart disease and other diseases.
- Understand how meditation, physical activity, rest, music, and other lifestyle factors can positively impact physical and emotional health.
- Identify strategies for reducing fatigue, improving sleep and increasing emotional well-being.
- Improve our nutrition.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: Jennifer Rumsey
Vice President and President Components Business, Cummins Inc. – now available on-demand to WE20 attendees.
In her WE20 keynote, Jennifer Rumsey discussed her realization that one does not need to be Superwoman to be successful in one’s career and personal life. She addressed being confident in yourself, being real and having impact in work and life.
Awards announced during the Saturday afternoon keynote:
- Advocating Women in Engineering Award: Diane Foley; Ireena Erteza, Ph.D.; Rahima Mohammed, Ph.D.; Robin Barker-Chambers; Shivani Koul
- Mission Award (collegiate)
- Multicultural Boeing Company Award (collegiate)
- Rodney D. Chipp Memorial Award: Jesus Garrido, Michael Bracken, Raymond Jones
Team Tech Competition – Sponsored by The Boeing Company
- 1st Place: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo working with Universal Studios
Standardized Wheelchair for Ride Integration - 2nd Place: Purdue University working with L3Harris
CubeSat GPS-RO Mission - 3rd Place: University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez working with Baxter Healthcare, Guayama PR.
Improved Changeover Time for Capper and Case Packer Machines at Fill-and- Pack Production Line #2
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