EP 142: Barbara Humpton: How Fostering a Growth Mindset Builds Leadership Qualities
In this SWE Diverse episode, Rachel Morford, the incoming FY22 president of SWE, speaks with Barbara Humpton, a keynote speaker at the upcoming WE21 in Indianapolis. She is the CEO of Siemens USA, a leading technology company that is driving the transformation of industry and infrastructure. Learn more about her background, vision and commitment to diversity in STEM fields.
Rachel Morford
FY22 SWE president
Rachel Morford is a principal director at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California, where she manages a team responsible for the integration of multiple space and ground programs. In previous roles, Morford led the Aerospace team supporting the production, launch, and on-orbit testing of three high-value communication satellites; provided technical leadership and supported strategic development of international agreements between the U.S. Air Force and other nations; and spent several years as a systems engineer working on national security launches.
Morford has led the Aerospace women’s committee, served on the Aerospace diversity action committee, and is an enthusiastic member of multiple Aerospace employee resource groups. She has been recognized with the Aerospace Woman of the Year award and the Aerospace Commitment to Our People Diversity and Inclusion award.
A senior life member of SWE, Morford joined the Society as a student at the University of Southern California. She has held several leadership roles in SWE at all levels, including chair of the collegiate leadership coaching committee, region governor, Los Angeles Section president, and director of advocacy. Morford is a recipient of the SWE Distinguished New Engineer and the We Local ELiTE awards.
Morford holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California and a certificate in technical management from the University of California, Los Angeles. An active alumna, Morford serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors and the Viterbi Emerging Leaders Board. She enjoys traveling, running, and refinishing furniture.
Barbara Humpton
President and CEO, Siemens USA
As CEO of Siemens USA, Barbara Humpton champions a mission centered on purpose and driven by the collaboration to serve the company’s largest market. She’s passionate about diversity, STEM education, and what she calls a work-life blend that honors her priorities at Siemens and as a grandmother. In her keynote, she’ll share her optimistic outlook and the pivotal moment that changed her perspective on leadership.
Check out more SWE podcasts:
- Exploring the Perspective of Global Members Living and Working in the US
- How R&D Supports Inclusivity, Growth, and Opportunity for Women Engineers
- Un Cafecito With a Woman in STEM: Melanie Weber
- Combining Engineering and Research at the Air Force Research Laboratory
- Susan Uthayakumar on Challenging the Status Quo to Forge Your Own Career Path
- APAHM 2021 – SASE CEO Khánh Vu on Allyship for the AAPI Community
- Smita Tharoor on Addressing Unconscious Bias in Our Professional and Personal Lives
