SWE’s WE Local conferences bring together engineers and thought leaders from around the world to learn the latest industry insights, expand their networks and enhance their professional development.
In 2024, WE Local conferences will take place in five locations across the globe:
- Las Vegas, U.S.: Feb 23-24
- Baltimore, U.S.: March 1-2
- Wichita, Kan., U.S.: March 15-16
- Bengaluru, India: April 18-19
- Munich, Germany: April 25-26
You can find all the details and register for these WE Local conferences on our website.
Let’s meet the keynote speakers who will inspire the audiences at the 2024 WE Local U.S. conferences.
Las Vegas Opening Keynote
Doa J. Ross, PE
Deputy General Manager of Engineering
Las Vegas Valley Water District & Southern Nevada Water Authority
As deputy general manager of engineering, Doa oversees the Engineering, Infrastructure Management and Customer Care & Field Services Departments. Her duties include infrastructure design and construction, asset management, expansion in support of development, metering, billing, and system reliability, with an emphasis on implementing innovative solutions for sustainability and conservation.
At WE Local Las Vegas, Doa will discuss her journey overcoming stereotypes within a male-dominated profession and offer her personal top 10 tips on how to go from an entry-level position to management.
Las Vegas Closing Keynote
Kristina Kennedy
Engineering Associate Professor; Senior Faculty Director
The Ohio State University
Kristina Kennedy learned early on about the importance of standing up and speaking out. In her WE Local Las Vegas keynote session, “Lift While You Lead,” she’ll share the ways she found success in her career, but more importantly, helped support junior associates to achieve success by lifting while she led.
Baltimore Opening Keynote
Wendy Cocke
Engineering Leadership Solutions
Founder
At WE Local Baltimore, hear from Wendy Cocke, a dedicated Society of Women Engineers member for 25+ years, chemical engineer, bestselling author and founder of Engineering Leadership Solutions. With a background in leading technical teams for Fortune 500 companies, Cocke now consults and teaches at her alma mater. Through her books, including “Making Flex Work: Defining Success on Your Own Terms,” she advocates a personalized, small business-minded approach to career customization, changing the conversation on work dynamics.
Wichita Opening Keynote
Heather Meyer
Vice President, U.S. Quality
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Join WE Local Wichita to hear from Heather Meyer, who joined Spirit in December 2022 and currently oversees quality operations programs for Spirit’s U.S. sites. Meyer was previously with Textron Aviation, where she served as vice president of quality assurance, managing manufacturing quality for commercial, defense products and aftermarket parts. During her 17 years at Textron, she held various roles, including regulatory approval, manufacturing support services, customer quality, and experimental program introduction quality. Meyer is also active in her community, serving as a board member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and a leader at Leadership Augusta, Kiwanis Club, and Junior Achievement.
