My journey with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) began conventionally. I joined SWE without realizing it would become a transformative experience.
I became a SWE member with the support of my organization which sponsors bulk membership to its employees. One day, while reading the SWE e-newsletter, I noticed a call for SWE global ambassador nominations. Having gained recent leadership experience in my organization, I decided to apply.
In January 2016, I received an email confirming my nomination as a SWE global ambassador. I shared the news with my manager and diversity leaders, and I was met with enthusiastic support.
That same year, SWE held its first WE Local India conference in Pune. My leaders encouraged my attendance, and I was the sole ambassador from my organization. The conference was a turning point. I connected with leaders from various organizations, SWE officials, and peers. Everyone I interacted with treated me as an individual rather than just a role or title. This inclusive environment was deeply motivating.
Inspired by the conference, I collaborated with a colleague to establish the SWE Chennai Affiliate in August 2016, starting with four members. I served as president for three years and currently hold the position of affiliate board member. As an affiliate board member, I also took on the role of vice president of awards. In this role, I spearheaded the creation and implementation of several award categories, all culminating in a celebratory awards ceremony.
Eager to explore further opportunities, I noticed an opening for the SWE Leadership Coaching Committee (LCC) in the SWE e-newsletter. I applied and was accepted, becoming a joint-focused coach.
In this role, I coached multiple affiliates, helping them enhance their performance. Under my guidance, four affiliates in India significantly improved their contributions to SWE, including webinars, professional development events, and blogging.
Being a SWE leader has elevated my external presence, allowing me to connect with leaders across various organizations who recognize me by name. Colleagues have shared how they follow my work on LinkedIn and feel inspired by my journey.
In 2022, my abstract was selected for the WE Annual conference. I presented my topic at WE22 to an audience of about 1,000 attendees, receiving outstanding feedback.
I also presented at the WE Local conference in Bengaluru in 2023. As part of the LCC, I trained global coaches on the topic of “Partnering Global Ambassador and Global Coaches,” bridging SWE ambassador goals with affiliate activities. I received positive feedback from my peers afterwards.
Since 2017, I have been a member of the SWE WE Local Advisory Board, initially as a special consultant and later as an active contributor. As the technical track chair for 2023 and 2024, I oversaw the review of technical abstracts, ensuring high-quality selections through multiple rounds of evaluations.
All my contributions to SWE are voluntary. I am driven by passion and a desire to support others, particularly young girls, in their early development.
I was fortunate to have strong support from my family and organization, but I recognize that not everyone has this privilege. SWE has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, and I am committed to giving back.
SWE has been a constant in my life since 2016, providing a platform for me to support and mentor others while growing personally and professionally. Thank you, SWE, for empowering women engineers like me!
