Solidifying Your Legacy With SWE

Read the story of Kelly Hon and her decision to establish a SWE endowment.
Kelly and Ryan Hon
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Supporting a cause close to your heart is an incredible way to leave a meaningful legacy. Whether it is advancing women in STEM, addressing global inequities, or supporting underserved communities, identifying and supporting a cause that resonates with your values allows you to drive change where it matters most to you. For Kelly Hon, current SWE senator, SWE represents a community that has not only supported her professional journey, but also holds the power to create transformational opportunities for others globally.

Kelly joined SWE in 2007 as the Georgia Tech-SWE historian, later becoming Atlanta-SWE vice president of outreach and SWE-San Diego president. She is the Corporate Partnership Council lead for her organization, Becton Dickinson (BD), which is also one of the founding SWE Global Champions. In 2022, Kelly was selected for BD’s prestigious Jeffrey Sherman Life-Changers Award for advancing inclusion and diversity for women in STEM. A unique aspect of this honor was the opportunity to donate to a charity organization of her choice.

In regard to this opportunity, Kelly shared, “SWE has been a cornerstone of my professional journey since my collegiate days, providing invaluable mentorship, support, and opportunities to grow as a leader in STEM. So, for me, the choice was clear: SWE!”

Through study abroad experiences, international business travel, and peer connections, Kelly has been exposed to some of the global challenges women face in STEM fields. Establishing the first SWE endowment focused on international programs has allowed her to turn her passion for supporting women in STEM into a legacy that aligns with her commitment to creating lasting change.

Over three years, Kelly and her husband, Ryan, were able to finance and open the Kelly Kloster Hon Global Programs Fund, which is a monetary extension of the existing work and personal dedication she has committed over the years as a global advocate. It is the first of its kind — unlike traditional student scholarships, it is dedicated toward funding programs submitted to SWE’s Program Development Grant (PDG).

“This endowment is a tangible reflection of my belief that women in STEM, no matter where they live, should have access to the unique resources needed to thrive,” shares Kelly. “To accomplish this, meaningful, sustained investment is required, and I am thrilled to play a part. I look forward to seeing the impact of this fund over the years!”

Kelly’s story demonstrates how pairing personal contributions with corporate resources, like awards and matching programs, can multiply the impact and lead to extraordinary outcomes that might otherwise seem unattainable.

Are you interested in discussing ways you would like to leave your mark and/or how to leverage similar opportunities to maximize the impact of your giving? Please reach out to Sohn Cook, SWE’s senior development manager, strategic partnerships.

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