The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) invited a few special guests to join us at the WE24 Diverse Podcast Studio, powered by Apple, at last year’s WE24 conference in Chicago.
Ten sessions were recorded live, and we have a compilation of these special podcast episodes listed below for your next listening binge.
These episodes are being released over the next 6-8 months, so be sure to subscribe to the Diverse podcast on your favorite streaming service or bookmark this page to check back often.
Ep 303: Navigating Hidden Curriculums in STEM with Camille Smith, Founder of STEM So(ul)cial
Camille Smith, a chemical engineer and founder of STEM So(ul)cial, explores the challenges and opportunities for women and minorities in STEM. She sheds light on the “hidden curriculums” that influence career growth, the critical role of community, and why documentation is essential for performance reviews and promotions.
Ep 302: Security, STEM, and Sisterhood: Lessons from Tricia Marks’ 20+ Years at the State Department
Tricia Marks, director of security technology operations at the U.S. Department of State, shares her incredible journey as a trailblazing woman in engineering, reflecting on her upbringing in Brooklyn, where her father’s work sparked her interest in engineering. She also dives into the evolving challenges of security engineering and the transformative power of mentorship.
Ep 300: The Toll of Stress: Understanding Weathering and Its Impact on Women of Color
Louvere Walker-Hannon, application engineer senior team lead at MathWorks, unpacks the concept of weathering — the physical toll chronic stress takes on the human body, especially among women of color. She also delves into the hidden toll of systemic challenges, exploring how adversity can shape resilience and inspire change.
Ep 297: Engineering a Legacy: Grassroots Fundraising and Mentorship at GE
Megan Stewart of GE Vernova and Kim Hammer of GE Aerospace discuss how employee-led initiatives, competitive tactics, and executive support fostered a culture of giving and mentorship in the organization. They also share how fundraising strategies evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic and the new initiatives they introduced like STEM for STEM to sustain engagement.
Ep 294: The Power of Perseverance With Secretary of Puerto Rico DTOP Eileen Vélez-Vega
Longtime SWE member Eileen Vélez-Vega speaks with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, about making history as the first woman to be appointed Secretary and CEO of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works, her inspiring STEM journey and the unique pivots along the way, and how being a Latina in engineering has served as a superpower.
Ep 289: How Chicago Public Schools Partnered With SWE to Provide a Hands-On STEM Experience
Kelli Easterly, executive director of STEM at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and Eleonora Chakraborty, president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Chicago Regional Section, discuss with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of SWE, how their unique STEM outreach partnership for “Invent It. Build It.” inspired CPS students, parents, and educators to explore engineering through hands-on STEM activities.
