Swe Podcasts

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, celebrated each year in the U.S. to honor the contributions, stories, and impact of the Arab American community. In this episode, civil engineer and construction manager Ashwaq Alhammami and transportation project engineer Farrah Rawashdeh join host FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat to explore their personal experiences as Arab American women in engineering. Hear how their identities shape the way they approach their STEM careers, along with examples of how they have navigated cultural differences in the workplace. They share the career pivots that led them to this moment — including starting over in a new country, walking away from a Ph.D. program, and adapting to a change in graduation plans — and reflect on the creation of the American Arab Engineering Society. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting nearly 45,000 members of all genders spanning 90+ countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for wom

Audrey McCormack, opening keynote for WE Local Dublin and senior director, research & commercialisation facility lead at MSD Ireland, discusses how engineers can turn failure into a powerful career advantage in this episode. In conversation with host Sam East, Audrey reflects on her unconventional path from electrician to biotech leader and shares how the moments that didn’t go to plan shaped her resilience, confidence, and leadership style. Hear how to pursue STEM roles when you don’t meet every requirement, rebuild confidence after a failure, and create space for your team to take risks — even in high-stakes technical environments. Audrey will expand on these insights as the opening keynote at WE Local Dublin, taking place April 23-24, 2026. WE Local conferences bring together engineers and technologists for networking opportunities, professional development, and inspiring conversations like this one. Register at welocal.swe.org to join SWE at WE Local Dublin or an upcoming WE Local near you. — The So

Competing on Survivor might seem worlds apart from earning a Ph.D., but Eva Erickson proves that the grit required to succeed in STEM can translate anywhere! In this episode, Eva shares her experience as the first openly autistic contestant on Season 48 of Survivor and as a Ph.D. candidate in engineering at Brown University. She discusses how her analytical mindset helped her tackle challenges on the island, as well as her experience breaking barriers as the captain of the men’s hockey team at Brown University. In conversation with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of the Society of Women Engineers, hear how Eva blends science, competition, and advocacy — plus her advice for women engineers and allies who want to pursue authentic and multifaceted career paths. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access

When women and allies in engineering connect globally, they strengthen the entire community. In this episode, host Abosede Adewole, collegiate engagement lead for the SWE Global Women Engineers Affinity Group, is joined by Banisha Prinja, lead-elect, and Eshika Mahajan, professional development lead, to discuss how they have built relationships with engineers around the world and the benefits they have gained from these global connections. They open up about their experiences as women in STEM, from navigating industries where they were the only women in the room to finding commonalities across their experiences in Nigeria and India. Hear why a global perspective matters at the local level, what to do when you don’t “feel ready,” and how participating in SWE’s Global Women Engineers Affinity Group has grown their networks and leadership skills. Learn more and get involved with the SWE Global Women Engineers Affinity Group: https://affinitygroups.swe.org/global-women-engineers/ — The Society of Women Eng

In this episode, Abigail Mizzi, master’s student in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Purdue University, and Steven Collicott, Ph.D., professor in Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, share the story behind Purdue 1 — a groundbreaking university-led spaceflight mission set for 2027. Abigail is poised to become the first graduate student to conduct her thesis research in space, operating her fluids experiment during three minutes of microgravity. Dr. Collicott will also fly a human-tended experiment studying how liquids move over surfaces in weightlessness — research that can’t be replicated on Earth. In conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat, hear how Purdue 1 became a reality, what it takes to prepare mentally and physically for suborbital flight, and how SWE has shaped Abigail’s STEM journey — including receiving the Outstanding Collegiate Member award. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countr

What does responsible AI actually look like, and who gets to shape it? Live from the WE25 Diverse Podcast Studio in New Orleans, Lisa Thee, TEDx speaker and global AI thought leader, discusses using AI for social good and building technology that puts people first. Lisa shares her unexpected journey from industrial engineering at the University of Michigan to becoming an accidental entrepreneur, and the moment in 2015 when she realized AI could help combat human trafficking — including a collaboration that helped law enforcement recover 130 missing children in its first month. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, hear three practical tips to use AI ethically, where bias enters AI systems, and how SWE and its annual conferences have repeatedly shaped Lisa’s career. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering a

Paige Feikert, research and technology engineer with Spirit AeroSystems, joins us live from the WE25 Diverse Podcast Studio to break down why communication can make or break your impact as an engineer — and how to get better at it. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Paige shares her unconventional career path from biomedical engineering student, to TV news producer at a CBS affiliate, and back into engineering. Hear why storytelling matters in technical work, actionable advice to help you communicate to executives and non-technical audiences, and what producing live TV news taught Paige about teamwork, deadlines, and handling pressure. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.

As part of SWE’s “Un Cafecito With a Woman in STEM” series, spotlighting Latina voices across the globe, this special episode of Diverse is presented in Spanish. Claudia Guerrero, SWE global ambassador and service program leader at GE Aerospace, sits down with host Doris Moreno Maldonado, process engineer at Kellogg’s and lead of the SWE Latinos Affinity Group, for a conversation on antifragility, authenticity, and creating community wherever you are. Recorded live at WE25 in New Orleans, Claudia shares her journey as one of the first women in her family to study engineering in Mexico, her role in growing the SWE affiliate in Querétaro, and surviving a life-altering medical crisis. Hear how to move beyond resilience toward antifragility, build your personal board of directors, and lean into your unique authentic strengths. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change f

Carolina Caro, WE Local Portland keynote and CEO of Conscious Leadership Partners, breaks down communication blind spots for engineers and explores how your communication style shapes your leadership impact in this episode. As a scientist by training, Carolina reflects on why technical expertise isn’t enough and speaks to the platinum rule, where you meet people where they are and communicate in the way they can best receive. In conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat, hear how to strengthen your communication without compromising your authenticity and why communication style is an often-overlooked dimension of diversity. Carolina will expand on these insights as the opening keynote at WE Local Portland, taking place Feb. 27-28. WE Local conferences bring together engineers and technologists for networking opportunities, professional development, and inspirational speakers. Register at welocal.swe.org to join SWE at an upcoming WE Local near you! — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful

Julie Daugherty, engineering associate and process project leader at Corning Incorporated, joins us live at WE25 to discuss how introverts can embrace their strengths and turn them into career superpowers. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, hear how planning ahead builds confidence, how to survive “mandatory fun” networking events, and why finding extroverted champions can be key to career growth in STEM. You’ll also learn how managers can support introverted engineers, what it means to be an ambivert, and why personality diversity leads to stronger teams and better problem-solving. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.

Building a STEM career looks different around the world, but the benefits of mentorship, sponsorship, and community are universal. In this episode, Abosede Adewole, principal electrical engineer with Nigeria’s Federal Housing Authority, and Stella Uzochukwu, country director of the Odyssey Educational Foundation, discuss the differences between mentorship and sponsorship, as well as their personal journeys navigating gender bias in Nigeria’s engineering and technology sectors. Interviewed at WE25 by Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, hear why sponsorship often happens behind closed doors, tips to make yourself visible and “sponsorship-ready,” and how Abosede and Stella are supporting the next generation through STEM outreach initiatives. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusiv

Zoe, SWENext Influencer and FIRST Robotics leader, and Charlee, a member of the 2025 STEM Next Flight Crew youth ambassador program, join us live from the WE25 Diverse Podcast Studio in New Orleans to share their experiences as young STEM leaders. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, they reflect on how Invent It. Build It. sparked powerful connections, what leadership looks like as a precollege student, and how they navigate bias, responsibility, and pressure as “the first” in their communities. Hear their experiences starting STEM clubs and expanding access in rural areas, plus why a strong community is critical to shaping a more inclusive future in engineering. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, vi

This episode is sponsored by BD. Showing up as your authentic self in engineering isn’t always easy. In this conversation, Christine Kearney Hawkins, senior staff R&D engineer in BD’s Peripheral Intervention business and SWE life member, shares her 20+ year journey navigating authenticity, leadership, and innovation in STEM. From being told that she couldn’t be both an engineer and a mom, to learning that her bubbly enthusiasm is a strength and not a liability, Christine reflects on how embracing who she is shaped her career and impact. In conversation with host Sam East, hear how authentic leadership fuels better innovation outcomes, what to do when workplace feedback conflicts with your core values, and practical advice to create cultures where people feel safe bringing their whole selves to work. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering a

Stepping into STEM leadership doesn’t require a senior title or having everything figured out. In this episode, Katie Ashley, volunteer coordinator of the SWE Early Career Professionals Affinity Group (SWE ECP AG), is joined by Zoe Husted, ECP AG conferences and awards co-chair and president of the SWE Golden Gate Section, and Kathryn Wittek, ECP AG design coordinator and president of the SWE Baltimore-Washington Section, to explore what leadership can look like in the beginning years of an engineering career. Drawing from their experiences in SWE, team sports, and technical roles, Zoe and Kathryn share when they started seeing themselves as leaders, how they navigate leading more experienced colleagues, and why learning and leading often happen at the same time. Hear their tips to find community as an early-career engineer, plus how the skills they have developed through SWE have translated into the workplace. The SWE ECP AG was formed to equip individuals with the support, resources, and inclusive commu

This episode is sponsored by Fortune Brands Innovations. In this episode, Karen Morris, vice president of environmental health, safety, and security at Fortune Brands Innovations, discusses how to build an engineering career that can shift and evolve through different seasons of your life. Over her 30+ year career spanning more than a dozen roles, Karen reflects on the career-defining moments that came from unexpected pivots — including taking a role that looked like a step back in order to support her family. In conversation with host Sam East, hear how to navigate career decisions alongside life changes, what she has learned by traveling to the “Clevelands of the world,” and how to create longevity in your engineering journey. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate

Leadership coach, author, engineer, and executive Sabina Nawaz shares how managers and employees can build stronger working relationships in this episode of Diverse. Recorded live at WE25 in New Orleans, Sabina draws on her 14-year career at Microsoft — including advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer — to break down what causes leaders to struggle and how to avoid becoming “that boss.” Hear how leaders can unlock better ideas from their teams, tips to demystify your manager’s working style, and what it means to “never go to work hungry.” — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.

Kim Burton, director of project engineering at Textron Aviation, joins SWE President-Elect Kerrie Greenfelder for a leadership conversation that’s out of this world. Drawing on iconic moments from Star Trek: Voyager, Kim shares how Captain Kathryn Janeway shaped her path into engineering and inspires her leadership philosophy today. Hear lessons from the show that offer real-life guidance for STEM leaders — from decision-making under pressure, to building inclusive teams, to ensuring no crew member is left behind. Recorded live at WE25 in New Orleans, this conversation explores how emotional intelligence, communication, and diverse perspectives fuel high-performing teams — whether you’re commanding a starship or leading humans on planet Earth. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive bene

Kristin Hagen, biomedical engineering student at the University of California, Irvine and lifelong dancer, shares practical tools from the dance world to help women in STEM take up space and present with confidence. Live from the WE25 Diverse Podcast Studio in New Orleans, Kristin shares how choreography, muscle memory, posture, and improvisation can transform the way engineers show up during presentations with host Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine. Hear why confidence begins the moment you walk into the room, how techniques like the “Clinton box” can strengthen your stage presence, and how staying poised helped her recover from an on-stage slip-up during a technical talk. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership

This episode is sponsored by Bechtel. Josefina Alvarez and Kira McKay, supplier quality representatives at Bechtel, sit down with SWE President-Elect Kerrie Greenfelder to discuss how they landed their first jobs through the SWE and SHPE career fairs and also discovered a side of engineering they never knew existed. Recorded live at the WE25 Diverse Podcast Studio in New Orleans, hear about the behind-the-scenes components of engineering — from supply chain to quality systems — and how these roles make iconic projects possible. Kira and Josefina share candid advice for engineering students and new grads, what they’ve learned inside the Bechtel Supplier Quality and Expediting (BSQE) program, and how mentorship, curiosity, and saying “yes” to unfamiliar paths shaped their early careers. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology

Women engineers often struggle to set boundaries or say “no” at work. Srividhya Pallay and Tsega Tefera, solutions architects at Amazon Web Services, joined us live in the WE25 Diverse Podcast Studio to share real-world lessons around overcoming imposter syndrome, finding the confidence to speak up in meetings, and unapologetically protecting their time and energy in their STEM careers. In conversation with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, hear how to handle disagreements with professionalism and grace, calendar-blocking techniques to maintain balance, and go-to phrases to communicate boundaries effectively. — The Society of Women Engineers is a powerful, global force uniting 50,000 members of all genders spanning 85 countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.