Global Voices in Engineering

Latest Episodes:

Ep 328: Crafting Your STEM Legacy With Dr. Ruth Jones Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Motivational speaker Dr. Ruth Jones reflects on the importance of leaving a purposeful legacy in this episode of Diverse. As the second African American woman in Alabama to earn a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Jones shares her trailblazing journey and career advice in conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat. Hear what it means to lead as your authentic self, the importance of helping the next generation, and how to become the CEO of your own life. You’ll also get a sneak peek of Dr. Jones’s upcoming keynote at WE25, the world’s largest conference for women and allies in engineering, which takes place Oct. 23-25 in New Orleans: we25.swe.org --- 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.

Ep 327: Myths Versus Modern Reality in Construction Management With Carol Holland Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Carol Holland, board of directors chair-elect of the Construction Management Association of America, sits down with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, to discuss the evolution of the construction management industry and how AI and digital twin technologies are reshaping the field. She shares stories from her high-profile career and breaks down persistent myths about working in construction management, from sustainability and jobsite culture to flexibility and who belongs in the field. Find more of Carol’s insights on the future of construction management in the Spring 2025 issue of SWE Magazine: swe.org/magazine/in-focus-4/ ----- 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.

Ep 326: Speaking Up as Collegiate Women in Engineering Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Speaking up in engineering classes, labs, and group projects isn’t always easy — especially at the collegiate level. In this episode of Diverse, Eden Katz, vice president-internal at Columbia SWE, and Lauren Grae, vice president-external at Columbia SWE, sit down with host Sam East to reflect on how they’ve built confidence as women in engineering, including the moments they spoke up and what happened after. Hear practical advice and relatable stories around using your voice unapologetically and creating STEM environments where everyone feels safe to contribute -- including their favorite phrase that every ally needs to know. --- 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

Ep 325: Building Connections Beyond College With Maria Roma-Hossain Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Transitioning from college to the professional world can be difficult, especially when it comes to growing your network and making friends as an adult. Maria Roma-Hossain, systems engineer at Mammotome, shares her personal experience of navigating the college-to-career transition and making meaningful connections in a new city in this episode. In conversation with Sam East, hear how to put yourself out there, whether coworkers should ever become your friends, and how employee resource groups and SWE sections are fostering belonging for women engineers. --- 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.

Ep 324: Engineering as a Force for Good With Ana Tijerina Esquino Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Diverse, Ana Tijerina Esquino, civil engineer at Mott MacDonald, explains why engineering is fundamentally a helping profession that aims to improve society. Ana discusses her unconventional journey into civil engineering, how infrastructure projects have historically harmed marginalized communities, and sustainable practices that are changing the industry in conversation with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine. Hear Ana’s reflections on the funding of ports and mass transit, as well as the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, in the Spring 2025 issue of SWE Magazine. --- 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

Ep 323: Beyond the Leaky Pipeline With Cassie Leonard and Ashley Wynne Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

The term “leaky pipeline” is often used to describe why women leave STEM careers, but does that language tell the full story? In this episode, Cassie Leonard, aerospace engineer and founder of ELMM Coaching, and Ashley Wynne, technical engineering manager and co-lead of the HeforSWE Affinity Group, share a more nuanced understanding of why women leave engineering roles and how to support their continued growth in the field. In conversation with SWE Executive Director & CEO Karen Horting, hear the limitations of the leaky pipeline analogy and the top pieces of advice for leaders who want to retain STEM talent. Plus, learn about an upcoming book that includes personal stories of women in STEM asking, “Should I stay or should I go?” --- 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.

Ep 322: From ‘Together We Rise’ to ‘Embrace Your Story’: A SWE Presidential Transition Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

On July 1, 2025, Inaas Darrat assumes the role of president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), concluding Karen Roth’s one-year term as SWE president. In this special episode, Karen shares her personal highlights from the past year, insights on how the theme of “Together We Rise” came to life during her presidency, and words of advice for Inaas as she steps into the role. Inaas introduces the FY26 theme of “Embrace Your Story” and reflects on the key pivots throughout her own engineering journey, along with her goals for the upcoming year as SWE president.

Ep 321: Stories from Community College Students & Alumni in STEM Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

What’s it really like to study engineering at a community college, and where can that path take you? Denise Grazielle Cruz, SWE collegiate member at Essex County College, and Maeliz Colon, SWE counselor for the Springfield Technical Community College SWE Affiliate, discuss their STEM experiences at community colleges with SWE President Karen Roth. Hear why they chose the community college path, the stigmas and misperceptions they experienced along the way, advice for women studying engineering, and reflections on how to grow participation within SWE Affiliates at community colleges. --- 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.

Ep 320: Talk Isn’t Cheap: What Your Language Choices Cost You Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Technical skills alone don’t guarantee how you're seen or heard in engineering. In this episode, engineers Zaineb Ahmad and Barbara Read join host Sam East to unpack how language choices shape the way women and underrepresented groups are perceived in STEM workplaces. Hear the key phrases to avoid at work, how to write emails that maintain attention, and communication tips to grow your reputation and confidence. Plus, hear how allies can step in when an idea in a meeting gets credited to someone else. --- 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.

Ep 319: Personal Finance for Engineers With Sandra Park Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Diverse, Sandra Park, financial coach for women in STEM, speaks with SWE President Karen Roth about how engineers can achieve financial independence and gain more freedom in their careers. Sandra shares a financial wake-up call from her own engineering journey and discusses practical steps for building a strong foundation, including budgeting and investing at all career stages. Hear how engineers can apply problem-solving skills to personal finance, a systems approach to paying off student loans, and the #1 financial habit that every woman in STEM should start today. --- 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.

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