Best Work Life Balence Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 345: How to Say No at Work Without Burning Bridges 21:43

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6d ago21:43

21:43

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 …

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Ep 344: Staying on the Technical Career Path: Engineers Leading Through Innovation 31:06

14d ago31:06

31:06

The common advice for career growth is to “move up” into management — but what if your true passion lies in staying close to the technology itself?In this episode, host Sam East speaks with Deb Whitis, Ph.D., and Amrita Maguire, both of the SWE Technical Career Path Affinity Group, about what it means to grow, lead, and make an impact as engineers …

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Ep 343: Olympic Gold Medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley on Leadership, Engineering, and “Why Not Me?” 30:44

20d ago30:44

30:44

In this episode, Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of the Society of Women Engineers, sits down with Olympic gold medalist and industrial engineer Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, the first Black woman to win gold in the 100-meter hurdles — a milestone she achieved at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.Benita shares how she balanced the demands of engi…

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Ep 342: Women Shaping the Steel Industry: A Conversation With Johanna Threm of Nucor 19:40

26d ago19:40

19:40

This episode is sponsored by Nucor.When Johanna Threm, vice president and general manager at Nucor, started her career, she envisioned designing buildings and bridges as a civil engineer. In conversation with SWE Executive Director and CEO Karen Horting, Johanna shares how she transitioned to the steel industry, the lessons she’s learned from takin…

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Ep 341: Indigenous Voices in STEM: A Conversation With Sarah EchoHawk, AISES President 30:03

1M ago30:03

30:03

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting sits down with Sarah EchoHawk, president and CEO of Advancing Indigenous People in STEM (AISES), to discuss visibility, allyship, and access for Indigenous engineers.Sarah shares her family’s deep legacy of public service, the role of tribal colleges i…

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Ep 340: Engineering Comfort, Safety, and Growth: Women at Resideo 36:28

1M ago36:28

36:28

This episode is sponsored by Resideo.In this episode, two engineers share how curiosity, empathy, and innovation shape their work creating smart home technologies.Helen Meza, systems integration lead engineer at Resideo, shares her inspiring path from Peru to the U.S. and discusses how she leads global teams with empathy and adaptability. Kyra Neal…

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Ep 339: Stories of Visible and Invisible Disabilities in Engineering 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

What is it like to navigate STEM while living with a visible or invisible disability?In this episode, Haylee Mota, a recent engineering graduate who is blind, shares how she found her path to aerospace through robotics, hands-on research, and self-advocacy — overcoming barriers like inaccessible course materials. Angelie Vincent, a mid-career aeros…

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Ep 338: Knowing When It’s Time to Move On With Maureen Masiulis of Draper 26:44

2M ago26:44

26:44

This episode is sponsored by Draper.How do you know when it’s the right moment to make a career change? In this episode, Maureen Masiulis, director of space sensing, domain awareness, and control at Draper and acting vice president and general manager of Draper’s Space Systems Business Unit, shares her STEM journey from robotics in middle school to…

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Ep 337: Dreaming Big and Giving Back With Thy Tran of Micron Technology 24:05

2M ago24:05

24:05

From escaping Vietnam as a refugee to becoming vice president of global front-end procurement at Micron Technology, Thy Tran has lived a story defined by resilience and purpose. In this episode, FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat sits down with Thy to discuss her extraordinary path to earning 13 patents, leading global teams, and embracing new challen…

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Ep 336: Finding Your Path in Graduate School: Stories From Engineers 19:07

2M ago19:07

19:07

Engineers Jabreel Walker and Morgan Smith of the GradSWE Affinity Group share their experiences in graduate school in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with host Sam East, they discuss their motivations for pursuing graduate school, the challenges of returning to school after a break, and the differences between the undergraduate and graduate…

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Ep 335: A Fireside Chat With SHPE CEO Suzanna Valdez Wolfe on the State of Latinas in Engineering 30:34

2M ago30:34

30:34

Suzanna Valdez Wolfe, CEO of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), sits down with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.Suzanna shares her journey from El Paso, Texas, to leadership roles in Washington, D.C., and now at SHPE, where she champions familia…

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Ep 334: Women Leading Change in Construction With Turner 35:55

3M ago35:55

35:55

This episode is sponsored by Turner.Blanca Diaz, vice president and construction executive at Turner, and Leah Turner-Jenkins, special projects division manager at Turner, started in the same university engineering program — but their careers took sharply different paths.In conversation with host Sam East, Blanca and Leah reflect on the pivotal tea…

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Ep 333: Building Self-Trust From the U.S. to India With Kelsea Fitzgerald 17:54

3M ago17:54

17:54

Kelsea Fitzgerald, director of operations at Chevron's Engineering and Innovation Excellence Center (ENGINE), shares her journey from studying chemical engineering in the U.S. to taking on a global leadership role in Bengaluru, India. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Kelsea encourages women and allies to buil…

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Ep 332: Advancing Sustainability and the Circular Economy With Cassie Gruber of Jabil 27:43

3M ago27:43

27:43

This episode is sponsored by Jabil.Cassie Gruber, director of sustainability business solutions at Jabil, explores how engineers can shape a more sustainable future in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Cassie explores her unconventional career path from studying art and philosophy to le…

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Ep 331: From Engineering to the Appalachian Trail — and Back Again 22:15

3M ago22:15

22:15

Cassandra Morecroft King, deputy program manager at BlackSea Technologies, did something most people only dream about: she quit her ocean engineering job in oil and gas and set out to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.But the toughest part wasn’t the hike itself — it was reentering the engineering workforce afterward and figuring out how to frame h…

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Ep 330: Like Mother, Like Daughter: A STEM Story from India 19:32

3M ago19:32

19:32

In honor of the 10th anniversary of SWENext, this episode of Diverse brings a special mother-daughter conversation.Bharti B., operations manager at Keysight Technologies, reflects on what it was like to be one of the few women in her computer science classes growing up. Aavya B., who is a SWENext influencer as well as Bharti’s daughter, shares how …

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Ep 329: Breaking Rules and Taking Risks With Melanie Lang, CEO of FormAlloy 19:06

4M ago19:06

19:06

Melanie Lang, co-founder and CEO of FormAlloy, details her entrepreneurial journey and inspires engineers to take bold risks in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat, Melanie reflects on the pivotal decision to leave a stable career in aerospace and defense to launch her own business.Hear the mistakes Melanie …

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Ep 328: Crafting Your STEM Legacy With Dr. Ruth Jones 24:55

4M ago24:55

24:55

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 authe…

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Ep 327: Myths Versus Modern Reality in Construction Management With Carol Holland 31:54

4M ago31:54

31:54

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 bre…

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Ep 326: Speaking Up as Collegiate Women in Engineering 33:07

4M ago33:07

33:07

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, …

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Ep 325: Building Connections Beyond College With Maria Roma-Hossain 28:44

5M ago28:44

28:44

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 con…

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Ep 324: Engineering as a Force for Good With Ana Tijerina Esquino 19:48

5M ago19:48

19:48

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…

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Ep 323: Beyond the Leaky Pipeline With Cassie Leonard and Ashley Wynne 25:29

5M ago25:29

25:29

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 lea…

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Ep 322: From ‘Together We Rise’ to ‘Embrace Your Story’: A SWE Presidential Transition 23:45

5M ago23:45

23:45

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 Inaa…

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Ep 321: Stories from Community College Students & Alumni in STEM 40:33

6M ago40:33

40:33

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.He…

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Ep 320: Talk Isn’t Cheap: What Your Language Choices Cost You 24:12

6M ago24:12

24:12

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…

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Ep 319: Personal Finance for Engineers With Sandra Park 27:28

6M ago27:28

27:28

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, includi…

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Ep 318: How to Navigate Layoffs in Engineering With Brittney Elko and Jessica Rannow 36:00

6M ago36:00

36:00

How can engineers prepare for a potential layoff? What steps should you take immediately after being laid off? And how can you bounce back and find your next career opportunity?In this episode, Jessica Rannow, senior project manager at KPI Solutions, and Brittney Elko, senior director of supply chain at Jasper Therapeutics, answer these questions a…

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Ep 317: The Art of Failure: Kate Hensley on Comedy, Engineering, and Growth 18:38

6M ago18:38

18:38

In this episode of Diverse, Kate Hensley, associate director at Collins Aerospace, joins host Marsha Lynn Bragg, senior editor of publications at the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), to discuss the surprising parallels between STEM and stand-up comedy. Kate shares her nonlinear journey in engineering and how the skills she’s honed through comedy h…

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Ep 316: Game On! Lessons from Board Games to Make Networking Fun 31:05

7M ago31:05

31:05

What if networking could be as fun as game night?! In this special episode of Diverse, recorded live at WE24, hear game enthusiasts and industry leaders Nicole Woon, senior product manager at Microsoft, and Emily Carney, senior manager of site project management at Genezen, explore an unexpected source of networking wisdom: board games. Nicole and …

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Ep 315: Building Community for Military-Connected Engineers 24:47

7M ago24:47

24:47

Helen Mills and Lisa Malmanger, co-leads of the SWE Military and Veterans Affinity Group, share personal stories on why building community is essential for military-connected engineers and their families in this episode of Diverse.Lisa shares the challenges she faced when adjusting to the civilian workforce after serving in the military, and Helen …

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Ep 314: Mindset, Mentorship, and Meaning in STEM With Jayshree Seth, Ph.D. 30:59

7M ago30:59

30:59

In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jayshree Seth, Ph.D., corporate scientist and chief science advocate at 3M, joins us to discuss the motivation behind her latest book, “The Heart of Science: Engineering Blueprint.”In conversation with SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting, Jayshree share…

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Ep 313: Tales From the Archives: 75th Anniversary Edition With The Cooper Union 36:50

7M ago36:50

36:50

To see the photos and documents referenced in the episode, watch the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/UlAoX2duYqMIn this special episode of Diverse, Troy Eller English, chief archivist at SWE, and Mary Mann, archives librarian at The Cooper Union, celebrate SWE’s 75th anniversary by unpacking stories from the archives.They discuss the founding …

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Ep 312: Resilience & Work-Life Balance in Tech With Discover Financial Services 29:12

8M ago29:12

29:12

This episode is sponsored by Discover Financial Services.How can women in tech build resilience, grow into leadership, and still make time for life outside of work? In this episode of Diverse, host Sam East sits down with two inspiring women from Discover Financial Services: Ranjani Rao, director of infrastructure product management, and Jamie Stal…

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Ep 311: Reaching for the Stars With Anousheh Ansari, Astronaut and CEO of XPRIZE 36:45

8M ago36:45

36:45

In this episode of Diverse, engineer, entrepreneur, and space explorer Anousheh Ansari sits down with SWE Executive Director and CEO Karen Horting.As the first female private space explorer, Anousheh shares her extraordinary journey, delving into how her problem-solving engineering skills have shaped her path, as well as her unforgettable experienc…

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Ep 310: Advancing Women in Manufacturing With WiM President Allison Grealis 33:44

8M ago33:44

33:44

Allison Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), sits down with SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting to discuss the state of women in manufacturing.Allison reflects on her experience launching WiM and leading its growth to over 32,000 members today. She shares creative retention strategies and workforc…

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Episode 309: Balancing Technical Excellence with Emotional Intelligence With Theresa Cummings 29:10

9M ago29:10

29:10

Theresa Cummings, CEO of Cummings Consulting & Management LLC and a mechanical engineer by trade, joins host Sam East in this episode of Diverse: a SWE Podcast.Cummings shares her inspiring journey from engineer to leadership consultant, helping industry leaders like NASA and Coca-Cola build stronger teams. Together, they discuss the pivotal role o…

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Episode 308: Fixing the Female Talent Leak in the Tech Pipeline With Cadence Design Systems 23:33

9M ago23:33

23:33

This episode is sponsored by Cadence Design Systems. What happens when industry leaders refuse to accept the status quo in tech diversity? In this episode of Diverse, Nicole Johnson, global director of social impact & employee engagement for Cadence Design Systems, and Dr. Judith Spitz, founder and CEO of Break Through Tech, discuss their groundbre…

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Episode 307 Engineering Your Next Act: How Getting Fired Launched Lori McDowell’s Best Chapter 19:58

9M ago19:58

19:58

This Women's History Month episode of Diverse features a compelling conversation with Lori McDowell, who transitioned from a 30-year career in chemical engineering to become a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and life coach.In conversation with host Hang Loi, Lori candidly discusses how being fired became her catalyst for change, leading to her bo…

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Episode 306 Apple's Engineering Camp: Mentorship, Diversity, and Design 24:52

9M ago24:52

24:52

This episode and the WE24 Podcast Studio are proudly sponsored by Apple. In this episode of Diverse, Lindsay Epstein, product design engineer at Apple, and SWE collegiate member Alden Sherrill discuss the significance of community, diversity in design, and emerging trends in health and clean energy technology. In conversation with FY25 SWE Presiden…

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Episode 305: Navigating New Routes: Women Engineers Transforming Public Transport 20:01

9M ago20:01

20:01

In this episode of Diverse, host Siddika Demir speaks with Renée Amilcar, the first female president of UITP, the International Association of Public Transport, about her trailblazing career in a male-dominated industry.Renée shares her passion for public transport and discusses the vital role it plays in sustainable urban development. She reflects…

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Episode 304 Breaking Barriers Together: Insights on Allyship at GE Vernova 20:18

10M ago20:18

20:18

This episode is sponsored by GE Vernova.In this episode of the Diverse podcast, Reggie Miller, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for GE Vernova, joins host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, to discuss the importance of allyship in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace.Miller shares his personal …

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Episode 303: Navigating Hidden Curriculums in STEM with Camille Smith, Founder of STEM So(ul)cial 21:52

10M ago21:52

21:52

This episode of Diverse welcomes Camille Smith, a chemical engineer and founder of STEM So(ul)cial, to explore the challenges and opportunities for women and minorities in STEM. In conversation with host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, Smith shares her journey of navigating her identity in the workplace and the barriers women of color often face…

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Episode 302: Security, STEM, and Sisterhood: Lessons from 20+ Years at the State Department 20:12

10M ago20:12

20:12

This episode is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In this episode of Diverse, Trisha Marks, director of security technology operations at the U.S. Department of State, shares her incredible journey as a trailblazing woman in engineering with host Larry Guthrie, SWE’s director of content strategy. Marks reflects on her upbringing in Brookly…

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Episode 300: The Toll of Stress: Understanding Weathering and Its Impact on Women of Color 33:32

10M ago33:32

33:32

Louvere Walker-Hannon, application engineer senior team lead at MathWorks, joins us for this episode of Diverse to unpack the concept of weathering — the physical toll chronic stress takes on the human body, especially among women of color. In conversation with host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, Walker-Hannon shares her inspiring journey in ST…

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Episode 301: Building Stronger Teams: Leadership Lessons With Leadership Expert Ucheonye Maple 24:55

10M ago24:55

24:55

In this episode of Diverse, Ucheonye Maple, leadership expert, author, and founder of the Women Who Leap Community, explores the evolving landscape of leadership in high-stakes industries like aerospace and defense, emphasizing the crucial role of empathy, communication, and adaptability. Uche shares her insights on how leaders can foster diverse, …

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Episode 299: Leading with Purpose: Navigating the Leap to Senior Roles 31:07

10M ago31:07

31:07

In this episode of Diverse, host Tracy White, who leads SWE's Mid-Career Professionals Affinity Group, sits down with past SWE Presidents Stacey DelVecchio and Colleen Scholl to explore their journeys into senior management.They share insights on mentorship, senior-level interviews, adapting communication styles, and redefining work-life balance. L…

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Episode 298: From Campus to Career: Building Your Network and Finding Your Voice 35:49

11M ago35:49

35:49

In this episode of Diverse, host Alyssa Acosta, co-lead of SWE’s Early Career Professionals Affinity Group (ECP AG), sits down with guests MP Delisle, past ECP AG co-lead, and Amber Krecemen, ECP AG co-founder, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from college to professional life as women engineers. They share personal insights …

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Episode 297: Engineering a Legacy: Grassroots Fundraising and Mentorship at GE 19:23

11M ago19:23

19:23

This episode is sponsored by GE Vernova and GE Aerospace.As SWE celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, join us as we reflect on GE’s deep-rooted commitment to the organization, dating back to 1961 when it became one of the first companies to donate to SWE. Guests Megan Stewart of GE Vernova and Kim Hammer of GE Aerospace discuss how employee-led …

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Episode 296: Systems Thinking and Innovation in Aerospace Engineering 36:09

11M ago36:09

36:09

In this inspiring episode of Diverse, Enanga Daisy Fâlé, senior systems engineering manager at Northrop Grumman, explores her dynamic career in aerospace. Enanga shares the pivotal experiences and influences that sparked her passion for STEM and led to her leadership role in systems engineering.The conversation also highlights groundbreaking innova…