Diverse: a SWE podcast

Society of Women Engineers
  • 4.7 (28)
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Diverse: a SWE podcast

Welcome to Diverse, a podcast by the Society of Women Engineers. SWE gives women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering community. On Diverse, we highlight incredible thought leaders and personalities in the STEM community and discover who they are at home, at work and in between.

  1. 5D AGO

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

    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 groundbreaking partnership through the Fem.AI initiative. They share innovative strategies to address the three leakage points in the tech talent pipeline for women, including tackling the alarming statistic that 50% of women leave tech careers before the 12-year mark. Learn how they're reimagining the talent pipeline by connecting high-potential students from over 200 universities with industry opportunities and developing early career leadership programs to empower a new generation of tech leaders.

    24 min
  2. Episode 307 Engineering Your Next Act: How Getting Fired Launched Lori McDowell’s Best Chapter

    MAR 18

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

    This episode is brought to you by Crown. 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 book, The Reinvention Mindset, and a thriving coaching practice. She shares practical insights about navigating financial uncertainty, finding supportive communities, and integrating both logical and creative thinking. As members of SWE's Late Career and Retiree Affinity Group, both women explore how experienced engineers can embrace new chapters with confidence. As a proud member of SWE's Late Career and Retiree Affinity Group, Lori offers valuable insights for women engineers considering their next chapter, emphasizing that it's never too late to reinvent yourself.

    21 min
  3. Episode 306 Apple's Engineering Camp: Mentorship, Diversity, and Design

    MAR 8

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

    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 President Karen Roth, Lindsay, and Alden reflect on their personal journeys and share how strong community support empowered them to thrive and innovate. They also share how opportunities like the Apple Engineering Camp and SWE offer invaluable mentorship through hands-on learning experiences. This episode offers lessons for both emerging and established engineers, emphasizing how good design and diverse perspectives can transform lives and shape our technological future.

    25 min
  4. Episode 305: Navigating New Routes: Women Engineers Transforming Public Transport

    FEB 27

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

    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 on the importance of gender parity and diversity within the sector and offers valuable insights on the skills women engineers need to succeed in public transport. From innovative advancements in passenger communication to the critical need for mentorship, Renée emphasizes how being bold and breaking down barriers can help pave the way for future generations of women leaders. This episode is an empowering conversation about transforming an often-overlooked field and creating lasting change.

    20 min
  5. Episode 304 Breaking Barriers Together: Insights on Allyship at GE Vernova

    FEB 24

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

    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 journey and motivations for advocating for women in STEM, offering practical strategies, personal anecdotes, and invaluable advice for women navigating male-dominated fields. He also discusses GE Vernova's DEIB initiatives and emphasizes the role of allies in creating an inclusive environment. Don’t miss this thought-provoking exploration of what it truly means to be a great ally in the workplace and beyond, including the importance of mutual respect, open communication, and shared goals in building a culture of support and empowerment.

    20 min
  6. Episode 303: Navigating Hidden Curriculums in STEM with Camille Smith, Founder of STEM So(ul)cial

    FEB 18

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

    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 in advancing their careers. 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. Smith also describes how STEM So(ul)cial, a hub for aspiring and established Black STEM professionals, is empowering Black STEM professionals through community-building and resource-sharing.

    22 min

  7. FEB 9

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

    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 Brooklyn, where her father’s work sparked her interest in engineering, and takes us through her global career spanning over two decades, including assignments in Iraq, China, and Mongolia. She dives into the evolving challenges of security engineering, the transformative power of mentorship, and the importance of building supportive communities for women in STEM. Marks also shares how organizations like National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and SWE have helped in shaping her career and offers practical advice for aspiring engineers interested in exploring opportunities at the State Department.

    20 min

  8. FEB 4

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

    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 STEM, starting with a love for archaeology, and reflects on the challenges she’s faced as a woman of color in engineering. Together, they explore the systemic barriers that contribute to health disparities and underrepresentation in STEM fields. Walker-Hannon also delves into the hidden toll of systemic challenges, exploring how adversity can shape resilience and inspire change. She unpacks the ripple effects of chronic stress on health, the power of community awareness, and the transformative potential of advocacy.

    34 min
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    4.7
    out of 5
    28 Ratings

    About

    Welcome to Diverse, a podcast by the Society of Women Engineers. SWE gives women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering community. On Diverse, we highlight incredible thought leaders and personalities in the STEM community and discover who they are at home, at work and in between.

    Information

    • Creator
      Society of Women Engineers
    • Years Active
      2015 - 2025
    • Episodes
      324
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © All rights reserved
    • Show Website
      Diverse: a SWE podcast

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