Episodes

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

    Ep 333: Building Self-Trust From the U.S. to India With Kelsea Fitzgerald
    Sep 16 2025
    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 build self-trust by taking uncomfortable steps out of their comfort zones. Plus, hear what Kelsea loved the most about WE Local Bengaluru, including moderating a panel on self-trust and finding a sense of community with new STEM connections. WE Local conferences events bring together engineers and technologists of all genders for professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and inspirational speakers. Find the next WE Local conference near you at welocal.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.
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    18 mins
  • Ep 332: Advancing Sustainability and the Circular Economy With Cassie Gruber of Jabil

    Ep 332: Advancing Sustainability and the Circular Economy With Cassie Gruber of Jabil
    Sep 9 2025
    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 leading global sustainability strategies in manufacturing. Hear the biggest sustainability challenges she is seeing across 16 sectors, the importance of collaboration in the circular economy, and why Jabil is a unique place for engineers to grow and thrive in their 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. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit membership.swe.org.
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    28 mins
  • Ep 331: From Engineering to the Appalachian Trail — and Back Again

    Ep 331: From Engineering to the Appalachian Trail — and Back Again
    Sep 2 2025
    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 her unconventional journey as a career strength. In conversation with host Sam East, Cassandra shares stories from the trail (including losing her shoes in a river), her experience of reentering the STEM workforce, and how engineers can leverage their personal adventures to highlight the unique skills they bring to the table. ----- 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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    22 mins
  • Ep 330: Like Mother, Like Daughter: A STEM Story from India

    Ep 330: Like Mother, Like Daughter: A STEM Story from India
    Aug 26 2025
    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 she’s carrying that legacy forward by founding the first SWENext Club in India and pursuing her dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. In conversation with Sam East, Bharti and Aavya discuss how opportunities for girls in engineering have evolved, the power of role models, and the unique bond that comes from sharing a STEM passion across generations. Know a precollege kid interested in STEM? Join SWENext, the Society’s free program that allows students ages 5 through 18 to join the SWE engineering and technology community! Learn more and get involved at swe.org/outreach/swenext/ --- 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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    20 mins
  • Ep 329: Breaking Rules and Taking Risks With Melanie Lang, CEO of FormAlloy

    Ep 329: Breaking Rules and Taking Risks With Melanie Lang, CEO of FormAlloy
    Aug 19 2025
    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 made along the way, her tips on embracing failure, the rule she wishes women engineers would break more often, and what a pink feathered suit jacket taught her about authenticity. Don’t miss Melanie’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.
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    19 mins
  • Ep 328: Crafting Your STEM Legacy With Dr. Ruth Jones

    Ep 328: Crafting Your STEM Legacy With Dr. Ruth Jones
    Aug 12 2025
    Dr. Ruth Jones, deputy division chief at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, 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.
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    25 mins
  • Ep 327: Myths Versus Modern Reality in Construction Management With Carol Holland

    Ep 327: Myths Versus Modern Reality in Construction Management With Carol Holland
    Aug 5 2025
    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.
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    32 mins
  • Ep 326: Speaking Up as Collegiate Women in Engineering

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