Global Voices in Engineering

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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/

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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/

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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.

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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.

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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

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?”

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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.