PELS Podcast Series

Tune in with Marium Rasheed, member of the IEEE PELS WIE Committee, as she hosts the podcast, Power At the Table, in a fireside chat with Silva Hiti, Vice President of Electric Power Conversion at Rivian. 

Abstract:

In this fireside chat, Dr. Silva Hiti, Vice President of Electric Power Conversion at Rivian, shares her journey from growing up in former Yugoslavia to contributing to the pioneering GM EV1 program, shaping technologies in multiple startups, and now leading vertically integrated power electronics and motor development at Rivian. She reflects on navigating ambiguity, making fast strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving EV landscape, and building high-performing engineering teams. Silva also speaks candidly about mentorship, identity, and the realities of being a woman in engineering, as well as how she stays grounded while operating at an executive level.

Attendees will gain insights on making career moves across OEMs and startups, leading teams in high-velocity environments, understanding emerging EV technology trends, and balancing technical passion with business realities. The conversation also offers practical guidance for early-career engineers and women in engineering on confidence, mentorship, and taking opportunities even when you don’t feel 100% ready.

Whether you’re an aspiring technical leader, an EV enthusiast, or a student charting your path in power electronics, this session delivers both a strategic perspective and the human story behind a leader helping shape the future of electric mobility.

Join the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) for an inspiring conversation with Silva Hiti, Vice President of Electric Power Conversion at Rivian, and a prominent figure in the electric vehicle industry.

The transition to electric mobility is redefining not only vehicle technology but also the essence of engineering leadership. Silva Hiti has been instrumental in shaping the sustainable mobility sector—advancing power electronics, motor drive systems, and electrification technologies that are driving the next generation of transportation. From her early contributions at General Motors to her leadership of innovative teams at Rivian, Silva’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to technical excellence, collaboration, and mentorship.

The fireside chat offers a unique opportunity to learn from her story—a journey that demonstrates how visionary engineering, system-level thinking, and inclusive leadership can transform both technology and teams. Participants will gain invaluable insights into how great engineering leaders balance innovation with empathy, strategy with creativity, and ambition with purpose.

In this episode, we had a chat with Dr. Huai Wang from Aalborg University, who shares his views on how artificial intelligence will become a very powerful tool for power electronics in reducing design time and accurate decision making. Besides this, he also talks about the growing interest of AI from the industries ensuring reduced time-to-market.

In this podcast, we talk to the young and bright minds of h-bridges from the University of Belgrade, one of the runners up team in IFEC 2020, who share their experiences and embark on the importance of design challenges and competitions for qualitative learning.

We had an inspirational conversation with Professor Ned Mohan in this episode. You will hear about his professional journey in the field of power electronics, power systems, and motor drives, as well as some professional advice.

Considering your future career path? Weighing interests between a career in Academia, Industry, or an International Laboratory? Join hosts from the IEEE PELS Young Professional committee in a conversation with three panelists: Yongheng Yang (Zhejiang University), Samantha Gunter (General Motors), and Lalit Patnaik (CERN), who share their experiences and perspectives working on varying challenges in the power electronics industry across the globe. Additionally, hear their advice for students and young professionals looking for future employment opportunities. 

In this episode, we had a chat with Dr. Alan Mantooth from the University of Arkansas, who puts forth his views on the significance of AI/ML, cyber-physical security and design automation for power electronics and about the scope & missions of the newly formed Technical Committee on Design Methodologies (TC10).

Presented by the IEEE Power Electronics Society Technical Committee on Design Methodologies

Internationalization has become a buzz word in many ways.  Academics are expected to make themselves at home internationally. In this talk, I would like to share with you my own years of experience living internationally and how this has impacted my career, my thinking, and my day to day challenges as a professor. 

In this episode, we had an inspirational conversation with Professor John Kassakian. You will hear about his exciting journey in the field of power electronics as well as some professional advice.