Want a candid look at how women build durable careers in one of the world’s toughest industries? We sit down with three semiconductor leaders - Nitza Bosoco, Anne Meixner and Julia Freer - who share how early encouragement, gritty problem solving, and clear communication turned curiosity into impact. From summer jobs at national labs and early days at IBM to leading operations, test, and sustainability initiatives, their stories show why diverse voices aren’t just nice to have—they’re a competitive advantage.

We dig into the real moments: being the only woman in a test engineering group, pushing for inclusive language that actually changes culture, and navigating career pivots to balance family, flexibility, and ambition. You’ll hear how mentorship and sponsorship differ—and why you need both—plus specific tactics to make them work inside fast-moving chip companies. One unforgettable segment starts with a five-minute crash-and-burn presentation and becomes a two-year, teamwide communication overhaul that turns shy engineers into confident presenters ready for conferences and boardrooms.

Across materials science, advanced packaging, test and inspection, and sustainability, the thread is clear: communication is a core engineering skill. Writing reflective status reports, designing slides for decisions, and telling a tight technical story can accelerate yield improvements, align manufacturing and supply chain, and win executive support. We also tackle today’s DEI headwinds with a practical lens—keep the pipeline alive, promote from within, and build programs that outlast policy shifts. The conversation closes with why their new book matters: ordinary, relatable role models who show many valid paths into STEM and semiconductors.

Learn more about the book, Empowering Women in STEM. 

Teradyne
Teradyne test solutions for semiconductors lets customers consistently meet their quality standards.

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