The IT Nerd

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) was founded by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in the United Kingdom. INWED was first celebrated in 2014 with the aim of raising awareness about the achievements of women in engineering, encouraging more girls and women to pursue careers in the field, and promoting diversity and inclusivity in the engineering profession. Since its inception, INWED has gained global recognition and is now celebrated annually on June 23rd.

Leading professionals in the engineering and technology fields have shared their insights in anticipation of INWED. Their comments highlight the significance of diversity, gender equality, and inclusion, while celebrating the achievements of women in these industries. These professionals emphasize the need to inspire and empower future generations, break stereotypes, and create equal opportunities for all in engineering and STEM.

Malini Nair, Principal QA Software Engineer, Context Labs:  

“As a female engineer, International Women in Engineering Day holds deep significance for me. It is a moment to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and inspire future generations to pursue their passions in this field. This day serves as a reminder that gender should never limit one’s aspirations or opportunities. It highlights the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment where women can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to drive innovation and success. 

I feel incredibly fortunate to work for a company that shares my belief in the power of diversity and inclusion. At Context Labs, we understand that diverse teams are stronger teams. We embrace and celebrate the talents and contributions of individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We recognize the immense value that women bring to engineering and provide equal opportunities for growth, mentorship, and leadership. By fostering an inclusive culture that values and respects everyone, we create an environment where all voices are heard, ideas are nurtured, and collective success is achieved.”

Annie Shoup, Senior Data Scientist, Context Labs: 

“International Women in Engineering Day holds immense importance in promoting gender equality and encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM. This day serves as a powerful platform to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering, while also inspiring and empowering young girls to explore the exciting opportunities available in STEM fields. It is crucial to showcase diverse role models and highlight their remarkable contributions, breaking the stereotypes and barriers that may discourage girls from pursuing their passions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

On this day, let us come together as a collective force to champion gender equality, foster inclusivity, and create pathways for girls to pursue their dreams in engineering and STEM. By nurturing their talents, inspiring their curiosity, and providing equal opportunities, we can build a world where all aspiring engineers, regardless of gender, can thrive and make significant contributions to the advancement of society. International Women in Engineering Day is a reminder of the transformative power of diversity and the boundless possibilities that await when we break down barriers and empower girls to pursue their passion for STEM.”

Priya Germer, Professional Services Manager, Context Labs:

“Diversity in the workplace is critical because it brings together individuals with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, fostering innovation and driving better business outcomes. By embracing diversity, organizations can tap into a wide range of ideas, insights, and approaches that lead to more creative problem-solving, increased adaptability, and a deeper understanding of diverse customer needs. A diverse workforce also enhances employee engagement and retention, as individuals feel valued and included, leading to higher levels of productivity and satisfaction.

International Women in Engineering Day holds a special significance in highlighting the importance of gender diversity in the engineering field. It serves as a powerful reminder that women bring immense talent and potential to the profession, and their contributions are invaluable in shaping the future of engineering. This day celebrates the achievements of women engineers, while also raising awareness about the need for equal opportunities and representation in the industry. By promoting gender diversity in engineering and supporting women’s advancement, we not only empower women to pursue fulfilling careers but also enrich the field with diverse perspectives, ideas, and innovations. International Women in Engineering Day serves as a call to action, inspiring individuals and organizations to continue working towards a more inclusive and equitable engineering workforce.”

Stacy Bender, Professional Services Application Engineer, Context Labs: 

“In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, I reflect on my own journey and the impact of my father, a construction worker, who sparked my interest in engineering. Working alongside him, I discovered a passion for designing and bringing visions to life. Despite the underrepresentation of women in my industry and engineering classes, I saw it as an opportunity to break stereotypes and forge my own path. 

Choosing a career in engineering is one of my proudest achievements. I encourage everyone to follow their passions, even in fields dominated by the opposite sex. Embracing our unique perspectives can lead to innovation and fresh ideas that others may not have considered.”

Annemie Vanoosterhout, Release and Project Manager, Datadobi:

“International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is an important occasion to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in the engineering field. It is a day to honor the trailblazing women engineers who have made significant contributions to various sectors and have shattered gender stereotypes along the way. INWED highlights the valuable perspectives, skills, and expertise that women bring to the engineering profession, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in driving innovation and progress.

This day serves as a powerful reminder of the need to continue advocating for gender equality in engineering. By showcasing the accomplishments of women engineers, INWED inspires young girls and women to pursue careers in engineering, encouraging them to overcome barriers and pursue their passions. It is an opportunity to empower aspiring engineers to dream big, challenge societal norms, and make a positive impact on the world. Together, we can create an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to thrive and shape the future of engineering.”

Irina Shiyanovskaya, PH.D., Chief Operations Officer & Chief Technology Officer, Folio Photonics:

“With over 50 publications and 11 patents under my belt, covering areas such as optics, organic electronics, flexible displays, and photophysics, I have dedicated my career to the fields of engineering and technology. Consequently, I believe International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) holds significant importance.

INWED serves as a valuable platform to recognize the achievements of women in engineering and challenge prevailing stereotypes. It is a day that encourages inclusivity and diversity within the engineering community and inspires more women to pursue careers in this dynamic field. As a Chief Technology Officer and an Adjunct Professor of Physics, I am committed to fostering equal opportunities and promoting the talent and potential that women bring to engineering. INWED reminds us of the remarkable contributions made by women engineers and reinforces the importance of creating a supportive and empowering environment for future generations.”

Jennifer Palecki, Chief People Officer, Imply: 

“As a woman who has grown her career in tech it’s important to me to create space for other women to do the same, especially for women in engineering. We need to recognize and celebrate the women who have worked tirelessly to create a path for other women in tech and engineering and also continue to advocate for others who join the space. International Women in Engineering Day brings attention to women in engineering and serves as a call to action to the work that still needs to be done to focus on equity and inclusion in the tech field. It’s equally as important that allies exist as part of this journey – companies have to play a part in making the changes needed for women to thrive in engineering.

Imply is actively working to be a part of these changes.  We are building a diverse and inclusive company and part of that work is ensuring we create space for those who identify as female to not only be welcomed to engineering opportunities but have the support and resources they need to flourish in these roles. Through mentorship, a supportive network and ERGs we hope to empower women to succeed and grow in their engineering careers. Imply will continue to strive to ensure that women in tech and engineering have an environment where their perspectives are recognized, valued and a part of what pushes our company forward.”

Caroline Seymour, VP of Product Marketing, Zerto, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company: 

“In 2023, according to MIT Professional Education the gender gap in STEM remains significant, with women making up only 28% of the STEM workforce. As a long-time professional working in the technology field, I’m well aware of the underrepresentation of women in the industry. While people are much more aware of the gender gap than they have been in the past, a divide still remains which needs to be overcome. The roots of the issue start before women enter the workforce. As they’re growing up, girls can be subjected to biases (both conscious and unconscious) early on in their schooling and are often actively discouraged from pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math. Quite often teachers and parents underestimate girls math’s skills starting as early as preschool. We need to do far more at an earlier stage. Mentoring girls and encouraging them to pursue STEM coursework into higher education is a start. Opportunities such as classes and scholarships that cater to girls interested in the field are also important. It’s vital to support young women early in their life so they have the background, support, and confidence to overcome gender biases in STEM.

Further down the road, companies can also take action to achieve gender equality. They can start by using job descriptions which are gender neutral, gathering diverse candidates for interviews, and making sure there are women present on the interviewing team. Additionally, there should be regular pay equity reviews, mentorship and advancement opportunities for different groups, and regular evaluation of the hiring and promotion process to spot any potential biases.”

Saadia Khan, VP, Engineering at Hammerspace

“This day offers a platform for women engineers to share their experiences, working in a technical industry and the unique challenges many women face building careers and advancing into leadership in the high-tech space. It is an exciting time for the technology sector and engineering disciplines, with opportunities abounding in all types of engineering roles. I have had the opportunity to grow my career by contributing to patents and advancements in open-source software communities. I encourage other like-minded women to examine how they can further their contributions to the technical community by getting involved with both open source and standards work.

International Women in Engineering Day reminds us of the increasing number of women entering engineering disciplines and their significant contributions. We are proud to recognize and uplift the women who have chosen careers in STEM. By profiling women in engineering and sharing our stories, we will inspire the next generation and focus on the exciting career opportunities available to young women interested in entering this industry. With the increasingly rapid development of exciting new technologies, such as AI, our future requires more engineers and will be enriched by the talent and perspectives that women bring to engineering-driven solutions.”