Rising Stars Shine at AIChE Workshop to Empower Women in Engineering
More than fifty exceptional women from companies around the world participated at a Leadership Workshop for Rising Star Women in Engineering, December 11, 2018, in New York City. The workshop was held prior to the AIChE Gala at the NY headquarters of global biopharmaceuticals company Pfizer Inc, a top employer of women in executive leadership roles and one of the AIChE Gala honorees.
In welcoming the Rising Star attendees, June Wispelwey, AIChE Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, remarked on the progress women have made within the engineering profession — a field that many women leave in their early or mid-careers, often due to the dynamics within their organizations. Wispelwey noted that the 2018 AIChE gala had raised approximately $570,000 to support efforts to expand women’s leadership programs, improve the retention of women engineers at all stages in their careers, and strengthen pre-college science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for girls — all aimed at creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone is recognized for their talents and contributions.
“Through our gala and supporting programs, like today’s Rising Star workshop, we can inspire more women to be formidable advocates for themselves and their colleagues,” - June Wispelwey
At the Rising Star workshop, Susan Dunlap, an executive coach and communication trainer, examined the dynamics of gender communication norms and the differing communication styles of men and women in the workplace. Dunlop explained how gender stereotypes and implicit biases can potentially impede career progress — with attendees learning how to circumvent those roadblocks.
The workshop included an executive panel discussion featuring leaders from industry, who offered advice on how women can find their authentic voices, navigate workplace hierarchies, and communicate effectively. Panelists included Karen Carter, Chief Inclusion Officer and the Chief Human Resources Officer, The Dow Chemical Company; Bruce Chinn, President of Chevron Chemicals; Erin Kane, President and Chief Executive Officer of AdvanSix Inc., and an organizer of the workshop; Patricia Rossman, Chief Diversity Officer, BASF Corporation; and Pamela Siwik, Vice President, Pfizer Global Supply, Pfizer Inc.
Organizations represented at the workshop included AdvanSix; AIChE; Air Liquide; Air Products; Arnold & Porter; Arsenal Capital Partners; BASF Corporation; Bechtel; Chemours; Chevron Corporation; Covestro LLC; The Dow Chemical Company; Honeywell; Innophos, Inc.; LyondellBasell; Pfizer Inc; Praxair; and WACKER Chemical Corporation.
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