SWE President

10/14/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – October 14, 2026

Welcome to another edition of WoWW! This week’s advice comes to us from Rebecca Malotke-Meslin. I met Rebecca when she was leading the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Women’s Leadership Program (of which I participated alongside an amazing cohort!) in Kansas City in 2025. We’ve since shared some great conversation, meals, and drinks AND Rebecca’s even engaged with Society of Women Engineers - SWE to share her wisdom on leading confidently, authentically, and unapologetically! She reminds us to:

“TALK WELL BEHIND PEOPLE’S BACKS, THEN TELL THEM DIRECTLY. WE ALL NEED TO HEAR IT!”

As I’m in the heart of employee-owner performance review season at Burns & McDonnell (a time I truly love!), this advice is timely. I’ve always believed that feedback is a “gift,” so how will you provide positive feedback this month?

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Kerrie Greenfelder

10/11/2026

Congratulations to our CEO and Executive Director, Karen Kalata Horting, on her prestigious recognition from Johns Hopkins University. The Global Achievement Award honors alumni who exemplify professional excellence in the international arena, and her leadership and service to SWE embody that standard brilliantly! Cheers!

10/07/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – October 7, 2026

Welcome to another edition of WoWW! This week’s advice comes to us from Society of Women Engineers - SWE Fellow, Ellen Ferraro. Active in our Boston (MA) Section, she’s led quite the successful career as a systems engineer in the aerospace and defense industry. Ellen reminds us:

“HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF AND BE WILLING TO STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!”

Her timing couldn’t be better with WE26 (we26.swe.org) just around the corner! It’s the ideal space to network, stretch, grow, and yes… occasionally fail. That’s where the real learning happens.

Stepping into the role of FY27 President has given me plenty of opportunities to test my own mettle. And if you’ve read my new SWE Magazine interview (https://swe.org/magazine/an-interview-with-fy27-swe-kerrie-l-greenfelder-p-e-f-swe/), you’ll see how much I value connection, community, and the POSSIBILITIES ahead for SWE as we build momentum together!

It’s OK to be afraid of failure. What matters is how you respond to it: learn from it, grow through it, and have the confidence to keep moving forward into those possibilities with momentum!

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Burns & McDonnell Kerrie Greenfelder

09/30/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – September 30, 2026

Welcome to another edition of WoWW – this time for our soon-to-be collegiate members! This week’s advice comes from a SWE pal and current Director, Brittney Elko. Not only is she active on SWE’s Board of Directors, but she’s also active in our Mt. Diablo (CA) Section AND is a strong advocate with a variety of su***de prevention organizations. As a successful chemical engineer in the pharmaceutical sector, she says:

“YOU DON’T NEED TO GO TO A ‘TOP’ ENGINEERING SCHOOL TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE! GO SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU WILL FEEL THE MOST SUPPORTED / COMFORTABLE, BUT STILL CHALLENGED, AND EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT!”

Brittney’s words hit especially close to home for me right now, as I’m deep in the college application trenches with my son while he charts his own engineering path (likely at the University of Kansas, my alma mater!)!

Her reminder is one many of us in the profession know to be true: the name on your diploma might help you land that very first role, but after that, your skills, your work ethic, your network, and your professional community (yes, SWE included!) carry far more weight. Most companies tend to care far less about your GPA or the prestige of your program once you’re out in the field solving real problems. Consider that your official permission slip to breathe a little easier during application season!

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Burns & McDonnell Kerrie Greenfelder

09/22/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – September 22, 2026

Since I was a day behind last week, I’ll be a day early this week with another WoWW! Today’s advice comes from a SWE friend and an executive chief engineer, Deb Whitis. Deb, a member of our Ohio Society of Women Engineers - SWE Section, has had a very successful career in materials science and manufacturing. She shares advice given to her from her father:

"THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE."

She reminds us that your time as a student is not only to learn the subject matter (engineering) you are studying. It is to also learn “how to learn” because you’ll be retooling your skills throughout your whole career! Therefore, get used to spending time honing your craft, and teaching others (even if you are just learning yourself!). Whether it is through SWE, other professional societies, experts at your job, or other mentors you find, make sure to utilize ALL of the resources around you to gain new perspectives about your field and how these interactions make the world a better place!

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Burns & McDonnell Kerrie Greenfelder

09/18/2026

Last night I had the pleasure of attending one of my home section's signature events, WE KC. The keynote, Katie Schultz of Black & Veatch, reminded us women in engineering and technology that she's "Glad You're Here!"

I then caught one of the two panels, a candid talk on women engineers in sports and heard great stories from an NFL Cheerleader (Josi Pena of Burns & McDonnell), a mutli-event track star (Camille Durand of KCNSC), a successful distance runner (Faith Johnson of Kiewit), and a pickleball / intermural sports fanatic (Grace Booth of Burns & McDonnell). I have no doubts that the other panel on mentorship (by Jessalyn Magee of WSP) was just as fantastic!

Thanks to the Kansas City Section for planning and hosting this inspiring event AND doing it in a place that I can take a selfie with my favorite mascot at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus!



Kerrie Greenfelder

09/17/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – September 17, 2026

Today’s WoWW comes to you on Thursday, as I took a little time off to enjoy the beauty of Casper, Wyoming for some recharging.

This week’s advice comes from an accomplished author, speaker, and computer/software engineering executive in the Society of Women Engineers - SWE Pacific Northwest Section. Shelmina Babai Abji says:

"YOU HAVE LIMITED TIME AND ENERGY. STRATEGICALLY AND INTENTIONALLY INVEST IT ON WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU.”

Which got me thinking about my own values. In SWE leadership, that means choosing the work that moves the Society forward, not trying to do ALL the work. Plus, I’m a firm believer that you should protect your PTO, protect your bandwidth, and lead with intention so your impact stays sharp, not scattered. When you do that, you create space to lead with clarity instead of exhaustion!

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Burns & McDonnell Kerrie Greenfelder

09/10/2026

Congratulations to ALL of our award recipients! I hope each of you take a few moments to reflect on your distinguished accomplishments and well-deserved honor! I can't wait to celebrate with you in Boston at WE26!

Congratulations to the 2026 SWE Awards recipients! 🎉

This year’s honorees are making an impact across engineering, technology, leadership and service while advancing women in engineering and inspiring the next generation.

We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to recognizing this incredible group at WE26 in Boston this November!

Meet the 2026 SWE Awards recipients at the link in the comments.

09/09/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – September 9, 2026

Welcome to another edition of WoWW! This week’s advice comes from a distinguished Society of Women Engineers - SWE Fellow (and recently announced recipient of SWE’s Distinguished Service Award! Congratulations!) Laurie Ramsay. Active in our Detroit Section and successful in her long career as a chemical engineer in the automotive industry, she says:

“ALWAYS PRESENT MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS, IF POSSIBLE, PREFERABLY IN A DECISION MATRIX FORMAT. THE RIGHT FIX MAY BE THE QUICKEST VS. CHEAPEST VS. MOST ROBUST."

Laurie’s advice seems to surface every Wednesday for me... It’s the halfway point of the week and she's right, clarity beats momentum, positioning Wednesday as a “reset” moment. I love her suggestion of a matrix as a clarity “tool” to help move the decisions forward. What about you? Does “Hump Day” get you each week, too? Do you use a decision matrix at work / school / life?!

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Burns & McDonnell Kerrie Greenfelder

09/02/2026

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays – September 2, 2026

I’m back with another WoWW! This week’s advice comes from a SWE friend and former Director, Enanga Daisy Fale. Enanga, a systems engineer in our Minnesota Section, shares:

"YOUR EXPERIENCE IS YOUR CURRENCY. KNOW THAT A PARTICULAR CAREER MOMENT MAY NOT CONSTITUTE IMMEDIATE VALUE, BUT IT SHAPES YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND CAPABILITIES FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES."

Which got me thinking about the _value_ of a SWE membership. Did you know for less than THIRTY CENTS a day, you can be a SWE member, too?! There’s no better time to join the best organization for women in STEM than RIGHT NOW! Click here for all the membership details: https://swe.org/membership/join-swe/

[Background / Context: As I’ve traveled and connected with SWE members, partners, and allies across our global community, I’ve gathered advice that stays with you. These insights come from real moments, real lessons, and real experiences that shape how we grow as engineers and leaders. Each Wednesday, I will share one of these reflections.

I hope you jump into the conversation, react to the advice, build on it, or share how it shows up in your own journey. And IF YOU HAVE WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to a future Wednesday post, please feel free to use the link in the comments below.]


Burns & McDonnell Kerrie Greenfelder