Women in Tech: Shaping the Future of Engineering and Innovation
On May 19, 2025, the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) groups from Oregon, Hawaii and Richland hosted a powerful and inspiring virtual session titled “Women in Tech: Shaping the Future of Engineering and Innovation.” 🌐✨
The event celebrated the visionary contributions of women who are driving transformative change across the fields of engineering and technology. 💻⚙️ Attendees joined from across the region to be part of a meaningful conversation centered on innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of women in tech.
The featured speaker, Nita Patel — an esteemed leader and trailblazer in the industry — delivered an insightful keynote. 🎙️ Nita’s experiences and stories resonated deeply with participants, inspiring many to reflect on their own paths and the broader impact of diversity in technology.
The session concluded with a Q&A that encouraged active engagement, personal reflections, and thoughtful dialogue around building a more inclusive and innovative engineering future. 🗣️🤝
Let’s continue amplifying voices, breaking barriers, and shaping the future — together! 🚀👩💻💫
🌟 IEEE Hawaii WIE representative at the 10th IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Conference! 🌟
What an extraordinary experience it’s been at #WIEILC2025! Over two transformative days, our IEEE Hawaii Section Women in Engineering (WIE) chair – Quynh Tran joined passionate leaders, technologists, and innovators from around the world to explore the future of leadership in an AI-driven world — and how we can shape it with purpose, inclusivity, and courage. 🌈🌺🤖
💥 Day 1 Recap:
The energy was electric from the start, with keynotes from trailblazing voices in AI, tech, and academia who didn’t just inform — they ignited! 🚀 Discussions ranged from ethical AI to dismantling deep-tech barriers, all centered on leadership that’s intentional, inclusive, and impact-driven. We dove into real-world challenges and left with practical tools, fresh inspiration, and a deeper sense of purpose. Networking lounges and career workshops buzzed with connection, collaboration, and shared mission. 🔗💬✨
🌟 Day 2 Recap:
The momentum carried into Day 2, where we engaged in deeper conversations about resilient leadership, equity in tech, and inclusive innovation. From technical sessions to big-picture panels, we were challenged to think bigger and act bolder. 💪🌍. On this day, Region 6 team was gathering, where Hawaii WIE connected with peers from across the West Coast. Sharing our journeys, celebrating local impact, and building regional solidarity reminded us just how powerful this community truly is. 🌐✨
As the conference wrapped up, it was clear: this was more than an event — it was a movement.
Mahalo to the organizers, volunteers, speakers, and every attendee who made the 10th IEEE WIE ILC such a powerful experience. Let’s continue the momentum and create a world where innovation thrives through diversity, purpose, and leadership! 🚀👩💻♻️
IEEE WIE Collaborative Event on Sustainable Innovation
📢 Event Report: IEEE WIE Collaborative Event on Sustainable Innovation
📅 Date: April 30, 2025
🕒 Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (PST)
🎤 Speaker: Simay Akar Koehler
The IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Groups from the 🌲 Oregon Section, 🌺 Hawaii Section, 💻 Santa Clara Valley Section, 🌽 Central Indiana Section, 🌄 Spokane Section, 🌊 San Diego Section, 🌴 Coastal Los Angeles Section, and 🏞️ Foothill Section hosted a dynamic virtual event focused on Sustainable Innovation and Climate Solutions. 🌍💡
This inspiring session brought together trailblazing women engineers who are leading the charge in developing groundbreaking technologies for a sustainable future. 💪✨ Attendees had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge climate tech and connect with like-minded professionals committed to building a better world. 🤝
💡 Key Topics Included:
🔋 Renewable Energy & Battery Storage
🌿 Carbon Management & Circular Economy
⚡ Clean Energy Innovations & Climate Tech Trends
Our distinguished speaker, Simay Akar Koehler, delivered insightful perspectives on the intersection of sustainability, technology, and energy transition. 🌱🔬
💬 The event fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing across IEEE WIE communities, underscoring our collective commitment to engineering a greener and more resilient tomorrow. 🌟🌎
Let’s keep innovating for a cleaner, brighter future! 🚀💚♻️
Congratulations to Daisy Green, who elevated to Senior Member in October 2024!
Congratulations to Daisy Green, our IEEE Hawaii Women In Engineering Professional activities officer, for your elevation!
Dr. Daisy Green is an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She was previously a Postdoctoral Associate with the Department of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT in 2018 and 2022, respectively, and the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2015. She conducts research in monitoring, signal processing, machine learning and control with application to efficient and sustainable energy systems.
Interested in elevating to Senior Member?
Email brianne.tengan@ieee.org
Seminar: Large and Small scale energy modelling for Earth energy transition
🎉 🎉🎉
Thank you all for making our event “Large and Small scale energy modeling for Earth energy transition: the experience by PyPSA meets Earth” a huge success! Your engagement, energy, and support truly made it special.
💬 A special shoutout to Dr. Davide Fioriti for his outstanding presentation. Your dedication is inspiring! 🙌
🔎 For those interested in learning more about PyPSA meets Earth, please find the following resources:
📚GitHub Repository (detailed instructions):
https://lnkd.in/g-8JYczJ
📚Discord Server (for discussions, troubleshooting, and feature requests):
https://lnkd.in/gEsbTJYv
📢 If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out!
🎤 Also, if you have a topic you’d like to suggest or are interested in giving a virtual talk to share your expertise with the IEEE community, let’s connect!
🤝 A huge THANK YOU to our amazing co-hosting chapters:
🔹 IEEE Hawaii Power and Energy Society Chapter – Quynh Tran
🔹 IEEE Hawaii Women In Engineering
🔹 IEEE CS Foothill Section Chapter – Sean Hamilton
🔹 IEEE PES Foothill Section Chapter – Koji yamashita
🔹 IEEE PES Seattle Section Chapter – Tanya Panomvana, PE, MBA
🔹 IEEE PES Richland Section Chapter – Biswas Shuchimita, Alex A. Anderson, PhD, Slaven Kincic, Alka Singh
👏 Your partnership made this event possible — thank you for your incredible support, and looking forward to many more collaborations!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 🌸✨
IEEE Hawaii WIE visit Behind the Scenes at Hitachi Rail Honolulu
🚆🌸 IEEE Hawaii WIE visit Behind the Scenes at Hitachi Rail Honolulu on April 12! 💪👩🔧
Members of IEEE Hawaii Women In Engineering (WIE), IEEE Hawaii Power and Energy Society Chapter, and IEEE Hawaii Section had an unforgettable experience during our behind-the-scenes tour of the Hitachi Rail facility in Honolulu! 🌈🚄
From the high-tech operations control center 🖥️📡 to the massive train maintenance shop 🛠️🚋, every stop on the tour gave us a front-row seat to the incredible engineering and dedication behind Hawai‘i’s Skyline system — one of the most advanced autonomous rail networks in the U.S.! 
⚙️
👥 The best part? Meeting the amazing team who powers it all — professionals who go through hundreds of hours of specialized training to ensure safe, smooth, and smart operations every day. Their expertise and passion were truly inspiring! 💪🔥
🙌 This visit was not just educational — it was energizing, especially for our Women in Engineering members. Seeing real-world applications of cutting-edge technology and diverse talent in action reminded us how important inclusion, leadership, and innovation are to the future of sustainable infrastructure. 🌍💫
💐 Huge mahalo to Cara Mazzei for organizing such a thoughtful and engaging tour — and to the entire Hitachi Rail team for sharing your time, stories, and vision with us. We’re excited about what the future holds! 🚀
Panel discussion “Effective Strategies for Finding the Right Mentor”
On March 22, 2025, four IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) groups—from the Hawaii Section, Richland Section, Oregon Section, and Boise Section—came together to co-host a powerful panel discussion: “Empowering Women Engineers: Effective Strategies for Finding the Right Mentor.” We were honored to have three inspiring panelists share their experiences and practical advice on mentorship:
🔹 Nandini Srinivasan – Secretary of the Ad Astra Foundation, Inc., dedicated to supporting women in STEM.
🔹 Naznin Akter, Ph.D., PMP®, CLSSBB – IEEE Young Professionals R5-R6 Experience Specialist for Mentoring-Meet, helping young engineers grow their careers.
🔹 Alka Singh – Senior Power Systems Research Engineer at PNNL, bringing deep expertise in power systems and mentorship.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this engaging discussion!
The event was moderated by Quynh Tran and Jannatun Noor Sameera.
hashtagIEEEWIE hashtagWomenInEngineering hashtagMentorship hashtagLeadership hashtagSTEM hashtagEngineering
IEEE WIE OR Section Affinity Group IEEE WIE Boise Section
🏆 IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering named as the 2024 recipient of the IEEE REGION 6 OUTSTADING AFFINITY GROUP CHAPTER OF THE YEAR!
🎉🏆A huge congratulations to IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering for being named the 2024 recipient of the IEEE REGION 6 OUTSTANDING AFFINITY GROUP CHAPTER OF THE YEAR! This well-deserved recognition honors our dedication to the engagement and empowerment of women engineers in Hawaii and across the Region.
Congratulations to our entire affinity group for being recognized at the Region meeting! This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and positive impact you’ve all made. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you for this well-deserved achievement. Keep up the amazing work!
🏆 Quynh Tran – Honored with the Outstanding Affinity Group Member Award
🎉 Proud Moments for IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering Group! 🎉
At the joint IEEE Region 4 and IEEE Region 6 meeting in San Francisco in January 25, our Hawaii WIE Chair – Quynh Tran received the OUTSTANDING AFFINITY GROUP MEMBER AWARD! 🎉🏆. This well-deserved recognition honors her continued leadership in promoting IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) within Hawaii and across the Region, as well as her dedication to empowering women in STEM.
Thank you, Quynh, for your incredible contributions! We look forward to seeing the continued impact of your leadership.
Congratulations to Brianne Tengan as the 2024 recipient of the IEEE-USA Jim Watson Student Professional Awareness Achievement Award!
Brianne Tengan, an Electrical Engineer at BAE Systems Inc., has been instrumental in revitalizing the IEEE Hawaii Section.
During the 2022-2023 period, the Hawaii Section struggled due to the pandemic, with inactive chapters and limited participation. Brianne facilitated identifying new enthusiastic chapter officers, restarting the Student Branch at UHM and working to establish the new Hawaii Pacific University Student Branch, established a social media presence to promote Section and Chapter activities, established programs and events to increase and retain Student and Young Professionals, and formed a new Chapter and Affinity Groups to broaden appeal to local community of engineers.
During 2024 elections, Brianne was elected Hawaii Section Chair and extended her influence to IEEE Region 6 as the Young Professionals Coordinator. She continues to positively impact students and young professionals.
For her outstanding contributions, Brianne Tengan has been recognized with the IEEE-USA Jim Watson Student Professional Awareness Achievement Award. Please join us in congratulating Brianne on this well-deserved honor! 👏✨
Monitoring and Control for Energy-Efficient Machines!
🌟 We are excited to announce the successful completion of the seminar on ‘Monitoring and Control for Energy-Efficient Machines!’ 🌟
A big thank you to Prof. Daisy Green for sharing her groundbreaking PhD and postdoc research, showcasing innovative methods for system maintenance and flexible energy management. Key highlights included advanced electrical monitoring techniques, machine learning approaches, and thermal control strategies for energy-efficient buildings, along with demand-side management for a more sustainable grid.
It was an inspiring session 🙌
Thanks IEEE Power & Energy Society in Hawaii and IEEE Hawaii Women In Engineering for hosting the event! Thank you to everyone who participated in this event!
Physiological radar for Biomedical monitoring and Smart building
🎉 We’re excited to announce that our seminar with the amazing Prof. Olga Boric-Lubecke was a great success! 🎉
Co-hosted by the IEEE Hawaii Women In Engineering (WIE), IEEE Power & Energy Society in Hawaii (PES), and with support from the IEEE University of Hawaii at Manoa (MTT) Chapter, Prof. Olga delivered an inspiring presentation on the cutting-edge advancements in Doppler radar physiological monitoring and its exciting applications.
Doppler radar technology can measure human physiological activity for a wide range of biomedical needs. Compact economical radar systems have been demonstrated as a non-invasive means of measuring vital signs through clothing and bedding, including heart and respiratory rates and signatures, activity, sleep posture, tidal respiratory volume, and pulse pressure. The value of such physiological monitoring extends beyond healthcare for applications including search and rescue, secure authentication, and smart buildings. This talk will provide an overview of state-of-the-art in Doppler radar physiological monitoring and related applications.💡📡
A huge thank you to Prof. Olga for sharing her innovative research, and to everyone who joined us in making this event so memorable! Your participation truly made the difference! 🙌
Women in Engineering panel discussion: Project Management and Career Advancement
🌟 Celebrating Women in Engineering Day with an Inspiring Panel Discussion! 🌟
Our virtual panel on Project Management and Career Advancement was a fantastic event, filled with inspiring insights and practical advice for women in engineering. The panel included Heather Monigan, MBA, Iris Takamatsu, and Mary Despe, and was moderated by Quynh Tran. Heather Monigan shared essential project management skills and highlighted their importance in engineering, regardless of one’s role. Iris Takamatsu emphasized the benefits of creating an inclusive workforce for business success. Mary Despe discussed navigating career growth and overcoming job search challenges. Each panelist also shared their personal experiences of overcoming obstacles in their career development and project management.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made this event a success. Your participation and support mean the world to us! We look forward to more events where we can connect, learn, and grow together. Hope to see you at our future gatherings!
Thanks a lot for supporting from Ad Astra Foundation, Inc. Ad Astra Foundation is a nonprofit which provides free, no cost mentorship and technical training to individuals or professional organizations.
Thanks IEEE WIE Phoenix and Hawaii affinity groups for organizing this events.
BEHAWAI’I
We are thrilled to announce the success of our recent workshop, where we presented the Lei Poina’ole Project, an initiative dedicated to the sustainable growth and longevity of Hawaii’s lei industry. 🌺
As a Hawaii nonprofit organization, BEHawaii is committed to empowering and elevating our community by raising awareness and providing support to create prosperity. The Lei Poina’ole Project is at the heart of this mission, fostering community partnerships, educational programs, and a robust network of growers, makers, and vendors.
Our speakers shared valuable insights into the significance of leis, their cultural heritage, and the ongoing efforts to support and develop the lei industry. The audience, seated around the speakers in traditional Hawaiian style, created an intimate and culturally immersive experience. We had a wonderful time learning more about the meaning of leis, their cultural importance, and how we can engage in supporting the development of the lei industry. Attendees enjoyed a hands-on lei-making session, where they could create their own leis while learning about the traditional techniques and materials used.
We extend our gratitude to Lawson’s Safety Institute for collaborating with us and helping make this event a success. We hope to continue fostering such valuable partnerships in the future.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event. We hope to see you at our future gatherings!
Safety Intelligence
Thank you everyone, who participated in our event on June 12, 2024 about Safety Intelligence. The event was cohosted by IEEE Hawaii Section, IEEE Hawaii Women In Engineering, IEEE Hawaii IAS chapter and Lawson & Associates, Inc.
Unlocking Safety Intelligence: IQ + EQ3 = SQ. Safety Intelligence is the process that can help leaders put in place a safety management system focused on business improvement as a whole. The discussion outlined some key factors to create a successful safety culture.
The discussion was led by Tracy Lawson, President & Founder of Lawson & Associates, Inc., and Co-Founder of the Safety Intelligence Institute. Tracy has over 30 years of experience in the occupational safety and health field and holds several board certifications. Tracy shared her extensive knowledge and expertise, emphasizing the importance of integrating Safety Intelligence (SQ) by combining IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ³ (Emotional Quotient) to enhance safety culture. The discussion covered critical elements for fostering a successful safety culture, including leadership commitment, employee engagement, continuous learning, and proactive risk management.
We extend our gratitude to Lawson’s Safety Institute for collaborating with us and helping make this event a success. Their partnership and support were instrumental in providing valuable insights and fostering a deeper understanding of Safety Intelligence.
Crafting engaging slides for seminars and conferences
IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering (WIE), in collaboration with IEEE WIE groups from Utah, Boise, and Phoenix sections, organized a seminar on April 27, 2024. By exploring the intricacies of cognitive processes, audience engagement strategies, and slide design principles, attendees gained valuable insights that will undoubtedly enhance their communication prowess. At this seminar, we explored the following key topics:
– Understanding How the Brain Processes and Retains Information: Gain insights into the encoding and decoding of the human brain and what the brain is attracted to.
– Tips to Capture and Maintain the Audiences’ Attention: Discover effective techniques to engage your audience from start to finish, ensuring that your messages last.
– Tips to Create Informative and Impactful Slides: Unlock the secrets to making your slides clear to see, easy to read, and concise to remember
Special thanks to the IEEE WIE groups from Hawaii, Utah, Boise, and Phoenix sections for their invaluable support and partnership.
IEEE Member Recognition
IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering (WIE) congratulations to Brianne Tengan, a WIE member, for her remarkable achievement in being awarded the Membership Development Award by the IEEE Region 6. In acknowledgment of her outstanding initiatives and leadership, the IEEE Hawaii Section commends Brianne Tengan for founding the Women in Engineering Affinity Group in 2023. This prestigious recognition underscores Brianne’s exceptional contributions towards fostering growth and enhancing engagement within the organization’s membership network. Her proactive leadership and dedication have significantly strengthened IEEE’s presence in Hawaii and beyond.
IEEE WIE and SWE co-hosted Panel Discussion: Challenges and Disparities in the Workplace
IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering (WIE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Hawaiian Islands co-hosted an inspiring panel discussion on “Challenges and Disparities in the Workplace” on February 24, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event brought together a diverse group of STEM professionals, each with a unique journey of industry experience.
The discussion was moderated by Mary Despe, a Career and Interview Coach, and a SWE member. She is passionate about helping others succeed professionally and in their authentic style. Despe has delivered workshops for the Society of Women Engineers, Project Management Institute, and Women Leadership & Empowerment Conference, and has contributed career and personal branding articles to LinkedIn, Refinery24, and FairyGodBoss.
The panelists included Dr. Ruthsenne Perron – R&D Senior Principal Engineer from Cadence Design Systems, Inc. in Silicon Valley, Dawn Szewczyk – Vice President at HDR with 25 years of experience in civil engineering design, public works operations, and program management in both private and public sectors, Lori Hashimoto – Senior Program Manager in Flight Operations Engineering at Hawaiian Airlines, Lynette Shiroma – a Lead Aviation engineer at Boeing, Lorraine Reyes – President of Human Resources at Trade Wind Group, and Pearl Yamaguchi – Senior Principal Field Clinical Engineer at Medtronic.
Each panelist shared their professional journey as a STEM woman and discussed how they overcame challenges to succeed in leadership positions, despite ongoing disparities faced in the workplace. They recounted their experiences transitioning from entry-level to professional positions and offered valuable tips and advice to the audience on negotiating salaries and boosting confidence in the workplace. Overall, the event provided a valuable platform for attendees to learn from the experiences of successful STEM professionals, gain insights into navigating workplace challenges, and fostered networking opportunities within the STEM community in Hawaii.
Skills Development Seminars “Negotiating Your Salary”
In a bid to foster professional growth and empower women in the engineering field, IEEE Hawaii Women in Engineering (WIE) recently hosted two impactful seminars.
On January 18, 2024, IEEE Hawaii WIE organized a seminar titled “Negotiating Your Salary.” Led by Kim Nishigaya, VP and Director of Talent Acquisition & HR Business Partners at Central Pacific Bank, the seminar delved into vital strategies for effectively negotiating salaries. Attendees engaged in discussions covering company expectations, communication tactics, challenges, and negotiation techniques. The session garnered praise for its practical insights, with attendees expressing gratitude for the valuable guidance received.
Seminar “How to Write an Effective Research Paper”
On February 2, 2024, IEEE Hawaii WIE facilitated a seminar titled “How to Write an Effective Research Paper” by Quynh Tran, a Power System Engineer from the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute. Quynh shared practical tips, strategies and invaluable resources gleaned from her own research experiences, aiming to equip attendees with the necessary skills to navigate the research writing process successfully.
Both seminars exemplify IEEE Hawaii WIE’s commitment to supporting women at all stages of their careers in the field of science and engineering through activities and the execution of projects, meetings and conferences,