Why Engineering? I was very lucky -- both my parents have STEM backgrounds (mom was a nurse, dad a chemical engineer) and three amazing old sisters who also all pursued STEM degrees. My parents were always very positive about encouraging the things that they saw I had an interest in -- whether that was soccer (loved it even if I didn't have the natural talent) or wondering why things worked the way that they did. They put me in charge of putting together the new vacuum cleaner and answered questions around the dinner table about things like DNA and conservation of energy. My whole childhood they saw that I loved doing hands on activities and they told me that I would make a great mechanical engineer. And when I discovered Material Science in high school I knew that material science and engineering was where my passion fit.
Proud Moments I'm a founding member and current co-chair of my company's Women of STEM and Friends community. I love the opportunity to bring the STEM community around me closer together.