Opening Remarks:
Elizabeth Bierman, President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), welcomed attendees to the WE14 conference in Los Angeles, California. The conference is themed “A Global Exchange for Change, Galactic Heights.”

SpaceX:
Gwen Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, is the keynote speaker. SpaceX is the world’s fastest-growing provider of space launch services. The company has launched over 50 rockets into space, including commercial satellite launches and NASA missions.

Appreciation for Volunteers:
Bierman expressed gratitude to the FY15 Board of Directors, Conference Advisory Board, and Los Angeles Host Committee for their contributions to the conference. Volunteers from various locations have worked to make the conference a success.

ICWIS 16:
WE14 is hosting ICWIS 16, the annual conference of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES). INWES is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The theme of “A Global Exchange for Change” is prevalent throughout the conference.

Global Presence:
Over 42 countries are represented at WE14 and ICWIS 16. Attendees are encouraged to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Welcome from INWES President:
Dr. Kangjoo Lee, President of INWES, expressed her delight at the collaboration between SWE and INWES. She welcomed participants to the conference and highlighted the importance of global exchange and networking.

Keynote Speakers:
Kangjoo Lee, President of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) Elizabeth Bierman, President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Jay Eyinger, VP of Engineering at Eaton Aerospace

Key Points:
Equest 16 is the 16th triennial conference of INWES, a global network of women engineers and scientists. The conference celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Equest conference, which was held in New York City in 1964. The theme of Equest 16 is “Global Exchange for Change.” The conference aims to bring together women engineers and scientists from around the world to share their experiences, ideas, and cultures. The conference also aims to promote collaboration and networking among women in STEM fields. Eaton Corporation is a leading power management company that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the engineering field. Eaton Corporation is a proud sponsor of Equest 16.

Challenges Facing Women in Engineering:
Women are underrepresented in engineering fields at all levels. Only 18% of university female students pursue engineering degrees, and only 2% pursue mechanical engineering degrees. Only 11% of women who pursue engineering degrees stay in the field and pursue engineering careers.

Importance of Diversity in Engineering:
Diversity of thought and perspective is essential for innovation and problem-solving. Women engineers bring a unique perspective to the engineering field, which can lead to better solutions to complex problems. A diverse engineering workforce is better able to meet the needs of a diverse society.

Role of Organizations like SWE and Eaton Corporation:
Organizations like SWE and Eaton Corporation are working to advance the cause of women in engineering. These organizations provide opportunities for networking, mentorship, and career development for women engineers. They also work to raise awareness of the importance of diversity in engineering and to encourage more women to pursue engineering careers.

Eaton’s Commitment to Improving Power Management:
Eaton aims to improve power management globally, believing that better power management leads to a better world. Eaton’s efforts span various industries, including buildings, transportation, industrial equipment, and digital infrastructure.

Eaton’s Achievements:
Eaton has made buildings smarter, safer, and more energy-efficient. They have reduced the environmental impact and operating costs of various vehicles. Eaton has enhanced the power and productivity of industrial equipment while saving energy. They have enabled the smooth flow of digital information without draining power resources. Eaton has contributed to building more reliable and efficient infrastructure, boosting local economies.

Eaton’s Focus on Uncovering New Power Sources:
Eaton explores new sources of power, including capturing traditional energy more efficiently and transforming alternative energy into everyday energy.

Eaton’s Emphasis on Ethical and Sustainable Practices:
Eaton is committed to doing business ethically and responsibly everywhere they operate. They prioritize the ethical standards of their employees, environmental stewardship of their facilities, and local support to communities.

Jay Eyinger’s Introduction of Eaton’s Aerospace Division:
Jay Eyinger, the leader of Eaton’s Aerospace Division, emphasized the company’s strong engineering capabilities, with 10,000 engineers. He encouraged the audience to prepare challenging questions for the panel discussion.

Genentech’s Mission and Inspiration:
Genentech is passionate about helping individuals with hard-to-treat conditions. Their inspiration comes from the spirit of giving and the innovative science that brings solutions to patients worldwide.

Introduction of Adria Harris from Genentech:
Adria Harris, Senior HR Manager from Genentech, was introduced as the next speaker.

Mission and Approach:
Genentech focuses on developing medicines that address significant unmet needs and lack effective treatments. The company emphasizes innovation and risk-taking as essential elements for success in the pharmaceutical industry. Scientists at Genentech design and test novel molecules that have never been seen before, driven by an optimistic belief in finding the right molecule to treat diseases.

Creating New Medicines:
Genentech’s mission is to transform scientific ideas into new products that benefit patients. The company aims to improve patients’ lives and treat diseases by developing effective drugs and targeting specific diseases. Recent advancements have enabled greater benefits for patients through innovative medicines.

Genentech’s Culture:
Genentech is committed to making medicines through the contributions of thousands of talented and innovative individuals. The company encourages connections and networking among its employees to foster learning, growth, and reaching their full potential. Genentech’s success and recognition as a top workplace contribute to the development of employees’ careers.

Career Development and Advice:
Taking risks, being optimistic, and striving to make a difference are crucial for career development. Nurturing relationships and connections throughout one’s career is essential for personal and professional growth. Networking and building connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and help individuals reach their full potential.

Gwen Shotwell’s Background:
Gwen Shotwell is the President and COO of SpaceX, a company she joined in 2002 as the seventh employee. Prior to SpaceX, she worked at the Aerospace Corporation in various roles related to space systems engineering and technology, project management, and space policy.

Her Achievements:
Shotwell led a landmark study on commercial space transportation for the Federal Aviation Administration and conducted an extensive analysis of space policy for NASA. She is actively involved in STEM-related programs and has raised over $350,000 in scholarships as part of the Frank J. Redd Student Scholarship Competition. Shotwell received the 2011 World Technology Award for Individual Achievement in Space and was inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame in 2012. She serves as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Space Security and is an advisor for the Art and Technology Incubator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Inspiration to Become an Engineer:
Shotwell’s mother suggested she become an engineer, leading her to attend a Society of Women Engineers event at the Illinois Institute of Technology. A mechanical engineer on the panel impressed Shotwell with her suit and her role as a company owner, inspiring Shotwell to pursue a career in engineering at the age of 15.

Current Role at SpaceX:
Shotwell manages the operations of SpaceX, a $5 billion company employing over 3,000 people. The company is making headlines daily and recently won a significant contract. Shotwell views the ability to work on innovative and exciting projects, such as developing reusable rockets, as the most enjoyable aspect of her job.

The Best Part of Gwen Shotwell’s Job:
Shotwell expresses her enthusiasm for working with SpaceX’s exceptional engineers and technicians and witnessing their daily achievements.

Becoming the Seventh Employee at SpaceX:
Shotwell had a comfortable job but was frustrated with the industry’s lack of innovation and slow pace. She decided to join SpaceX as a last resort, willing to leave the industry if it didn’t work out.

Her First College Engineering Course:
Shotwell’s seminal course was three-dimensional rotational rigid body dynamics, which she initially struggled with but eventually mastered.

Reasons Women Leave Engineering:
Shotwell speculates that women may leave engineering because they have unrealistic expectations and are unaware of the day-to-day realities of the field.

Finding the Right Place in Engineering:
Shotwell found her niche as a thermal analyst in the satellite thermal department at Aerospace Corporation.

Work-Life Balance at SpaceX:
Shotwell acknowledges SpaceX’s lack of a strong work-life balance and suggests that it is an area for improvement. She emphasizes that balance to her means sustainability, not necessarily a 50-50 split.

Challenges of Rapid Growth at SpaceX:
Shotwell recognizes that maintaining focus and innovation during rapid growth is difficult. She highlights the importance of effective communication to keep employees connected to the vision and feeling valued.

Qualities Sought in Leaders at SpaceX:
Shotwell emphasizes the need for leaders to be good listeners, communicators, and able to clearly articulate the company’s direction.

Communication Training at SpaceX:
Shotwell acknowledges the importance of communication training for leaders and recognizes it as an area for improvement.

Mentorship at SpaceX:
SpaceX does not have a formal mentorship program, but Shotwell maintains an open-door policy and encourages employees to approach her with questions or concerns.

Open Communication with Senior Leadership:
Gwen Shotwell emphasizes the importance of direct communication between employees and senior leadership. She believes explaining why specific directions or changes are necessary helps employees understand and accept them more readily. She encourages employees to approach her with questions or concerns.

Mentorship and Feedback:
Shotwell believes mentorship is crucial and involves providing access, explaining decisions, and offering continuous feedback. She emphasizes the importance of pointing out mistakes constructively and continuously improving. She encourages employees to approach her with any questions or concerns.

Collaboration and Communication:
Shotwell believes women communicate differently than men, emphasizing collaboration and teamwork. She highlights the importance of communicating strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement to foster a better team environment.

Self-Assessment and Continuous Improvement:
Shotwell advises against complacency and encourages daily self-assessment for improvement. She believes in striving for excellence every day rather than settling for mediocrity.

SpaceX’s Vision and Future:
SpaceX aims to build space transportation systems that enable travel to other planets, particularly Mars. Key technological advancements are underway to achieve this vision. Shotwell expresses excitement about the company’s future and its potential to revolutionize space exploration.

Reusability:
SpaceX emphasizes the importance of reusability in rocket technology to reduce costs and enable ambitious space missions, such as Mars exploration. The company has demonstrated successful landings of rocket stages, including precision landings on land and in the ocean. Reusability is crucial for long-term space exploration, as it eliminates the need for one-way trips and allows for more efficient and affordable missions.

Human Spaceflight:
SpaceX is partnering with NASA to develop a new generation of spacecraft, including the Dragon capsule, to transport astronauts to the International Space Station and beyond. The company aims to resume human spaceflight from US soil in late 2016 or early 2017, ending the reliance on Russian spacecraft for astronaut transportation.

Company Culture:
SpaceX values fun and encourages employees to enjoy their work. The company has a history of hosting memorable parties and social events. SpaceX is committed to expanding its facilities and creating a more enjoyable work environment for its growing team.

Employee Growth:
SpaceX has experienced rapid growth and expects to continue hiring new employees to support its ambitious projects. The company’s expansion will require additional facilities and resources to accommodate its growing workforce.

Engineering and Innovation:
SpaceX recognizes the vital role of engineers in building and creating innovative technologies. The company’s location in Southern California is strategic, as the region offers a large talent pool with expertise in the aerospace industry.

Global Presence:
SpaceX’s choice to be based in Southern California is influenced by the availability of a skilled workforce in the aerospace industry, which is concentrated in the region.

Founding SpaceX:
SpaceX was founded with experts in the industry and technology. Growth areas included production and expertise in the aerospace industry.

Desired Engineering Graduates:
Hands-on experience is highly valued. Participation in projects like solar car projects, robotics competitions, and design-build-fly activities is encouraged.

Bouncing Back from Challenges:
Gwen Shotwell faced financial difficulties and payroll concerns during SpaceX’s early years. Overcoming challenges made the company stronger and improved individual performance.

Fostering Innovation:
Innovation is essential for SpaceX’s success and improving products. Bureaucracy and trust issues can hinder innovation as the company grows. Performance reviews assess employees’ ability to innovate.

Advice for Collegiates:
Participate in co-op programs, internships, and design-build-fly competitions. Seek projects that involve hands-on engineering. Foundational knowledge from classes is important, but experience is crucial.

Gwen Shotwell’s Advice for Balancing Career and Family:
Balancing a career and raising children is a significant challenge, especially for women. Gwen Shotwell managed her career and young children by planning trips during her ex-husband’s parenting weeks. She emphasizes the importance of sticking with a career and finding creative ways to manage family responsibilities. She recommends finding objective and loving childcare options that allow children to feel loved and respected. Shotwell encourages women to be creative and find supportive people who can help them navigate the challenges.

Gwen Shotwell’s Inspiration and Leadership Style:
Shotwell draws inspiration from history, particularly the expansion of Western Europe into the Americas. She is motivated to be part of the team that expands beyond Earth’s boundaries and explores other galaxies. She finds inspiration in shows like Battlestar Galactica and Firefly, which depict space exploration and colonization. Elon Musk is a hands-on boss who motivates employees through his dedication and commitment to excellence. Shotwell admires Musk’s innovative spirit and his ability to take on different industries, such as aerospace, banking, automotive, and energy.

Developing Creative and Innovative Work Habits in Engineering:
Striking a balance between learning fundamentals and fostering innovation is a challenge in engineering education. Shotwell emphasizes the importance of getting hands-on experience on real projects to develop creativity and innovation. She suggests that classes should focus on teaching both fundamentals and innovative thinking.

Innovation at SpaceX:
Innovation at SpaceX involves leveraging ideas from other industries, implementing new production methodologies, and exploring non-traditional approaches to problem-solving. Examples include finding cost-effective alternatives for payload air conditioning systems by drawing inspiration from residential and industrial air conditioning solutions.

Balancing Development and Production Mindsets:
SpaceX maintains two distinct mindsets: speed and innovation on the development side, and precision and consistency on the production side. The development team is encouraged to eliminate obstacles and move quickly, while the production team focuses on reliable and standardized processes.

Engaging Employees Through Shared Goals:
Employees at SpaceX are highly engaged due to their clear understanding of the company’s mission and goals. Elon Musk’s transparent communication reinforces this sense of purpose, inspiring employees to strive for ambitious objectives like colonizing Mars.

Motivation and Climbing the Corporate Ladder:
Gwen Shotwell’s inspiration to pursue leadership roles stems from a desire to make a broader impact and have a greater influence on the direction of the company. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks and stepping out of one’s comfort zone to achieve career growth.

Career Path:
Gwen Shotwell never had a definite career plan but sought new opportunities and challenges. Working as an engineer at Chrysler Motors, she aimed to be a great engineer rather than pursue a specific leadership position.

Lateral Moves and Career Progression:
Shotwell emphasizes the importance of lateral moves in a career to gain deeper insight into parallel areas. Leaders should have intimate knowledge of the area they manage, but not necessarily be the expert. By understanding propulsion, structures, and avionics, one can transition from thermal analysis to rocket team management.

Problem-Solving Approach:
Shotwell uses her engineering roots to solve problems, breaking them down into smaller manageable components. This approach allows her to tackle overwhelming situations and find solutions.

Vacations and Balance:
SpaceX encourages employees to take at least a week of vacation annually. While unused vacation days can be cashed out, the company requires employees to take some time off for rest and rejuvenation.

Balancing Career and Family:
Despite a demanding job at SpaceX, Gwen Shotwell makes time for her family. She leaves the office at 6 pm on weeks she has her children to cook dinner and spend time with them. She values flexibility in the workplace and believes it is crucial for mothers who want to continue their careers. Shotwell encourages women to seek out companies that offer flexible work arrangements.

Career Choices and Encouraging Children’s Interests:
Shotwell’s daughter initially wanted to be a lawyer but later decided to pursue engineering after interning at SpaceX. Her son is also pursuing an engineering career, possibly in architectural engineering. Shotwell believes in exposing children to different fields and encouraging their interests, even if they are unconventional.

Greatest Career Risk and Satisfaction:
Shotwell considers joining SpaceX the biggest career risk she has taken. At the time, startup rocket companies had no history of success, and Elon Musk had no experience in the industry. Despite the uncertainty, Shotwell views it as the greatest decision of her life. She has held her current role as President of SpaceX since 2008, the longest she has stayed in a single position.

Sacrifices and Gender Equality at SpaceX:
Shotwell does not believe she has sacrificed anything in her career due to parenthood. She emphasizes that she is not a regretter and would not have made different major decisions. SpaceX focuses on hiring and promoting excellence, regardless of sex, religion, or color. However, the company is working on improving its gender diversity and recognizes the importance of increasing the number of women in the organization.

Diversity of Thought and Women’s Contributions:
Shotwell believes diversity of thought is crucial for innovation and meeting SpaceX’s ambitious goals. She emphasizes the importance of women in problem-solving and collaborative team efforts. She encourages women to join SpaceX to contribute to the company’s mission of going to Mars.

Career Path and Future Goals:
Shotwell did not have a clear career path but embraced opportunities as they came. She finds it challenging to answer the question of where she sees herself in five years. Shotwell remains focused on SpaceX’s mission and continuing to contribute to the company’s success.

Gwen Shotwell’s Thoughts on the Education System:
Gwen Shotwell is critical of the current education system in the United States. She believes it is poorly structured and results in dismal academic performance, especially in science and math. She desires to address this issue and promote engineering education.

Gwen Shotwell’s Journey in Engineering:
Shotwell’s interest in engineering began at a young age. She was determined to pursue engineering despite challenges and never considered leaving the field. A pivotal moment in her engineering education was when she took a rigid body dynamics class, which solidified her passion for the field.

Overcoming Challenges and Following Passion:
Elizabeth Bierman, another guest speaker, also faced challenges in pursuing aerospace engineering. However, she persevered due to her unwavering determination and refusal to accept failure.

Promoting Innovation and Diversity at SpaceX:
Shotwell emphasizes the need to promote innovation and continuous improvement at SpaceX. She believes maintaining a balance between bureaucracy and innovative philosophies is crucial for the company’s success.

Gwen Shotwell’s Inspiration:
Shotwell’s mother played a significant role in encouraging her to pursue engineering. Despite her mother’s background in art, she recognized Shotwell’s aptitude for engineering and encouraged her to pursue it.

Creative Differences:
Shotwell acknowledges that she lacks creative talent unlike her sister, who is a photographer and producer. She recognizes the value of creativity and encourages others to explore Pinterest for creative ideas.

Fashion Choices:
Shotwell discusses her fashion preferences, particularly her liking for Theory’s women’s suiting separates. She also mentions online shopping for convenience and the potential impact of technology on brick-and-mortar stores.

Supplier Selection at SpaceX:
SpaceX is a vertically integrated company that builds most of its components. Shotwell explains that they trial and error suppliers and demand high standards in terms of speed, quality, and cost.

Balancing Engineering and Administrative Responsibilities:
Shotwell expresses her desire to engage more in engineering projects. She manages the day-to-day operations of SpaceX while Elon Musk focuses on innovation and development.

Parking and Potties:
SpaceX’s rapid growth has led to a shortage of parking and restroom facilities. The company is constructing a new parking structure and converting conference rooms into restrooms to accommodate the influx of employees.

Job Opportunities:
SpaceX has a booth at the conference where interested individuals can submit their resumes. If unable to locate the booth, job seekers can email Gwynn at SpaceX.com.

How to Ask a Question:
Raise your hand and wait for a microphone to be brought to you. Be loud and clear when asking your question.

Gwen Shotwell on Leadership:
Leadership is defined as bringing along a team of people who do great things.

Advice for College Students:
Focus on developing a strong technical foundation in your chosen field. Gain experience through internships and extracurricular activities. Network with professionals in your field of interest. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job application. Be prepared to answer behavioral interview questions.

Advice for Women in Engineering:
Pursue rigorous engineering education: Excel in engineering classes, participate in engineering activities like labs, design, build, and fly competitions, and drive teams to excellence. Develop strong communication skills: Be able to communicate effectively in small groups, one-on-one, and large groups. Embrace a sales mindset: View every day as a sales opportunity, not just in terms of closing deals, but also in promoting ideas, solutions, and methods. Be persuasive: Convince others that your ideas, methods, and solutions are the best and most effective.

Advice for Women in Middle Management Aiming for Leadership Roles:
Seek opportunities to lead: Take on leadership roles within your organization, such as project lead or team lead, to gain experience and demonstrate your capabilities. Develop strategic thinking: Think strategically about the organization’s goals and objectives, and align your actions and decisions with these goals. Build relationships and networks: Establish strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and industry leaders to expand your network and gain support for your career goals. Be visible and vocal: Participate in conferences, industry events, and networking opportunities to increase your visibility and share your expertise. Be confident and assertive: Be confident in your abilities and assertively advocate for your ideas and proposals.

Becoming Indispensable:
Solving problems is key to becoming indispensable at work. Going beyond one’s job scope and solving cross-functional problems is particularly valuable. Multidisciplinary issues in tech firms are challenging but rewarding to solve.

Receiving Feedback Gracefully:
It is important to develop the skill of receiving feedback gracefully. When receiving feedback, avoid arguing or interrupting the person providing it. Ask questions to understand the feedback better if needed. Avoid arguing or defending oneself against the feedback.

An Example of Poor Feedback Reception:
Gwen Shotwell shared an experience where an employee argued with her feedback, leading to an unproductive outcome. Arguing with feedback can hinder personal and professional growth.

Conclusion:
The program concluded with thanks to the sponsors and a reminder of the career fair and music event later that day.