The annual Women’s Leadership Program offers hands-on mentoring for the next generation of engineers.

 

What is the most recent skill you have added to your toolbox?

As I was sharing recent accomplishments with one of my mentors, she suggested I think of my new skills as new tools in my toolbox. That conversation gave me a different perspective to reflect on the skills I have collected so far and encouraged me to strategically plan the next steps in my career.

I started gravitating toward the idea of this imaginary toolbox and collected skills, which adhered to my core values of creating a sustainable and purpose-driven career. While planning the theme for the 2022 Women’s Leadership Program (WLP), which takes place Nov. 1 at SMTA International, I discussed this idea with the organizing committee, and it was very well-received. We brainstormed on how to bring this idea to reality and enable women colleagues to advance their careers. Taking the time to reflect on the skills in your toolbox makes you self-aware and cognizant of your self-worth. Knowing what you bring to the table helps you build the confidence you need to navigate your career. Hence the concept of a toolbox seemed appropriate for the WLP, as the goal of this session is to empower women to explore technology innovations and career progression in the electronics industry. Now are you ready to think about the skills in your toolbox that could help your career advancement?

Priyanka Dobriyal, Ph.D.

This year’s WLP will start with three presentations from women leaders in the electronics industry. These women have each charted a unique career journey that made them invaluable in the organizations they lead. Since our 2022 WLP session theme focuses on the career “toolbox” of technical, leadership and power skills, with the analogy of the “tools” for success to resources, personal / professional traits, as well as actual tools, we asked our speakers to share their experiences and learnings in the interview below.

The presentations will be followed by a speed mentoring session where attendees rotate through a selection of six tables hosted by the invited speakers and SMTA leaders on topics related to leadership skills, power skills, continuous learning, career development, encouraging innovation, etc.

We will wrap up the program with our annual Connection Reception. Earlier this year, the industry lost an inspirational leader with the passing of Irene Sterian of Celestica/REMAP. Irene made many contributions to the industry, SMTA and the WLP. She was a spark who encouraged numerous women to advance their careers in our industry. We will informally celebrate Irene’s passion for engaging with her colleagues during the Connection Reception. We look forward to connecting with you all and discussing the skills in your toolbox.

Tanya Martin

Jessica Molloy

Debbie Carboni

Julie Silk

Michelle Ogihara

Sherry Stepp

Marie Cole

Elizabeth Benedetto

Karlie Severinson

 

Table 1. Speed Mentoring Topics

 

 

Leaning into Lifelong Learning – Carolyn R. Duran, Ph.D., Intel

Abstract: As a society, we are in a state of rapid change in how we innovate, develop and deliver new technologies and products to the world. Only those who embrace lifelong learning, adapting, growing and learning will truly thrive. Duran will share some key tools she has developed to explore and succeed in dramatically different roles within her company. With each new role there is opportunity: what you bring to the table to help the new organization’s success, what you learn in your new role about the business, and what you learn about yourself. Through her own career journey Duran will demonstrate the value of this learning as she returned to where she started, technology development, after gaining valuable lessons in supply chain management and product development.

Carolyn R. Duran, Ph.D.

Carolyn R. Duran, Ph.D., is vice president and engineering manager, Components Research at Intel. In this role, Duran leads advanced process and materials research to invent, develop and demonstrate viable revolutionary technologies necessary for Intel’s continued leadership in the industry. She also leads her organization’s strategy for external engagements including academia, consortia, and supply chain.

Duran joined Intel in 1998 as a process engineer in research and development, moving to supply chain management in 2007. In this role she oversaw Intel’s supply chain sustainability efforts spanning chemical regulations and policy, human rights and labor, and the company’s responsible minerals sourcing program. She moved to the Data Platforms Group in 2017 to lead a corporate charter in Memory and IO technologies responsible for the pathfinding, development, implementation and broad industry enablement in these areas. In 2022, she returned to her technology development roots to lead the Process Engineering team within Components Research.

Duran is currently serving as president of the Materials Research Society and sits on the Materials Science and Engineering academic advisory board for Northwestern University, where she is also an adjunct professor. She has held chair positions for both the Responsible Business Alliance board of directors and the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (now the Responsible Minerals Initiative). A recognized industry leader, Duran was named on Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business 1000” list in 2016 and ranked no. 2 on Business Insider’s “Most Powerful Women Engineers in the World” list in 2014.

Duran received a bachelor’s in materials science and engineering from Carnegie Mellon and a Ph.D. in the same field from Northwestern University. She holds five patents in semiconductor process engineering.

 

Changing the Perception of Manufacturing – Loretta Renard, CEO, REMAP

Abstract: As manufacturing becomes more advanced and digitized, perceptions about careers in manufacturing are changing – creating a more positive perception of the sector and incenting more women to pursue careers in manufacturing. This is further supported by workforce multiplier jobs, currently estimated to be 16 jobs created for every single high-tech manufacturing job. These multiplier jobs support and drive manufacturing but are not on the manufacturing floor, such as automation technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and a host of supporting professions from supply-chain management through logistics, finance, marketing and beyond. Today, there is much sophistication and excitement around manufacturing, and this is quickly changing the demographics of the workforce.

Loretta Renard, CEO

The winners in this evolving industry will possess varying combinations of technical, leadership and power skills. Renard will discuss the growing role of women in the advanced manufacturing sector and how she has leveraged her communications, interpersonal and leadership toolkit to grow her unique and unexpected career in the manufacturing sector.

Loretta Renard is CEO of Canadian innovation accelerator REMAP. A member of the all-women leadership team since 2014, Renard has been instrumental in developing and deploying REMAP’s mission to fund transformation, drive collaboration across industry and academia, and enable Canadian companies to navigate the digital economy. Renard is an experienced executive with 25-plus years of operations, strategy, corporate governance, communications and change management leadership for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining REMAP, Renard provided corporate communications for a global electronics manufacturer serving the healthcare and technology sectors. Renard is a lifelong volunteer and has supported a number of important causes including on-the-ground earthquake relief initiatives in Haiti.

Of Leaders and Ladders …  – Jayshree Seth, Ph.D., 3M

Abstract: A perspective on lessons learned from a career in innovation. Seth believes that regardless of the educational path we follow and the career we end up in, real growth, true leadership and self-actualization come from tough transitions, deep reflections and meaningful actions. At the end of the day, it is what is inside all of us – it just takes effort to notice, read and realize that fine print. Jayshree will provide points to ponder based on her own experiences, against the backdrop of her personal and professional background and journey.

Jayshree Seth, Ph.D.

Jayshree Seth is a corporate scientist at 3M and leads applied technology development for the Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division. She joined 3M in 1993 after receiving master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, and currently holds 75 patents for a variety of innovations, with several additional pending. Seth is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mater REC Trichy India (now NIIT Trichy), where she earned a bachelor’s in chemical engineering.

Seth was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science and communicate the benefits of science and the importance of diversity in STEM fields. She is also a member of Carlton Society, the 3M Science and Engineering Hall of Fame, as the fourth woman and first female engineer to be inducted. In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award. She is also the first-ever winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the new Female Thought Leaders of the Year – category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2021. Seth was featured in a docuseries titled Not the Science Type that premiered during the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and was accepted for Brand Storytelling Showcase, a sanctioned event at Sundance Film Festival. She is the author of The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints, and The Heart of Science – Engineering Fine Print, published by the Society of Women Engineers, for which all sales proceeds go to a scholarship for underrepresented minority women in STEM. She is a sought-after speaker, globally, on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership and STEM advocacy and has featured in local, national and international media.

Seth has served on the CEOs Inclusion Council, chaired the 3M Asian Employee Resource Group A3CTION and serves on its Advisory Board, as well as the Steering Committee for 3M Technical Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF). She also serves on the Board of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Engineering Advisory Council for Clarkson, AAAS Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPP) and the Advisory Group of Aspen Institute Our Future is Science program.

‘Develop Your Sight and Gain Insight’

An interview with the three invited speakers of the 2022 WLP.

What is your favorite/valuable tool?

Carolyn Duran: Fundamentally, I believe that my thinking style has been the most valuable to me. Many years ago, a mentor helped me recognize this. He stated there are “convergent” thinkers – those that could really focus and drive execution, and “divergent” thinkers – those that would come up with radical out-of-the box ideas. Corporations need both, but they also need a few who can do both, and, most important, know which type of thinking is needed when. This is the tool in my toolbox that has served me well, and the one I continue to focus on and develop more.

Loretta Renard: Communications, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Jayshree Seth: That is a great question, and having spent almost three decades in my professional career I believe the tools that allow you to develop your sight and gain insight are the most valuable. I pick my favorite depending upon what task is in scope.
The telescope: Look far ahead…. Ask yourself where you are going and see what the big picture, the vision, is for the team.
The microscope: Look deep down…. Think about what you are doing, delving deeply to see the detailed view, the critical functioning, and the execution in the short term.
The periscope: Look out! Look over, back and around.... See what is not in direct line of sight. Anticipate change and proactively identify opportunities.
The stethoscope: Look within…. See what cannot be seen but only felt. Listen to the heart, your own and others, to be able to inform and inspire.
The horoscope: Look above…. See and acknowledge what you can’t control. Be grateful for the role of luck and chance. Humility makes for authentic leaders.

What tool do you wish you had when you started your career?

CD: I wish had better knowledge of “influencing” when I started. I naively thought that if you have a good idea, it will be heard. Sometimes even when you have that great idea, you need to work to be heard, and I didn’t know how to do that very well.

LR: If I could have imagined that I would find myself passionate about the advanced manufacturing sector, I would definitely benefit from education in STEM to expand to engineering abilities and technical experience.

JS: When I started out, I hadn’t quite realized what a powerful tool metaphorical thinking is, especially to visualize leadership concepts. For instance, microscopes and telescopes can be good metaphors for short-term and long-term views, respectively. Both of these scopes can provide a view that is not visible to the naked eye. Great leaders possess the ability to view both, and they have a keen understanding of when to use which one. Leaders also realize that the detailed microscopic view of the short term has to be consistent to realize the telescope’s vision. Now I use metaphors as a powerful tool all the time! I find them brilliant in their ability to take an abstract thought and transform it into a very physical, easily understandable, and often universal concept. They can make a simple fact compelling as they add depth, character, and visual imagery.

What tool is usually difficult to master for women?
CD: I would say boldness. I think gender stereotypes give a large leeway for men to be “strong,” “bold,” “courageous.” For women, we walk a tightrope between “you are too soft” and “you are pushy/arrogant.” But we have to be bold.

LR: Women hold far fewer leadership positions, and many are stuck in the middle in their careers. Women need to learn to step forward to advocate for themselves and ask to lead big jobs and projects.

JS: With the rate of disruption in virtually every industry, the periscope view becomes an important metaphor and requires significant effort to master. A periscope is designed to look over and around obstacles that may be obstructing one’s view. It’s important to continually look outside our immediate surroundings to identify major trends and threats in the market, specifically how they will impact the products, platforms, and business models. A keen view through a periscope is critical for leaders because it can call for an adjustment of the telescopic and microscopic views to which we’re accustomed. But using the periscope also means what you see or perceive needs to be communicated. I think sometimes it’s a struggle for women to assert their point of view in largely male-dominated fields.

If you were a tool, which tool would you be? Why?

CD: Intellectual curiosity. That is what I am.

LR: My most significant leadership skill is communication – specifically, translating complex technology concepts into user-friendly and accessible knowledge transfer.

JS: Good leaders strive to use all the above views to enjoy the kaleidoscope of true leadership. With a stethoscope, good leaders need to listen to their heart and intuition to engage their teams in ways that might not be tangible. This is very important, especially since research indicates disengaged employees lead to lost productivity. Much has been written about leading with heart, and inspiring constituencies by capturing their hearts. Additionally, I have really learned to value the horoscope, as it feels more authentic to appreciate the role of luck along the journey. My mantra: Remember, it’s not just you, it’s your kismet and karma that come along on the journey too. Pay it forward.

I write a lot about these topics in my books, The Heart of Science: Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, and Imprints, published in 2020, and Engineering Fine Print, published in 2021. All proceeds go to a scholarship for underrepresented minority women in STEM, administered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). •

Priyanka Dobriyal, Ph.D., is technical assistant/chief of staff, Memory IO Division at Intel (intel.com) and Program Track Director of the Women’s Leadership Program for SMTAI.

 

SMTAI 2022 Women’s Leadership Program Details

Free for everyone and all are welcome!

We extend an invitation to everyone to attend the Women's Leadership Program to promote women in engineering fields. Show your support for diversity in engineering fields by attending this session.

Invited Presentations on Technology Innovations and Career Advancement

Co-chairs: Tanya Martin, Jessica Molloy

    1 – 1:45 p.m.    Carolyn R. Duran, Ph.D., Intel

    1:45 – 2:30 p.m.    Loretta Renard, CEO, REMAP

    2:30 – 3:15 p.m.    Jayshree Seth, Ph.D., 3M

    3:15 – 3:30 p.m.    Refreshment Break

    3:30 – 4:30 p.m.    Speed Mentoring Sessions - Co-chairs: Debbie Carboni and Julie Silk

    4:30 – 6 p.m.    Social - Co-chairs: Michelle Ogihara, Sherry Stepp

We welcome you to stay and join us for the annual Connection Reception.

PCB West: The leading technical conference and exhibition for electronics engineers. Coming Oct. 4-7 to the Santa Clara (CA) Convention Center. pcbwest.com

 

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