ADVANCING WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
Supporting Women who Pursue a Career in Power Electronics
PELS strives to embrace its members and their careers while respecting everyone’s needs and values with honesty and transparency. To support its commitment to fostering involvement throughout its organization and programming, the PELS Women in Engineering (WIE) group was formed.
PELS WIE is dedicated to developing events that support and welcome the entire community while recruiting and retaining women in technical disciplines globally. The group envisions a vibrant community within IEEE that collectively uses its talents to innovate for the benefit of humanity. It is also part of the global IEEE WIE network with over 22,000 IEEE members and volunteers who promote women engineers and scientists and inspire girls to follow their academic interests.
PELS WIE Activities
Initiatives and Resources
Resources Created By PELS WIE
Power at the Table Series
- Advocate for Energy and Data Equity: Curtis Wynn (CEO of SECO Energy) has helped thousands of homes in rural communities to have affordable energy for decades and now affordable access to the internet. He explains how to identify your career goals (including the scary lofty ones), how to sell a crazy idea to your company to obtain funding, and how to effectively respond when you hear "no" to your ideas and career aspirations.
- An Entrepreneur's Career Path to Clean Energy: Kunal Girotra (Lunar Energy) shares insight from his entrepreneurial journey from process engineer, Head of Tesla Energy to founding clean energy start-up Lunar Energy and explains what skills, experience, and mindset are needed to start a company.
- Driving Leadership and Innovation in Engineering: Maria Cortez (Senior Vice President at Advanced Energy Industries Inc.) shares her journey of leading transformative growth and innovation in engineering and technology and explains how she has leveraged strategic foresight, resilient leadership, and technical expertise to drive high-impact changes.
- Engineering Leadership in the Electric Vehicle Industry: Dr. Silva Hiti (Vice President of Electric Power Conversion at Rivian) shares her journey from growing up in former Yugoslavia to contributing to the pioneering GM EV1 program, shaping technologies in multiple startups, and now leading vertically integrated power electronics and motor development. She reflects on navigating ambiguity, making fast strategic decisions, and building high-performing teams and speaks candidly about identity, mentorship, and the realities of being a woman in engineering.
- From Bachelors to Fellow to Board of Directors: Duy-Loan He (Texas Instruments)
Elevated Engineer Series
- Critical Communication Skills: This event focuses on communication skills: a critical tool to help engineers speak, respond, and present effectively.
- Emotional Intelligence: This event focuses on emotional intelligence - a critical skill to help build relationships, resolve conflicts, and succeed during stressful situations.
- The AI Revolution at Work: How Robots are Changing Jobs and Managers: This event focuses on what employees and managers can do now to thrive in an AI-driven workplace.
IEEE Power Electronics Magazine Articles
- "Getting Involved With IEEE Power Electronics Society: Successful APEC Event for WIE, YP, and You!"
- "Learning Across IEEE: Perspectives From the 2021 IEEE WIE International Leadership Conference"
- "The Power of Uniqueness: A Fireside Chat With Duy-Loan Le"
- "The Roaring 20s: A Decade Helping Reshape the Face of IEEE PELS"
PELS WIE Event Archives
Other initiatives
Event Support
PELS offers support for WIE activities at conferences. Each proposal is considered by PELS WIE and will receive a response within seven business days. In exchange for funding, the requester must commit to providing the following items:
- An explanation of how the event supports PELS's initiatives and future plans
- Photo(s) of the event
- Promotional content prior to the event for PELS to advertise
- Write-up of the event that covers key highlights
Need Help?
If you have an upcoming event and could use funding support, reach out today.