Dedicated to inspiring and empowering women in engineering and technology, the 2024 IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Forum USA East took place in Stamford, Connecticut, from November 7 to 9. Nazneen Ahmed, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, attended the forum, playing a vital role in contributing to the forum’s mission and representing GW Engineering as secretary of GW’s IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES)-Industry Applications Society (IAS) Student Branch Chapter and member of the Smart Grid Laboratory.
As a platform for professional development, networking, and collaboration, the forum’s program allowed over 300 attendees to connect with leading organizations, gain insights from keynote speakers, and enhance their skills through workshops. It featured more than 20 prominent speakers from both industry and academia and included 19 interactive workshops, panels, and presentations. This year’s theme, "Own Your Power Skills," focused on helping participants ignite personal and professional growth, enhance essential skills, and elevate leadership trajectories.
Through her involvement, Ahmed contributed the following:
- Networking and Collaboration: Discussed with industry and academic leaders on topics like STEM outreach initiatives and career development.
- Representation: Actively promoted the activities and accomplishments of the GW IEEE PES/IAS Student Branch Chapter, enhancing its visibility within the broader IEEE WIE community.
- Fundraising: Contributed to fundraising efforts for the IEEE WIE Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to advancing women in engineering.
- Future Leadership: Offered to join the organizing committee for the 2025 IEEE WIE Forum USA East, held in Arlington, Virginia, under the theme "Innovate to Elevate."
Ahmed’s active participation underscores her dedication to STEM outreach and promoting diversity in engineering while reinforcing GW’s presence in the IEEE community. The insights gained will support the continued success of GW’s IEEE PES/IAS Student Branch Chapter and her efforts to inspire and lead the field.
“As an international female engineering student, attending this forum was incredibly rewarding to me. It gave me the opportunity to connect with women from all walks of life, each bringing their own unique stories and challenges. Sharing my own journey and hearing theirs reminded me how important diversity is in STEM. These conversations inspired me to make meaningful contributions in the forum to uplift female students’ participation in STEM,” Ahmed stated.