Spring Summit Agenda
2025 Agenda
Atrium
Registration | Breakfast | Networking
Join event attendees before the event kicks off with opening comments. We’ll provide a light breakfast to get the day started. This open networking has no agenda, so feel free to share what brings you to this event or what you are excited about learning. Connect with new faces or reconnect with your conference pals. This is also a time to meet the exhibitors. Grab beverage or bagel of choice and Wake Up with SWE.
Room 101
Opening Comments | Networking Activity
It’s time to Wake Up with SWE. RMS and CSU SWE will provide a welcome to attendees. A guided networking activity will give you the opportunity to connect with and learn about attendees.
Room 101
Cultivating Authentic Confidence | Dale Wilsher
Dale Wilsher, PCC, CPLCC, CCSP, will present the morning Keynote Cultivating Authentic Confidence. In male-dominated fields, women often encounter unique challenges that test their confidence and leadership potential. This engaging and interactive session equips participants—both emerging and experienced professionals—with the tools to cultivate authentic confidence by leveraging their strengths, aligning with their values, and projecting a powerful presence. Attendees will explore key mindset shifts, learn to navigate self-doubt, and develop practical strategies to communicate with authority and lead with impact, whether in the classroom, workplace, or beyond.
Room 231
This session explores the dynamics within growth-oriented relationships and their significance in personal and professional development. It examines three key relationship types: coaches, mentors, and advocates. Coaches emphasizes equal power dynamics, empowering individuals to find their own solutions, while mentorship involves an experienced guide sharing insights with a learner. Advocacy focuses on creating opportunities, with an emphasis on accountability and strategic alignment. Participants will learn how to cultivate a “Personal Board of Directors” a diverse group of mentors spanning various life domains, including professional, health, and personal passions, etc. The session also contrasts in-person mentorship with virtual influences, highlighting the value of real-life connections alongside insights from online authors, podcasters, and thought leaders. By mapping existing relationships and exploring strategies for engaging mentors, attendees will gain actionable tools to build meaningful connections that foster growth and align with their goals.
Objectives
- Map the growth-oriented relationships in their life and determine if that relationship is of a coach, a mentor, or advocate.
- Build out their personal board of directors and understand where gaps may exist in different areas of life.
- Identify how to use real life mentors that are supplemented by expert (online) content creators.
About the Speaker
Shannon is currently the Director of Technical Services for ReNu Technologies and is responsible for the team of technical engineers that provide technical evaluations, KPI reporting, data analysis/reconciliation, and economic value. Shannon is a regular speaker at industry conferences as well as internal development meetings and has spoken to audiences ranging from 20 – 1,300 people. Shannon’s spent 10 years working downstream oil and gas industry and has a bachelor’s degree in chemical and biochemical engineering from Colorado School of Mines.
Room 101
Despite their expertise, many women in tech grapple with self-doubt, questioning whether they are “technical enough” to belong. This session explores the root causes of this doubt, from societal expectations to workplace dynamics, and provides actionable strategies to build confidence, own technical expertise, and challenge imposter syndrome. Whether you’re an engineer, leader, or aspiring technologist, join us to reframe the narrative and step into your power with certainty.
Objectives
- Understand the roots of self-doubt in women in tech and recognize imposter syndrome and its impact.
- Redefine technical expertise beyond narrow stereotypes and foster inclusivity by advocating for yourself and others.
- Build confidence through practical strategies.
About the Speaker
Beth Kent proudly calls herself Founder and Chief Enginerd of Cascade Change Consultants, specializing in process optimization for regulated industries like Aerospace & Defense and Medical Devices. With experience at Lockheed Martin and Medtronic, she has worked on everything from satellite systems to neurosurgical navigation. A passionate advocate for women in STEM, she blends technical expertise with leadership coaching to empower professionals. Through her work in quality management, engineering, and agile transformation, she helps teams build confidence, navigate self-doubt, and drive impactful change. Beth speaks on leadership, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, inspiring women to own their expertise and thrive in technical fields.
Atrium
Lunch | Networking
Unwind between morning and afternoon sessions with a catered lunch. Chat and connect with other event attendees and grow your network with other SWE members. Discuss new jobs, new adventures, as well as career advice. Visit the Networking Tables and say THANK YOU to our sponsors and maybe even find your next career step. We encourage you to take this time to get to know our speakers and learn from their expertise!
Room 231 | Lightning Session A
When an exciting new idea strikes, how ready are you to turn it into reality? Recently, I used Generative AI to kick-start and complete my very first side project—all within a single weekend. In this session, I’ll share the pros, cons, and key takeaways from leveraging Generative AI to supercharge your confidence, overcome analysis paralysis, and transform your next big idea into reality. Whether you’re new to AI or a seasoned pro, you’ll gain insights on how to apply these tools to accelerate learning and bring your creative projects to life.
Objectives
- Encourage others to pursue innovative ideas, even when faced with uncertainty or self-doubt.
- Demonstrate how tinkering with new technologies can rapidly expand skills and lead to successful outcomes.
- Gain insights on how to navigate challenges and practical recommendations for effectively engaging with GenAI.
About the Speaker
Emily Durie-Johnson is an experienced software engineer with over 7 years at Medtronic, where she has led software teams and developed medical-grade, safety-critical software. A passionate mentor, she has guided dozens of aspiring engineers through formal mentorship programs and FIRST Robotics. With BS degrees in Computer Science and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Computer Science from Georgia Tech, she is actively involved in organizing local meetups for Georgia Tech’s Online Masters Program. Emily is also a dedicated leader in multiple software communities, including the Denver C++ Meetup Group, Denver AI Interest Group, and Women&Tech Colorado.
Room 231 | Lightning Session B
Confidence in high-stakes engineering doesn’t just come from technical expertise—it’s built through experience handling pressure, making quick decisions, and staying composed when the stakes are high. Drawing from my years of experience answering 911 prior to my 7 years of experience in aerospace, this talk will highlight how emergency response skills—such as rapid problem-solving, clear communication, and decisive action—translate to engineering leadership and success.
Objectives
- How crisis management skills from 911 dispatching apply to aerospace engineering.
- How to develop “grace under fire” and lead effectively in high-stakes environments.
- Strategies to trust your expertise, communicate with clarity, and take action—even when outcomes are uncertain.
About the Speaker
As a senior space vehicle telecom engineer at BAE Systems (formerly Ball Aerospace), I have 7 years of experience in the aerospace industry, previously working at Sierra Space, HawkEye 360, NASA Kennedy Space Center, and more. I am a master’s candidate in aerospace engineering at CU Boulder. Prior to going back to school for engineering, I was a 911 call-taker/dispatcher for 2 years in Texas.
Room 101
Discover how proper application of breathwork and strength training can help you navigate stress and anxiety so you feel empowered and in control during high-pressure situations. Build a bridge and leverage our work in the gym to help us in the workplace and empower us in stressful situations. Explore how breathwork and strength training can boost mental resilience, reduce stress, and be effective tools to help you stay calm and effective in challenging situations.
Objectives
- Understand what stress is and how our body responds to stress in a work/professional situation.
- Understand strength training (what it is, how we apply it, and the mind-body connection).
- Practical demonstrations of breath work techniques and an understanding of how breath work and stress are connected.
About the Speaker
B.S. Architectural Engineering, NASM CPT, NSCA Program Design Specialist, Eleiko Weightlifting Level 1
Room 101
Is it Luck or Is it YOU | Kaitlyn Bunker
Kaitlyn Bunker, PhD, PE will present the afternoon Keynote Is it Luck, or Is it YOU. The concept of luck can show up in unexpected ways in our careers. In this session, we will explore opportunities to unlock our confidence as leaders, within the framing of luck. Kaitlyn’s experiences in the workplace and as a leader in SWE have emphasized the importance of striking the right balance among embracing luck when it comes, while not relying on luck or letting it take credit for your hard work and accomplishments. She will share her experiences and suggestions to support attendees in embracing their own ideal balance and approach to leading and succeeding with confidence.
Room 101
Rocky Mountain Summit Awards
Rocky Mountain Summit Awards are presented each year to SWE members, teams, or collegiates for their outstanding achievements and outstanding contributions to activities within RMS during the fiscal year. RMS is honored to recognize several individuals or groups with Rocky Mountain Summit Awards this year.
Scholarship Awards
SWE RMS awards three scholarships from our endowments: the Lottye Miner, Dorolyn Lines, and Pioneer Scholarships. These scholarships are for students already enrolled in an ABET accredited program for engineering or computer science, or are re-entering college after earning a previous degree.
Dorolyn Lines Scholarship
Dorolyn Lines was one of the charter members of the Denver Section of SWE. Her tireless efforts helped the Section become dynamic and prosperous, evolving into today’s Rocky Mountain Section.
Lottye Miner Scholarship
Lottye Miner joined SWE in 1956 and was one of the early Life Members – the first from the Rocky Mountain Section.
Pioneer Scholarship
The Pioneer Scholarship was established in memory of three pioneering women engineering graduates of the University of Colorado at Boulder: Hilda Counts Edgecomb (1919), Elsie Eaves (1920) and Lou Alta Melton Merrill (1920). They established the American Society of Women Engineers and Architects, a forerunner of SWE.
Entering Freshmen Scholarships
SWE RMS also awards at least three scholarships for students graduating from high school and entering college to study engineering or computer science. One scholarship is typically awarded to a student from a small, more rural school.
Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Sally Kammer
Bronze Sponsor
