2021 Virtual Spring Summit conference was held on Saturday, April 24. If you missed out on the event or just want to re-watch a session, select recordings from the event are now on the YouTube 2021 Virtual Spring Summit Playlist.

Spring Summit is a one-day conference for engineers, technologists, and partners to connect through professional development workshops, inspirational speakers, and networking opportunities. RMS started the year planning an in-person event with a local collegiate section as a co-sponsor. With the ongoing uncertainty that the pandemic created for in-person events and the collegiate co-sponsor backing out of supporting the event, the Spring Summit committee pivoted to design a high impact professional development and networking event for RMS. By embracing the virtual platform, we reached a wider audience, including out-of-state members from nearby sections who otherwise would not be able to attend the event.

This year's theme was Embrace Uncertainty: Find Your True North and featured keynote speakers Jo Miller, a globally renowned authority and expert on women's leadership and Dr. Heidi Steltzer, and environmental scientist, explorer, and storyteller. FY21 SWE President, Heather Doty, presented opening remarks and provided her insight into importance of the Summit's theme in her personal experiences as a SWE member and industry professional. Instead of limiting the event to a single session per time slot like most other virtual events, we leveraged the platform functionality to allow self-select breakout rooms of 8 different breakout sessions, mimicking breakout rooms selections of an in-person conference. We included specific networking sessions including morning coffee and lunch networking. The event program and social media marketing attracted three industry financial sponsors and their employees for attendance. The post-event survey reveals 72% rated the event as “Excellent” and 28% rated as “Above Average”. 

Check out the Opening Comments, and head over to the  YouTube 2021 Virtual Spring Summit Playlist for more.

The SWE RMS Section Awards are presented to SWE RMS members, teams, or collegiates who have made an outstanding contribution to activities within SWE RMS during the fiscal year. Nominees are judged based on the significance of the achievements cited on behalf of the nominee and on the contributions of the nominee to various SWE RMS activities. RMS Summit Awards were recognized at the 2021 Virtual Spring Summit event held on April 24, 2021. This year RMS recognized the following members for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the section. ​

​Let’s welcome the SWE-RMS FY21 Executive Council!
We asked each EC member to share a fun fact and what they would like to accomplish this year.
​

​Lisa Woodward, President
Lisa Woodward will be continuing in her second year as section President. Lisa spent most of her career in environmental engineering. Recently she is working as a project advisor for the senior design class at the Colorado School of Mines.
 
From Lisa: My husband and I are remodeling most of our main floor so life without a kitchen is challenging. It is a good thing it is summer so we can grill outside. But, I think all of the inconveniences will be worth when we are finished. This year, I am looking forward to working with the EC on innovative ways to connect our membership, outreach and to increase our diversity in these challenging times.
 
Picture is Lisa at Animal Kingdom walking over live alligators.

Christi Wisleder, 1st Vice President
Christi Wisleder is a Civil Project Engineer at Merrick & Company, leading transportation and major drainage design projects as a design consultant for local public works agencies in the Denver metro area. Christi has held many different support roles within the RMS section and was also on the 2020 WE Local Raleigh Local Host Committee Program Subcommittee.
 
From Christi: I’m looking forward to strengthening our section’s corporate partnerships and seeing our virtual capabilities and connections expand. I would like to teach my huskador Maybelle an extraordinary dog trick. My previous dog could open the fridge, fetch a beer, and then close the fridge. While Maybelle will not be taught to open the fridge (she’d eat everything), there is plenty else for her to learn.
 
Picture is Christi (pink scarf) enjoying WE Local Raleigh as part of the LHC.

Ashley Kreuder, VP of Outreach
Ashley works in sustainability and her expertise in life cycle assessment (LCA) allows her to make decisions and justify the best potential outcome using facts and assessment of potential trade-offs. Ashley is also currently the Girls Exploring Science Technology Engineering and Math (GESTEM) committee chair.
 
From Ashley:  I look forward to getting our section more involved in local outreach events and SWENext! (SWENext is a way for girls to become a part of the SWE engineering community as a student through the age of 18). I would like to go to the Grand Canyon this year.
 
Picture is Ashley with her husband in front of the CO state dinosaur.

Sarah Green, VP of Membership
Sarah Green is continuing in her second year as VP of Membership. Sarah works as a Regional Technical Manager for Keurig Dr Pepper. Her favorite things about SWE are meeting other like-minded engineers, inspiring students to pursue engineering, and growing through professional development events. 
 
From Sarah: I worked on an ice cream project for about a year after college! After eating so much of it for work, I took a break from ice cream for a year or two but enjoy it now. I hope to start kegging my own beer soon!
 
Picture is Sarah en route from Vancouver (city) to Vancouver Island.

Heather Munoz, VP of Professional Development
Heather Munoz is continuing in her second year as VP of Professional Development. Heather is an Engineering Director at Sundt Renewables working on large scale photovoltaic solar projects. She will be working on ways to continue expanding the RMS Women In “X” development series.
 
From Heather: I’m looking forward to getting back into running, one of my favorite hobbies, after taking a year off. Half marathons are my favorite distance to train for. One of my goals is to find ways to better serve the RMS membership with virtual development opportunities. 
 
Picture is Heather skiing at Aspen Highlands.

​Kaitlin Chapman, VP of Professional Enrichment
Kaitlin Chapman works as a Quality Engineer at Medtronic and is in her second year on the RMS EC. Her favorite things about SWE include connecting with fellow female engineers, gaining professional development skills, and inspiring the next generation of engineers. In her free time, she loves hiking with her dog, baking, and reading.
 
From Kaitlin: I am looking forward to helping expand the professional development opportunities for our members in SWE RMS and continue to expand my SWE network! This year I am looking forward to saving money for the many travels I am planning once the virus is better.
 
Picture is Kaitlin with her dog Libby.

Jennifer Buechler, Treasurer
 Jennifer is continuing in her second year as Treasurer and has been an active RMS member since moving back to Colorado in 2015. Jennifer is an Engineering Project Manager at Spectra Logic, managing software engineers and technicians to support the manufacturing line. In her free time, she loves hiking, skiing, and cycling.
 
From Jennifer:  I've climbed 31 out of 58 of the 14ers (mountains over 14,000 feet)! Since travel options are limited this year, I'm focusing on hiking, trail running, and climbing in Colorado.
For a professional goal for this year, I'm working on strategic thinking and developing a vision for my team.
 
Picture is Jennifer on the North Ridge scramble up Mt. Neva.

Maureen Masiulis, Secretary
Maureen is new to the RMS EC this year. Maureen is a Sector Lead in the Tactical Solutions Survivability and Strike mission area at Ball Aerospace. Maureen has previously been honored with the Society of Women Engineering’s Distinguished New Engineer Award and Society of Women Engineer’s Emerging Leader Award. 
 
From Maureen: Although I have been an active SWE member since 2003, I didn't join a section until recently.  I look forward to learning more about section operations and hope to bring some new ideas from previous Society & Member at Large roles.  What I hope to accomplish this year - Thrive through change! It will be a whole new ball game supporting remote learning for two elementary students for two parents who work full time in roles that require on-site support many days and occasional travel. I look forward to sharing challenges & best practices with all of you!
 
Picture is Maureen enjoying the outdoors.

​Check out the other committee chair members supporting RMS on our leadership page.

The results of the 33nd annual Great Women in Engineering and Science Essay Contest are in! The competition was fierce again this year with an outstanding 170 entries from 14 schools in Colorado and Wyoming. A panel of 14 volunteer judges enjoyed reviewing all of the essays. Congratulations to every entrant!
 
The top three awards are a $75, $50, and $25 prize in addition to the science kit and science book awarded to the honorable merit and honorable mention recipients. The top three award winners are listed below in no particular order. Their prizes will be announced at the Society of Women Engineers Rocky Mountain Section award ceremony, which will be held remotely this year. The following students will receive a personal invitation to the event:
 
Abigail Bybee of Highlands Ranch, CO for her essay on Rachel Carson. Abigail attends 6th grade at Arrowwood Elementary School and was sponsored by teacher Fay Von Tilius.
 
Matilda Garcia Stevenson of Longmont, CO for her essay on Rachel Carson. Matilda attends 6th grade at Westview Middle School and was sponsored by teacher Veronica Barbosa.
 
Connor Thiessen of Parker, CO for his essay on Rita Levi-Montalcini. Connor attends 6th grade at Parker Core Knowledge Charter School and was sponsored by teacher Heather Puckett.  ​