On April 12, 2025, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Dallas Section hosted its annual Professional Development Day, welcoming members and guests to an energizing and impactful event centered around the theme “Mastering Workplace Dynamics.” Organized by the Professional Development Committee under the leadership of Vice President of Professional Development Nicole and Professional Development Chair Anmolika Singh, the event offered attendees an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, expand their networks, and gain fresh perspectives on thriving in today’s complex work environments. The Professional Development Committee’s meticulous planning and dedication ensured a smooth and enriching experience for all who participated.
The day featured a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Stepping Into Influence: Driving Change Without the Title,” moderated by Anmolika Singh. The panel brought together a distinguished group of professionals: Suzy Dorsey, who shared her experiences in building trust and driving change through relationships and collaboration; Mara Schwartz, who highlighted how technical expertise and interpersonal skills can be leveraged to create meaningful influence; Claire Jordan, who emphasized the importance of resilience, communication, and authenticity in leadership; and Dr. Ben Zoghi, PhD, PE, who provided valuable insights on the role of emotional intelligence in becoming an effective leader without relying on formal authority. Their collective experiences and advice made it clear that leadership is less about titles and more about consistent action and presence.
Attendees were also inspired by two Listen & Learn sessions. In “Talk Isn’t Cheap! What Do Your Language Choices Cost You?”, speakers Barbara Read and Zaineb Ahmad led an engaging conversation about the profound impact of everyday word choices on professional image, confidence, and relationships. Their interactive session offered real-world examples and practical strategies for using language more intentionally in professional settings.
The second Listen & Learn session, “If Not Me, Then Who? Owning Middle Management,” featured Amber Kreceman, M.S. and Corey Pitts, PMP. They explored the critical role middle managers play as the connective tissue of organizations, driving strategy, execution, and culture. Drawing on their extensive leadership experience, they shared insights into building influence across all levels of the organization and techniques for navigating the unique challenges of middle management.
In addition to these outstanding sessions, the event provided professional headshots, engaging networking activities such as “2 Truths & a Lie” and “Networking Bingo,” a delicious lunch, and raffle prize opportunities.
The SWE-Dallas Section extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the speakers for sharing their expertise and to the Professional Development Committee members for their hard work behind the scenes. A special thanks goes out to all the attendees for bringing their energy, curiosity, and engagement, helping make Professional Development Day 2025 a tremendous success.
This event was a powerful reflection of SWE-Dallas’s commitment to empowering its members to lead, inspire, and make an impact — no matter their official title. The section looks forward to hosting more transformative professional development opportunities in the future.
