Dallas SWE is excited to recognize Chenai Sukume as our August 2026 Member of the Month!
Chenai Sukume is a Quality Engineer at Siemens, a passionate advocate for STEM education, and a dedicated member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Chenai is from Harare, Zimbabwe, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX and has built a career rooted in resilience, continuous learning, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
Chenai’s SWE journey began as a college student searching for opportunities to connect with other women in engineering. After learning about SWE online in 2017, Chenai attended a regional conference at Texas A&M University and was immediately inspired by the supportive community, professional development opportunities, and representation of women thriving across engineering disciplines. That experience sparked a desire to become more involved and learn more about the organization.
Later that same year, Chenai took a five-hour Greyhound bus ride from Wichita Falls, TX, to Austin, TX, to volunteer at the SWE Annual Conference. That entire experience proved to be life changing! Being surrounded by thousands of engineers, students, and industry leaders from across the world provided a powerful vision of what was possible professionally and personally. Seeing women represented at every level of engineering and leadership reinforced the importance of community, mentorship, and advocacy. Inspired by the conference, Chenai returned to campus determined to create similar opportunities for other students.
During her senior year of college, Chenai petitioned to charter a collegiate section of the Society of Women Engineers at Midwestern State University, helping build a network where women pursuing engineering could connect, develop professionally, and support one another. That early experience shaped a long-term commitment to SWE’s mission and to creating pathways for future engineers.
Today, Chenai is a nine-year SWE member and has been actively involved with the Dallas SWE professional section for the past six years. As a member of the Dallas SWE Outreach Committee, Chenai enjoys engaging with students and introducing them to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This commitment to outreach also includes volunteering at Irving ISD Career Day events, sharing personal experiences and encouraging students to pursue their goals with confidence and perseverance. One of Chenai’s favorite volunteer opportunities has been Design Your World, where students are introduced to engineering through hands-on activities and real-world problem solving. Seeing young students discover their creativity, build confidence, and become excited about STEM careers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering with SWE.
Professionally, Chenai’s path into engineering was anything but traditional. During the pandemic, Chenai worked as a contracted operator across multiple manufacturing facilities, gaining valuable hands-on experience on the production floor. After a period in the hospitality industry, Chenai transitioned into an Injection Molding Technician role at SigmaPro Engineering & Manufacturing. Through determination, technical growth, and a passion for learning, Chenai was quickly promoted to Quality Engineer before later joining Siemens in the same capacity.
Chenai’s journey demonstrates that there is no single path to success in engineering. Through professional achievement, mentorship, and community service, Chenai strives to embody SWE’s mission of empowering women to achieve their full potential as engineers and leaders while inspiring others to pursue opportunities they may never have imagined possible.
What accomplishment are you most proud of recently?
My full circle moment – This year I was selected to speak at the WeLocal Conference in Portland, OR.
Hobbies or fun-fact you would like to share?
I never learned how to ride a bike as a child. At 21, I bought a bright yellow bike and taught myself how to ride, despite a few falls and some embarrassing moments along the way. Today, I collect 3D-printed and sculpted metal bike motifs as a reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new and that perseverance can take you farther than you imagine.
Connect with Chenai on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenaisukum
Do you know a Dallas SWE member whose technical contributions, leadership accomplishments, or SWE volunteer service are particularly noteworthy? Fill out this form to nominate them for recognition: https://forms.gle/8ZCXme1rYmGVjY1f8
