Jennifer Chen Morikawa has been an active Society of Women Engineers member since 1997. Her tenure, which began in her collegiate years, is filled with significant contributions and transformative leadership at all levels of the Society. She holds a SWE senior life membership.

Morikawa has held pivotal SWE leadership roles such as Detroit Section president and section representative and Region H secretary, lieutenant governor, and governor. She has also served on various task forces and committees, such as nominating, program development grants, and awards and recognition, which she chaired. While serving on the SWE Board of Directors, Morikawa worked to increase diversity and inclusion in the Society’s programs and encouraged and improved cross-collaboration among Society committees.

Morikawa has continuously served SWE for more than 20 years and has developed relationships with both prospective and seasoned members around the world. Her inclusive leadership has catalyzed significant transformations, notably the transition from regional conferences to WE Local, which broadened the organization’s reach and impact. She also pioneered the first endowed scholarship for community college students, addressing a critical need and opening doors for aspiring engineers.

As an advisor for SWE’s Asian Connections affinity group, Morikawa has been instrumental in guiding a diverse cohort of emerging leaders, fostering a culture of engagement and recognition within SWE. For her remarkable service and leadership, she received SWE’s Region H Distinguished Service, Distinguished New Engineer, and the inaugural Outstanding SWE Counselor awards.

In parallel to her remarkable SWE journey, Morikawa built a distinguished career in engineering. Currently, as a senior manufacturing engineer and business planner for General Motors, she leads the manufacturing engineering vehicle systems team’s early-career programs, driving strategic initiatives to build the workforce of the future and an environment of collaboration and innovation. Morikawa inspires and influences leaders at multiple levels within her organization, ensuring alignment on goals, nurturing cross-functional and global collaboration, and leveraging her extensive process expertise to support business operations.

Morikawa’s rich cultural heritage as a second-generation Taiwanese American, whose extended family is a melting pot of multi-Asian cultures, infuses her leadership with empathy, inclusivity, and global perspective. Her contributions surpass her professional and SWE engagements, enriching her community.

Morikawa has served as a key leader for smaller non-profit organizations such as Michigan Chinese School and Niji-Iro Japanese Language Immersion Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. In these roles, she not only introduced original programs but also laid the groundwork for robust processes and guidelines, contributing to their growth and sustainability.

Morikawa holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in interdisciplinary engineering from Purdue University. Together with her husband, she is raising two future SWE allies and supports their activities as a volunteer driver.