Working with global, distributed teams is an essential part of solving today’s engineering challenges. So how do you lead those teams effectively and inclusively? An experienced panel of women engineers responsible for leading projects and teams across Europe and beyond examined the following questions and themes.
- The challenges involved in creating and leading pan-European or global teams, especially the differences to “just” leading a local group
- Real-life experiences and best practice from leaders in large organisations
- Common mistakes, how to overcome them and avoid repeating them
- Getting the most out of both remote and in-person leadership relationships
This SWE Europe Virtual Inspiration Session took place on 26 January 2023.
“I’m just starting my professional career and these types of sessions are very helpful to feel motivated and empowered.”
-Live session attendee
Missed the Session? Watch the Replay
Meet the Speakers
Alicia Bohnsack
BP
Alicia Bohnsack is a mechanical engineer from the US with over 20 years of experience working for bp. She recently moved to Germany with her family to work in program management for a refining availability accelerator. She is currently working in a central reliability group where she engages daily with people from across the globe.
Linn Stray Laastad
Customer Contact Center Director for EMEAI, Keysight Technologies
Linn Stray Laastad is currently the Customer Contact Center Director for EMEAI (Europe, Middle-East, Africa, India) in Keysight Technologies. In her role she leads a multinational organization of 230+ employees located across Europe and in India, with majority of the employees in Spain, Germany, India and UK. Her organization supports customers and business partners in administration of the company’s quote to revenue cycle processes, and compliance. She has a master degree in Political Science from the University of Oslo.
Raquel Virginia Poveda Lopez Brea
Brake Control Architecture, Wabtec
Raquel studied Mechanical Engineering at Politecnico de Madrid. During the final year of her Master Degree program, she moved to Turin, Italy where she finished her thesis within the Erasmus Program.
Since 2016, Raquel has worked in the railway industry's Brake Control Architecture, currently working for the Wabtec Corporation in Turin. Prior to Wabtec, she worked as Train System Engineer for Alstom Transport.
Outside of work, Raquel cares for her 13-month old baby with her husband-to-be.
Elizabeth Zapata
Distinguished Technologist, HP
Elizabeth Zapata is currently a Distinguished Technologist in HP Inc. She has lived and worked in the US, Israel, and Spain, and has many years of experience leading teams developing products across multiple locations. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from M.I.T. and an M.B.A from E.S.A.D.E. In her current role, she leads the technology development strategy and roadmap for the HP Large Format Printing business in Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain.
