Welcome to WE25
Welcome to New Orleans and WE25, SWE’s annual conference, reflecting this year’s theme, Embrace Your Story! At the Society of Women Engineers, we believe every member’s story matters. It is a proud tradition that we have maintained for 75 years, and at WE25, we have created a space to honor the journeys, challenges, breakthroughs, and dreams that have shaped both who we are and where we’re going.
WE25 brings together thousands of women in engineering and technology, along with allies and industry leaders, for a conference unlike any other. Whether you are a university student, a midcareer professional, or a senior leader, WE25 offers the strategies, support, and community you need to thrive in your career.
Rich educational experience
WE25 features hundreds of dynamic, thought-provoking sessions led by subject matter experts from around the world. You can expect high-quality technical content, best practices in leadership and management, and innovative perspectives on emerging trends across disciplines. From artificial intelligence and sustainability to project management and product development, WE25 is the place to sharpen your skills and expand your knowledge.
Our educational sessions are designed with diverse goals in mind, whether you are preparing for licensure, exploring a new field, or simply staying current in a rapidly changing industry. The jam-packed three days of programming — a mix of keynote talks, Inspirational Insights sessions, panel discussions, and workshops — provide you with plenty of learning opportunities.
Career development at every level
Career advancement is one of the cornerstones of the WE25 experience. That is why our career fair is one of the largest in the world for women engineers, hosting hundreds of top organizations that are recruiting for internships, co-ops, full-time roles, and executive-level positions. This is the place to explore new opportunities and make meaningful connections.
In addition to the career fair, WE25 offers resume reviews, mock interviews, and career coaching. Take full advantage of these resources, as well as all the others SWE provides year-round, as they are designed to give you the confidence and clarity to move forward with purpose and to advocate for yourself at every stage of your career.
Networking and community
At its heart, SWE has always been about community. WE25 is a celebration of the connections that help us grow both personally and professionally. Throughout the conference, there are countless opportunities to meet potential mentors, collaborators, role models, and friends during a variety of social events, meetups, affinity group gatherings, and informal networking lounges. These relationships can be transformative, personally enriching, and professionally empowering.
Be inspired by others
And finally, an event not to be missed (and perhaps my favorite part of the annual conference) is the SWE APEX Awards presentation Friday evening. It is an incredible celebration of engineering and leadership excellence. No ticket is required, so I encourage you to attend and prepare to be inspired!
Whether you are joining us in New Orleans or are reading this from the comfort of home, take a moment to reflect on your own story. Everyone’s path is distinct, and your voice, your contributions, and your vision matter. It is not just about looking back. It is about claiming your space in the future of engineering and technology. Through your story, you inspire others to pursue theirs.
I look forward to seeing you at WE25 — and hearing your story.
Author
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Karen Horting (she/her), CAE, is the SWE executive director and CEO. She joined the Society in 2004 after working with the New York Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

