Michelle Tortolani
Michelle Tortolani was born in North Providence, RI and was the first person in her extended family to pursue a career in engineering. From an early age, Michelle was drawn to math and science and solving problems, and driven to expand opportunities for women. She brought this passion and energy to Boston University, where she majored in electrical engineering, was introduced to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and led career development and outreach efforts inside and outside the classroom.
After graduation from Boston University in 1982, she continued her involvement with SWE and used the experience to grow as a leader and a manager, and to give back to the Society. She held multiple leadership roles at the section, region, and Society levels, with a focus on strengthening and expanding the Society’s strategic vision and implementing initiatives to grow the Society’s membership, professional development, and public policy programs. Michelle believed strongly in the development of programs which extended the Society’s reach to its members and its voice as an advocate and catalyst for women in engineering.
Michelle is a Life Member, Past Society President, and Fellow of SWE. She served on the Society Board of Directors from 2001 thru 2008, and as Society President 2007-2008. In 2009, she was selected a Fellow of SWE for technical and program management excellence, long-term commitment to the society, and promoting engineering to women nationally and internationally.
She also served as an at-large director of the American Association of Engineering Societies from 2011 thru 2013. Michelle is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Women in Technology, and is an active member of the Boston University College of Engineering Alumni Association.
Professionally, Michelle began her career as a systems engineer on ground tactical communications systems at Hughes Aircraft Corporation, having found the position as a result of attending a SWE National Conference Career Fair. Her passion and ability to lead was recognized early, and she quickly moved into program and engineering management roles at both start-up firms and large, established corporations. Her ability to effectively pull teams together to solve difficult problems and foster collaboration amongst team members; and strong track record of successfully completing projects and achieving desired results has led to executive roles in the transportation and defense industries in both program and engineering management.
Michelle currently leads a $2.5B portfolio for the development of the next-generation high-speed trainsets and supporting infrastructure, which will elevate the train travel experience with enhancements in comfort, technology, innovation, and safety. Previously, she led a large functional engineering organization developing products, systems, and networks supporting air traffic management and mission critical communications and improving air traffic management operations safety and efficiency.
Michelle earned a B.S. and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University. She is also a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Executive Leadership Development Program.
With this scholarship, Michelle hopes to encourage more women to enter engineering, and to inspire those women to lead others within the profession and to the profession.
