LeadHERship Conference

The LeadHERship Conference strives to promote and amplify the voices of women and gender minorities in STEM. The conference brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences for a day of motivation, networking, skill-building and professional development. The LeadHERship Conference is co-sponsored by the Lore-El Center for Women’s Leadership, Graduate Student Life, Undergraduate Student Life and Development and Alumni Relations, along with generous support provided by Jim '89 and Dianne (Smith) Szipszky '90 M.Eng. '91 and the Office of the President | Diversity & Inclusion.

Learn more and contact us! [email protected]

Save the Date: 2021 LeadHERship Conference - September 17 & 18

2021 Theme: "Learning from the Past, Facing the Future"

The 2021 Conference will kick-off with a keynote speaker on Friday, September 17th, followed by a networking reception. All workshops will take place on Saturday, September 18th. The format of this conference (in-person/virtual/hybrid) will be determined over the summer.

The theme of this year's conference is "Learning From the Past, Facing the Future" and we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of women at Stevens. Conference programs and workshops will align with one or more of the following thematic areas:

Trust the Science: research-based workshops on gender equity, inclusion or related topics
Foundational Leadership: skills-based workshops on leadership, inclusion and identity development
Lessons in Life and Work: highlighting voices of alumni and seasoned professionals
The New Normal: assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its future implications

Past Conferences

2019 Keynote Address: Deanne Bell

Deanne Bell is an engineer, television host, and entrepreneur. Her television hosting credits include PBS, ESPN, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, DIY Network, and most recently CNBC’s ‘Make Me a Millionaire Inventor'. Deanne is also the founder and CEO of Future Engineers, an education technology company that engages students in online contests and challenges. Future Engineers' inaugural competition, developed with the ASME Foundation and NASA, produced historic achievements including the first student-designed 3D print in space. Her company has since become a US Department of Education SBIR awardee, and was selected by NASA to host the Mars 2020 "Name the Rover” contest. Deanne lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and two young children. She earned her mechanical engineering degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and she is the 2019 Young Alumni Award recipient for its McKelvey School of Engineering.

Deanne Bell

2019 Opening Remarks: Malena Higuera '75

Malena is a high-level executive in the cosmetic industry who consistently builds value for employers and clients. For over 25 years, Malena’s creativity and business savvy have brought success at companies like Revlon, Coty, Honeywell, and Ajinomoto, among others. Her client and partner list include L’Oréal, Estee’ Lauder, P&G, Elizabeth Arden, Unilever, and more. Today, Malena is Managing Partner at MAldecoa & Associates, LCC. A Hoboken High School graduate, Malena was among the first class of women admitted to Stevens when the university became coed in 1971. During her time at Stevens she served as the Secretary in the Latin American Association. Earning her BS in Chemical Engineering and MS in Management Science, Malena is now celebrated as the first Latin American woman to graduate from Stevens in 1975.

Malena Higuera

2017 Keynote Address: Carla Harris

Carla Harris is vice chairman of wealth management and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was chair of the Morgan Stanley Foundation from 2005 to 2014, and sits on the boards of several community organizations. In August 2013, Ms. Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council. Ms. Harris joined Morgan Stanley in 1987 after earning an AB in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Among her many accolades, Ms. Harris has been named to Fortune’s list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America,” American Banker’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance,” Black Enterprise’s “Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business” and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street,” Essence’s list of “The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World," and Ebony’s “Power 100” and “15 Corporate Women at the Top.”

Ms. Harris is the author of several books including Authenticity: The Power Is You, The 90-Day Rule, Perception is the Co-Pilot to Reality, Leverage Your Voice, Expect to Win: Show Up With Your Best Self Every Day, and, most recently, Strategize to Win. Ms. Harris is also an accomplished gospel singer. While at Harvard, she sang with the world-renowned Radcliffe Chorale Society and in her own band Rhythm Company. She has performed four sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall and released several albums.

2017 Opening Remarks: Jennifer Casson Tripucka

Jennifer Casson Tripucka is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the popular lifestyle site Hoboken Girl (HobokenGirl.com). She has also served as a digital editor at BRIDES Magazine (of Condé Nast). Before her digital and writing dreams came to fruition, Jennifer's career started with an interest in human behavior — she served as a school counselor in public education for over five years, after obtaining her undergraduate and Master's degrees in psychology from Lehigh University. She lives in Hoboken with her husband and French Bulldog, Pierre.