IEEE IAS Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group
Empowering Women to Shape the Future of Industry Applications
The IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Women in Engineering Affinity Group (WIE AG) is a global community dedicated to empowering and advancing women in industrial and applied engineering fields.
Rooted in IEEE IAS, IAS WIE fosters a supportive environment where women engineers can grow, connect, and lead.
We bring together engineers, researchers, students, and professionals working across areas such as power systems, automation, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, and emerging technologies. Through mentorship, leadership development, outreach, and global collaboration, we enable women to thrive and make impactful contributions to society.
Mission
To empower, advance, and celebrate women in Industry Applications engineering through mentorship, leadership, outreach, and meaningful community engagement.
Core Values
Support
Creating a safe and encouraging environment
Belonging
Fostering inclusion and authentic connection
Growth
Enabling continuous personal and professional development
Inclusivity
Welcoming diverse perspectives and voices
Community
Building strong global networks
IAS WIE is not just a professional network — it is a community where individuals feel seen, supported, and inspired to succeed.
What We Do
Our work is centered around four key pillars:
Technical Programs & Workshops
Hands-on workshops and sessions in power electronics, automation, renewable energy, process industries, industrial and commercial power systems, manufacturing systems development and applications.
Mentorship & Leadership Development
Connecting members with experienced mentors to support career and leadership growth.
Outreach & Empowerment
Encouraging young girls and early-career women to explore STEM and grow in engineering fields.
Global Collaboration
Partnering with IEEE chapters and industry to deliver impactful, real-world engineering initiatives.
Impact & Event Highlights
Key global initiatives include WEFOR Brazil 2026, APEC 2026, Leadership Summit Jordan, and outreach programs.
Women Empowerment & Formation Conference (WEFOR) – Brazil, 2026
The WEFOR – Women Empowerment & Formation Conference, organized by IEEE WIE UFMS and the IEEE UFMS Student Branch, brought together engineering students, researchers, and professionals for four days of technical sessions, leadership discussions, industry exposure, and hands-on workshops. Hosted at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Brazil, the conference promoted women’s leadership in engineering while strengthening connections between academia, industry, and IEEE. IAS Women in Engineering supported the event through technical sponsorship, branding, and outreach initiatives that expanded engagement with future women engineers in Latin America.
Highlights:
- Four-day program featuring leadership panels, technical workshops, industry visits, and career development sessions.
- Technical visit to ADM do Brasil, providing participants with real-world exposure to industrial processes and engineering applications.
- Sessions covering sustainability, renewable energy, innovation, environmental engineering, technology transfer, and women in STEM leadership.
- IEEE IAS outreach activities introducing students to membership opportunities, conferences, travel grants, and professional development programs.
Impact:
- Empowered women engineering students through leadership development, technical training, and exposure to real-world engineering careers.
- Strengthened engagement with IEEE, IAS, and WIE, increasing awareness of membership opportunities and professional resources.
- Inspired future STEM careers by connecting participants with experienced professionals, industry leaders, and relatable success stories.
- Fostered collaboration between academia, industry, and IEEE, creating meaningful professional networks and encouraging continued participation in the engineering community.
Kids Make STEM with Heart
Kids Make STEM with Heart is an IEEE-led outreach initiative designed to inspire students in Grades 5–8 by making science and engineering exciting, accessible, and meaningful. Through guided experiments, engineering challenges, and one-on-one mentorship from IEEE volunteers and university students, participants experience STEM beyond the classroom while developing curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Hosted at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), the event brought together students, parents, educators, and IEEE volunteers for a day of learning, innovation, and community engagement.
Event Highlights:
- 45 middle school students participated alongside their parents.
- 18 dedicated mentors from universities and IEEE guided every activity.
- 5 hands-on STEM projects covering electronics, coding, chemistry, radio communication, and biotechnology.
- Inspirational talks from IEEE leaders, engineers, and STEM professionals.
- Every participant received an individual STEM kit to build, learn, and take home.
- Collaboration between IEEE societies, university student branches, and young professionals.
- Completely free of charge, ensuring equal access to quality STEM education.
Impact:
- Inspired early interest in STEM and engineering careers.
- Promoted creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on problem solving.
- Increased parent awareness of STEM education opportunities.
- Encouraged inclusive participation and greater representation in engineering.
- Established a scalable IEEE outreach model for future community engagement.
APEC 2026 WIE Events
The APEC 2026 Women in Engineering program celebrated technical excellence while fostering an inclusive and supportive engineering community. The WiE Breakfast Event, co‑organized by the IEEE Industry Applications Society, IEEE Power Electronics Society, and PSMA WiE, the program brought together students, young professionals, and experienced engineers through engaging sessions focused on career growth, leadership, and networking.
Event Highlights:
- WiE Breakfast Event featuring keynote speaker Seema Bakshi, who shared practical insights on building career confidence, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing mentorship.
- Recognition of the inaugural APEC WiE Travel Grant recipients, supporting broader participation from students and young professionals worldwide.
- First-ever WiE Networking Event in the Expo Hall, connecting engineers across academia and industry.
- Interactive discussions on career development, leadership, mentorship, and professional growth.
- A welcoming platform that strengthened collaboration and expanded professional networks across the global engineering community.
Impact:
- Empowered students and professionals by fostering confidence, mentorship, and leadership through inspiring talks and interactive discussions.
- Strengthened professional networks by connecting students, early-career professionals, and experienced engineers across academia and industry.
- Promoted diversity and inclusion by expanding participation through the inaugural WiE Travel Grants and creating an inclusive platform for engagement.
- Advanced professional development by providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and career growth within the global engineering community.
WIE International Leadership Summit 2025 – Jordan
The IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Summit 2025, organized by the IEEE WIE Jordan Section under the theme “Women in Leadership,” brought together engineers, researchers, industry professionals, academics, and students from around the world to advance leadership, diversity, and professional growth in engineering. Held in Amman, Jordan, the summit featured inspiring keynote sessions, technical talks, interactive workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and outreach initiatives designed to empower women and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
Event Highlights:
- 160+ participants representing academia, industry, IEEE volunteers, and students from Jordan and several countries including the USA, UK, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Iraq.
- Inspiring keynote speeches, leadership workshops, technical sessions, and panel discussions on AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, aerospace, semiconductors, and emerging technologies.
- Dedicated mentorship, networking, and professional development activities, including Coffee Talks, Young Professionals sessions, and mentorship program showcases.
- STEM outreach initiatives encouraging schoolgirls and young women to pursue careers in engineering through interactive learning experiences.
Impact:
- Empowered women engineers by strengthening leadership skills, mentorship opportunities, and global professional networks.
- Advanced diversity and inclusion by fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and IEEE communities while inspiring future generations in STEM.
- Strengthened international collaboration by bringing together distinguished speakers and participants from multiple countries to exchange knowledge and best practices.
- Created lasting community impact through technical learning, outreach initiatives, and meaningful networking that supports the continued growth of women in engineering worldwide.
Voices of WIE (CCNY)
Voices of WIE brought together Electrical and Mechanical Engineering students at The City College of New York (CCNY) Grove School of Engineering for an engaging fireside chat and networking mixer. Organized by the IEEE PES/PELS/IAS Student Branch at CCNY, the event featured women engineers from academia, industry, and student leadership who shared their career journeys, challenges, and insights, creating an empowering platform for mentorship, professional development, and community building.
Highlights:
- Panel featuring distinguished speakers from academia, industry, and student leadership, representing diverse engineering career paths.
- Interactive fireside discussions and networking sessions that encouraged mentorship, career exploration, and open dialogue.
- Active participation from Electrical and Mechanical Engineering students, fostering a supportive and inclusive engineering community.
- Collaborative effort by the IEEE PES/PELS/IAS Student Branch at CCNY and dedicated student volunteers to celebrate and promote Women in Engineering.
Impact:
- Inspired aspiring women engineers by sharing authentic career journeys, experiences, and leadership perspectives.
- Strengthened mentorship and professional networks through meaningful interactions between students, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Promoted diversity and inclusion by creating an encouraging space that celebrated women’s contributions to engineering.
- Fostered a supportive engineering community that empowers students to pursue leadership, collaboration, and lifelong professional growth.
IEEE IAS WIE Structure
Leadership Team
Yanni Zhong – Representative (R8, UK)
Galini Kondyli – Secretary (R8, Germany)
Sidhi Asha Shaji – Conference and Event Liaison (R8, Germany)
Regional Representatives
Regions 1–2: Lea Manglicmot
Regions 3–4: Chloe Man Xu
Regions 5–6: Mercy Chelangat Koech
Region 7: Noreen Anwar
Region 8 Europe: Sidhi Asha Shaji
Region 8 Africa & Middle East: Amira Ouerfelli
Region 9: Ianca Moraes
Region 10: Archa S
Sponsor WiE Events
IAS WIE provides support to initiatives aligned with its mission.
Supported events are expected to:
- Align with IAS goals
- Share promotional materials
- Provide event photos and reports