Women’s Professional Development Workshop

Breaking Boundaries: Empowering Women to Lead our Workforce
Wednesday, June 11, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
 

Sponsored by:

This year, the Women’s Professional Development workshop will feature a diverse and accomplished panel of women leaders who will illustrate how they were able to break through the boundaries many women face as they pursue advancement in their career. Planned by the Committee for the Professional Development of Women, but this topic is applicable to everyone working in the industry. All attendees are invited to the discussion!

According to recent reports, women are still decades away from parity, especially women of color. However, the number of women in senior leadership roles has steadily risen over the past 10 years, and we are offering you the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from such female leaders, inspiring the next generation to break through the glass ceiling and any other boundary they may face.

Our esteemed moderator and panelists have held the titles of Director, Deputy, and Doctor. These intriguing, accomplished individuals will no doubt enrich and empower this year’s participants as they detail various challenges and accomplishments encountered on their career journey. You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation with our inspiring panelists as they discuss the many boundaries surmounted on their road to success!


Speakers:

Meggen DeLollis, Director of Analytical Services, Keika Ventures
 
Meggen DeLollis obtained a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. She worked as an environmental consultant and source tester for URS/AECOM for 10 years, during which time she managed projects, field efforts, and people. In 2017, she joined the team of a small logistics and consulting firm, Keika Ventures. She now is the Director of Analytical Services for the company, managing clients, personnel, and business decisions within the Analytical Services business line. Outside of work, Meggen volunteers and has held various leadership roles within the Junior League of Raleigh. She also enjoys running, reading, and traveling the world.

Sushma Masemore, Deputy Secretary for Environment, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Sushma Masemore was named Deputy Secretary for Environment in May of 2021. She guides DEQ’s regulatory divisions and brings more than 35 years of public and private sector experience to the role. Masemore oversees the development and implementation of major policy initiatives related to air, water, solid waste, and hazardous waste permitting, remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, brownfields redevelopment, dam safety, mining operations and energy projects. Masemore joined DEQ as a permit engineer and has served in a variety of leadership positions managing teams of scientists and engineers. Her private sector experience includes building partnerships between businesses and government to develop environmental solutions that protects public health and supports a strong economy. Masemore earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Maryland and is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina.

Janet McCabe, Distinguished Scholar, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
 
Janet McCabe is an environmental policy expert with a distinguished career in public service, law, and academia. She has served at the US EPA as Deputy Administrator from 2021-2024 and in the Office of Air and Radiation during the Obama Administration. She has worked at state environmental agencies in Massachusetts and Indiana, focused in particular on air pollution issues. At Indiana University from 2017 to 2021, she taught at the McKinney Law School and was Director of IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute. Her nonprofit experience includes several years as Executive Director of Improving Kids’ Environment, which focused on environmental threats to children’s health. Raised in Washington, DC, she graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Moderator:

Meagan Kittle Autry, Associate Teaching Professor, Director of Professional Development and Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State

Meagan Kittle Autry, Ph.D. is an associate teaching professor and director of graduate professional development in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at NC State. She teaches courses in professional engineering communication and research communication. She also serves as the Director of Science Communication for the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center, an NSF-funded science and technology center. She is a frequent speaker at events helping technical professionals improve their writing, speaking, and professional skills. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, daughter, and perpetually playful Bernedoodle.

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A&WMA Committee for the Professional Development of Women
This workshop was planned by The Committee for the Professional Development of Women. The commitee's goal is to draw upon the unique perspectives and talents of women to further the goals of the Association and to mentor women in the profession.