From College Friends to Corporate Powerhouses: Engineering Leadership That Lasts

Friday, October 24, 2025

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM CT

Location: MCCNO 243-245

Speaker(s)

Kathy Krehnovi, n/a

Director, Mfg Process Engineering
Rockwell Automation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Gina O'Connell, n/a

President, Group Development
Mintel
Sarasota, United States

Moderator(s)

Jillienne Hussey, n/a

Project Manager
AD Process Equipment
Plainfield, Illinois, United States

Speaker(s)

Leslie Brown, n/a

Strategy Execution Director
Midmark Corporation
Minster, United States

From first-day jitters in engineering class to leading industry-defining projects, this panel tells a story of resilience, leadership, and lifelong friendship. What happens when four women engineers, who supported each other through thermodynamics exams, go on to tackle leadership in automotive, medical devices, consumer products, and industrial automation? They break barriers, innovate, and pave the way for future women in STEM. This interactive panel will share real-world experiences on: overcoming imposter syndrome and thriving in male-dominated industries, navigating career transitions across different engineering sectors, building a leadership presence and driving impactful change, and the power of peer mentorship and career-long connections. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to accelerate their careers, build strong professional networks, and develop leadership skills that last a lifetime.

Learning Objectives:

Identify strategies to navigate and excel in male-dominated industries.
Explore career pathways and leadership opportunities within different engineering sectors.
Leverage leadership and mentorship to advance careers and support others.