Beyond Stereotypes: Resilience Through Immigrant Experiences in STEM

Saturday, October 25, 2025

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CT

Location: MCCNO 275-277

Moderator(s)

Karen E. Chow

Principcal Product Engineer
Siemens
West Linn, Oregon, United States

Speaker(s)

Munaza Adnan, P.Eng

Solutions Consultant
Siemens
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Tomomi Arita

Sr. Technical Program Manager
Siemens
Portland, Oregon, United States
Mengxi Chen

Software Engineer
Siemens
Beaverton, United States
Ellie Sadatian

Software Engineer
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Wilsonville, Oregon, United States

As female engineers from immigrant backgrounds, we have faced numerous challenges in navigating male-dominated fields and overcoming societal stereotypes. However, our diverse experiences have also equipped us with unique strengths and strategies for building resilience. In this panel, we will share our personal journeys of breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions, and leveraging our immigrant perspectives to thrive in STEM careers. We will discuss how our multicultural upbringings, adaptability, and determination have been key assets in developing resilience - the ability to bounce back from setbacks and persist through adversity. By sharing our stories such as being a hijab-wearing woman in engineering, learning how to be more assertive as a Japanese woman, being “overeducated” as a Chinese woman, and dilemmas choosing between software and electrical engineering, we aim to inspire other female engineers, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, to embrace their unique strengths and forge their own paths to success.

Learning Objectives:

Explore and navigate gender and racial biases in the workplace.
Learn strategies for building confidence and resilience.
Create supportive communities and mentorship networks.