Ep 381: Engineering Your Own Soundtrack With WE26 Keynote Elissa Lee

Elissa Lee, WE26 keynote and executive director of commercial and international military rotorcraft engine programs at GE Aerospace, shares how music has shaped her approach to engineering, creativity, and leadership in this episode. In conversation with FY27 SWE President Kerrie Greenfelder, Elissa shares practical lessons on building confidence, navigating unexpected career opportunities, and finding your authentic leadership style — without being the loudest voice in the room. Hear how a 30-day challenge to speak first transformed her confidence, why spending four years in an unexpected role broadened her STEM career, and how staying true to herself has made her a more effective leader. You'll also get a sneak peek of Elissa's upcoming opening keynote at WE26, the world's largest conference for women and allies in engineering, taking place Nov. 5-7 in Boston. Learn more and join at https://we26.swe.org — The award-winning Diverse podcast from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is now Global Voices in Engineering! With nearly 45,000 members in 90+ countries around the world (and growing), we wanted a new name that perfectly captures what both SWE and the podcast are all about: bringing together engineering stories from around the world, because every engineer has a story. SWE is the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women and allies in engineering and technology. To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit https://membership.swe.org