By: Kellie Huff
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium, and it was nothing short of inspiring. Being in a room filled with over 200 amazing women in our industry was a powerful reminder of the strength we possess when we come together. As a member of the steering committee, I felt a deep sense of gratitude to be part of such a significant moment in our industry’s history.
A Memorable Opening
The symposium kicked off with an electrifying opening keynote by Erin McConahey, titled "Ignite Your Leadership: Engineering a Sustainable Future." Erin challenged us to harness our strengths as engineers and leaders to tackle the pressing issue of climate change. Her message resonated deeply with me, setting an inspiring tone for the days to come.
Photo Credit: Rob McManamy with HPAC Engineering (Occupy Earth)
Engaging Sessions
One of the sessions I particularly enjoyed was Session 4, "Leading with Empathy and By Priority," which I chaired alongside presenters Nancy Kohout and Madison Schultz. They explored the essential skills of empathy and effective communication in leadership. The discussions around how to prioritize tasks and delegate effectively were incredibly valuable, and it was uplifting to share insights with other women leaders.
Another standout for me was Session 8, "Managing…by the Numbers…even if you don’t like Numbers," chaired by Tiffany Abruzzo with Ruth King. They simplified the process of managing performance through KPIs and financial metrics, making it approachable for those of us who might shy away from numbers. This session reminded me of the importance of being able to communicate expectations clearly to our teams.
Evening Activities and Connections
As the first day wrapped up, we enjoyed a wonderful welcome reception that fostered connections and camaraderie. It was such a joy to engage with so many talented women and hear their stories. The evening concluded with an architectural boat tour along Chicago's stunning skyline, where we bonded over our shared experiences in the HVAC industry. The views were breathtaking, and it was a perfect way to celebrate our community.
Day Two Highlights
Friday began with another empowering keynote, "Leadership Dualities: Guiding Professionals and Volunteers in Engineering Environments," presented by Ginger Scoggins. Ginger’s unique perspective on balancing leadership roles in both corporate and volunteer settings provided us with actionable insights on how to lead effectively in diverse environments.
During lunch, we celebrated the YES Awards, recognizing outstanding female students. It was a proud moment for all of us, highlighting our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in our field.
The lunch panel, featuring successful female leaders including Catherine Tojoga, Sandra Henry, Nancy Simoneau, and Allison Graves, shared their journeys and experiences that have led them to their current positions. Their stories of perseverance and success inspired all of us to continue pushing boundaries and pursuing our goals.
Session 9, "Next Gen HVAC: The Impact of Young Engineers in ASHRAE," was particularly captivating, chaired by Filza H. Walters, showcasing emerging leaders, and judged by Christina Lail, Erin McConahey, Janice Means, Ginger Scoggins, Catherine Tinkler, and Erato Vasileiou. This session featured innovative strategies to boost female representation in the A/E/C industry through engaging Pecha-Kucha/TEDx-style presentations. The structure of the session included a live judging component, where finalists presented their ideas and were evaluated in real-time, creating an atmosphere of excitement and competition. The energy in the room was electric as they shared their vision for the future and challenged us all to support one another in pursuing our goals.
A Shared Commitment to Change
I was especially proud to see such a strong turnout from Region X members, including students! Your presence exemplified our commitment to supporting one another and advancing our industry.
As we look toward the future, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the ASHRAE staff for allowing us to follow our dreams and plan this event. I am hopeful that this will be the first of many gatherings, and I truly hope to see even more faces in the crowd next time.
Let’s continue to uplift one another and drive change within our industry.
Here’s to the future of women in HVAC!
-Kellie