Stephanie Slocum is the Founder and CEO of Engineers Rising LLC. With over 15 years of experience as an engineer, she is also the author of the book “She Engineers.” Stephanie’s extensive background in engineering has given her unique insights into the challenges faced by women in the field.
Having personally experienced what it’s like to be the only woman in a room dominated by men, Stephanie understands the pressures that women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) face. This includes the need to maintain a tough exterior, the difficulty of being one’s authentic self, and the silent struggle with motivation and burnout while leading a team.
Stephanie’s work is deeply rooted in addressing the issue of poor retention rates for women in STEM, particularly in engineering. She notes that 40% of women with engineering degrees ultimately leave the field, and a staggering 1 in 4 women (compared to 1 in 10 men) exit after reaching the age of 30. These statistics have remained relatively unchanged over the past two decades, highlighting the need for advocacy and change in the STEM industry. Stephanie is dedicated to addressing these challenges and fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in engineering and STEM as a whole.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Can you share a brief overview of your journey, highlighting your key roles and experiences?
I am an engineer by training and background. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s in architectural engineering and designed commercial building structures for 15 years. I worked my way up, starting as an “Engineer-In-Training” and eventually becoming a licensed Professional Engineer, then a project manager, and eventually evolving into a high-level client-facing role. More importantly, I learned how to navigate the complexities of multi-disciplinary large team projects where team members – some technical and some not – had very different levels of knowledge, backgrounds, and even competing agendas in my work with architects, contractors, other consultants, and building owners and stakeholders.
My interest shifted from technical work to the human aspects of the industry. As a woman engineer, I recognized pervasive gender challenges and the importance of communication and leadership skills in addressing them, particularly in the context of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives in the United States.
In 2018, I authored “She Engineers” to help other engineering women successfully navigate their own careers by sharing the lessons I’d learned the hard way. Six months after its publication, I left my engineering job to establish Engineers Rising LLC, a decision I deliberated over due to my aversion to risk. Looking back, my only regret is not making this leap sooner.
As the Founder & CEO of Engineers Rising LLC, what is your vision for the firm’s growth and success?
My primary vision for Engineers Rising LLC is to become the professional development go-to for emerging and current women STEM leaders seeking support and for organizations aiming to retain and promote women within their ranks.
We provide the support emerging and current women leaders need to lead themselves, their teams, and their firms while staying true to themselves (i.e., having a life, not simply mimicking male leadership styles while happening to be in a female body). We do that through group leadership training and leadership coaching on topics including self-leadership, business communication, managing emotions, and self-advocacy.
How do you lead and inspire your team to align with the firm’s goals and deliver exceptional client services?
At the heart of my leadership ethos is hiring and working with the right people; values alignment and a growth-oriented mindset are paramount for me. For example, during an interview for internal hiring, we don’t even talk about the specific role functions until after we discuss my company’s vision and what role a potential new team member sees themselves playing in contributing to that vision. Similarly, a two-way “interview” happens before we bring on any new clients to make sure we are aligned in our thinking from a purpose and “painting success” standpoint; this thoughtful vetting process allows both myself and the team to show up and be excited to work, because the people we are working with are inspiring and growth-driven, even when faced with challenges.
What sets Engineers Rising LLC apart from your competitors?
First, our commitment to gender equity in STEM. For example, there are lots of firms offering one-size-fits-all leadership training (I’ve taken some of those), but most never even acknowledge the fact that a man and woman leader (and esp. a woman of color) can lead using the same methods with very different results. Studies show that women often receive backlash that men will not for the same leadership behaviors.
Second, our data-driven approach. We approach communication and leadership from an analytical standpoint, backed by the latest neuroscience and organizational psychology research.
Finally, we have adopted the attitude of “we don’t care what we call the change as long as we see it happen.” This allows us to meet people where they are, instead of where many companies in JEDI/gender equity *think* people should be (which leads to shame, blame, and no change).
How do you approach business development to expand the firm’s client base and reach new markets?
The funny thing is that I never think about our “business development strategy” in those terms. Instead, I am CONSTANTLY thinking about “How can connect with more emerging and current women leaders and support them to become industry and business rockstars?” Our approach has two primary pillars: 1) fostering genuine connections and 2)gathering and disseminating data. We approach our growth through a lens of service. In other words, my philosophy on BD is that if we make genuine connections, create community with others (i.e., act as a connector), and provide transformative services, the rest will take care of itself.
How do you believe community involvement enhances your firm’s reputation and impact?
Involvement in women in the STEM community is crucial, especially because many women don’t have a lot of other women on their teams or in leadership roles to help gain valuable perspective and career help. Focusing 100% on impact, given the resources available by default, enhances the firm’s reputation.
What are some key challenges you have faced in leading the firm, and how did you address them?
One of my biggest challenges when starting the business was my limited background in sales and marketing. Engineer training rarely includes sales and marketing, so I’ve filled that gap by heavily investing in learning those skills, getting training from experts, and continuing ongoing business coaching.
Another challenge was my engineering mindset, which often gravitated towards perfection and “I can do everything myself.” This initially made me roll out new pilot programs too slowly, resulting in a cash-flow crunch. Over time, I’ve learned to view finding product-market fit as more of an experiment to gauge market resonance rather than awaiting the ‘perfect’ product or service.
How do you plan to position the firm to adapt to changes and continue delivering exceptional services?
Adaptation and consistent growth are at the strategic core. My ears are always to the ground, gauging new market opportunities and listening to discussions of challenges. I often schedule collaboration and networking calls with interesting people in STEM and the business community.
The essence of our adaptation and commitment to stellar service is simple: understanding and anticipating our client’s needs and wants and genuinely wanting them to succeed and change the narrative of leadership in STEM so they can make an impact in their fields.
Looking ahead, what are your fundamental aspirations and strategic goals for Engineers Rising LLC in the next few years?
Our foremost aspiration for Engineers Rising LLC is to double our impact and empower 10,000 technical women through our training and programs in the next two years. This ambitious target underscores our dedication to fostering positive change and gender equity within the STEM community. To achieve this, our strategic focus will be on:
- Amplifying the voices of our clients
- More public speaking and events
- Implementing scalable systems
Our vision for the upcoming years is to dramatically expand our reach, ensuring more women in STEM benefit from our resources and support. “More impact” guides every strategic decision, pushing us ever closer to a day when woman STEM leaders are normalized.
Please visit: https://www.engineersrising.com/
