Registration is open for NSPECon26 in New York City, New York!
Volunteering at NSPE is a great opportunity to grow your professional network and connect with other leaders in the field.
Decisions at the ballot box influence policies that support engineering standards and public safety.NSPE invites mid-career women professional engineers to join this unique professional development program. The three-day, in-person engagement supports mid-career women professional engineers in confidently navigating their career path and leveraging their leadership skills. This program is designed by the NSPE Women’s Leadership Program Task Force with the goal of empowering female leaders to reach their career goals while leading the way for a more diverse future in our profession.
Empowering Professional Engineer Women Leaders
About the Program
The Women's Leadership Program agenda is interwoven into NSPE's annual conference, NSPECon, with participants attending pre-conference opening sessions and sessions each morning of the conference. Participants attend all NSPECon keynote presentations, meal functions, and afternoon education sessions.
WLP participants must register for NSPECon26 to be held August 5-7, 2026 in New York City, New York. An additional fee of $200.00 is required to attend WLP Sessions. Registration Opens March 2026.
Who Should Attend
The Women's Leadership Program is designed for someone who is in the mid-career stage. Ideally attendees will have experience in leading teams and/or projects but are considering seeking skills and confidence to move to the next level of leadership in the workplace which may be leading departments, divisions, or other opportunities. This program is not designed for entry level professionals.
Earn PDHs
Earn 5 PDHs* for attending the Women's Leadership Program.
*Individuals are responsible for ensuring compliance with state PDH/CPD/CE requirements. Consult your state licensing board for more information. You must attend all sessions.
WLP Welcome & Orientation
WLP Session #1: Defining Your Values and Strengths as a Leader
Women leaders often focus on their areas of weakness or all the ways they need to grow. Therefore, your values and strengths may not be evident until you’re in a job interview or up for promotion and asked to discuss them. This session will guide you in taking a proactive approach to self-reflect and ask tough questions, such as: What matters to me? What is my superpower? What kind of leader am I?
*This session will include pre-conference work.
WLP Session #2: Tooting Your Own Horn: The Art of Self-Promotion
Leading confidently requires you to lean into your gifts and talents. This session will help you define your strengths and clarify your authentic leadership style. Self-understanding is step one, but equally important is learning how to communicate your strengths and accomplishments effectively.
Celebrate NYC & PE Day Opening Reception & Exhibit Showcase
New Professionals Game Night
Breakfast
Opening Keynote Session
Exhibit Showcase & Networking Break
WLP Session #3: Building Meaningful Relationships to Advance Your Career
Networking and relationship-building are requirements for most leadership positions, but developing these skills can feel like trial and error. Additionally, building relationships requires you to be strategic while also being authentic, which can at times feel contradictory. In this session, we’ll discuss expanding your networks within and outside your company, how to deepen relationships without wasting time, and how to leverage existing relationships authentically, all with the goal of advancing your career and achieving your professional goals. We'll also hear from a panel of seasoned women engineers who have success stories to share about how they built a career through meaningful relationships.
Session #4: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Delivering difficult news, sharing constructive feedback, or responding to a frustrated colleague or client can be a source of stress in your workday. Communicating effectively requires preparation and skill, both of which come with practice. In this workshop, we’ll confront the source of our uncomfortable feelings and introduce strategies on how to:
• Better understand your audience
• Center empathy and listening to enhance your efficacy
• Deliver information clearly and concisely
Recognition & Installation Luncheon
Concurrent Education Sessions
Women's Leadership Program Social
Breakfast and Order of Engineer Ceremony
Keynote Session
WLP Session #5: Asking for What You Need: Negotiating with Confidence
Have you ever considered asking for a promotion or more resources for your office, then quickly talked yourself out of it? What held you back? Identifying your most pressing needs and effectively advocating and negotiating can have a lasting impact on achieving your goals and improving your organization’s sustainability. In this session, you’ll reflect on the barriers preventing you from asking for what you need. You’ll create a plan to make your “ask” and learn to negotiate effectively.
WLP Session #6: Wrap Up & Networking
This final session will solidify personal goals for career and leadership development, informed by the previous sessions. You’ll also have time to build a plan to stay connected with other cohort members.
Networking Luncheon
Concurrent Education Sessions
Closing Keynote Session
Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, founder of Pleasantly Aggressive Coaching & Consulting
Through one-on-one coaching, leadership cohorts, and speaking engagements, she helps early and mid-career women leaders gain valuable leadership skills, rediscover their authentic voice, and build the confidence they need to achieve their goals. In her role as a consultant, she works with organizations to eliminate barriers, reduce biases, and create more inclusive spaces for all women. Rebecca combines her background in social research with 20 years of sales, marketing, communications, and school leadership to create an in-depth and engaging experience for her clients. Rebecca also co-hosts the Confidently You: Women in Leadership Podcast.