Historically, women have faced significant barriers to full participation in academic and professional spaces. In fields where they remain underrepresented, navigating leadership requires more than just expertise – it demands owning one's voice, challenging norms, and creating environments where others can thrive. International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8th, honors those who break these barriers while lifting others alongside them.
This year, ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) celebrates three outstanding women leaders: Jenna P. Carpenter, Jessica Silwick, and Janelle Simmonds. In their respective fields of academia, industry, and non-profit organizations, they have each fostered cultures that empower women to lead with confidence, setting examples through intentional leadership and mentorship.
Jenna P. Carpenter, Ph.D., Founding Dean of Engineering at Campbell University In her 10th year as the founding dean of the School of Engineering at Campbell University in the U.S., Dr. Jenna P. Carpenter has spent her career not only shaping the next generation of engineers but also cultivating the culture in which they learn. From the very beginning, she set out to build a program focused on project-based learning, professional development, and service – all grounded in a strong set of values that would guide both students and faculty.
“I recently heard a speaker say that leaders are culture-shapers. When I accepted the role of founding dean, I wanted to create a program where the culture was focused on project-based learning, small classes, professional development, service, and licensure,” Carpenter recalls. “We wanted our values to be real, not just a poster on the wall (though they are displayed on a large poster outside the dean's office!).”
From day one, she and her founding team intentionally wove these values into every aspect of the program. “It starts with orientation, where we introduce students to our values, and we demonstrate them from the get-go,” she explains. “Our first-year seminar delves deeply into our values, and all of our awards – for team projects in the first and fourth years, and individual awards in the second and third years – honor those who embody our values.”
These values, she says, have become the shared language of the community, seen in everything from student interactions to alumni returning for events. “The value of community, for example, is evident in how our student teams collaborate and how upperclassmen mentor incoming students,” Carpenter reflects. “We see it every day in student-faculty/staff interactions, and it’s visible in the informal study groups that form across classes and years. It’s also evident in our alumni who come back for events like the Cardboard Canoe Race, E-Week Mystery Night, and Game Nights – we had more alumni at our fall graduation than graduates!”
Carpenter emphasizes the importance of cultivating a culture where people feel valued and ethics are prioritized. “As a leader, you have a significant impact on shaping that culture, so be intentional. Create a culture that inspires, motivates, and makes your corner of the world a great place to work, learn, and grow.”
Jessica Silwick’s career began in large corporations, where she developed a solid foundation of business expertise. Now, as ABET’s leader in financial strategy and operations, Silwick combines her experience with a passion for creating pathways for women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries. Her work continues to shape initiatives that empower the next generation of leaders.
“During my time at ABET, I’ve proposed and launched several impactful programs,” Silwick shares. “One of my most notable achievements was the relaunch and redesign of the Innovation Award. Recognizing the need to celebrate invention, I proposed revitalizing the award to reflect ABET’s role in fostering innovation alongside quality.”
Silwick’s leadership also played a pivotal role in expanding ABET’s professional programs, focusing on outreach to two-year institutions and virtual learning. “These efforts have greatly broadened the reach and impact of ABET’s educational initiatives,” she says.
Additionally, Silwick and her team worked on developing ABET’s official quality management system, ultimately earning ISO 9001 certification. “This achievement highlighted ABET’s commitment to quality and its dedication to living out its values,” she notes.
Internally, Silwick led the initiative to replace the traditional employee review process with a more collaborative approach, fostering engagement and empowering employees to take ownership of their professional goals. “I also launched ABET Cares, a program that encourages employees to volunteer and give back, mirroring ABET’s volunteerism,” she adds. “This initiative has strengthened our commitment to social responsibility and deepened our employees’ sense of purpose.”
Silwick’s leadership is marked by vision, passion, and an unwavering dedication to education and excellence. “My journey from Fortune 500 companies to ABET has been full of transformative moments that have left a lasting impact on the organization and the communities we serve.”
Janelle Simmonds has built a career bridging academia and industry. As the Global Enablement Lead at Siemens Digital Industries Software, she equips educators and learners with the resources they need to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. Focused on empowering women in STEM, Simmonds mentors and supports the next generation of leaders in various fields.
“Two moments in my career stand out as pivotal in my leadership journey,” Simmonds reflects. “Early in my career, while managing relationships with several universities, I navigated a particularly challenging meeting with a partner. Afterward, my managing director told me she saw how I had grown into that leadership space, and I realized that my skills and experience had allowed me to handle the situation with confidence.”
Similarly, her transition from higher education to the engineering and tech industry presented significant challenges, but also profound growth. “The first year was all about adapting – to a new sector, new company, new role, and new team,” Simmonds recalls. “But one day, in a meeting with a senior executive, I realized that I had moved past the ‘new’ phase and had fully transitioned into the role, bringing my diverse background and experience to the table.”
Simmonds believes that when people – especially women – find the confidence to own their voices, it creates a space where others feel empowered to contribute as well. “By being secure in my leadership and my ability to add value, I’m able to make room for my colleagues to share their perspectives,” she explains. “This not only strengthens our team but also enhances the work we do together.”
These three women exemplify the power of owning your voice, breaking barriers, and shaping a future where more women can confidently lead and thrive in their chosen fields. Their journeys inspire countless others to challenge the status quo and lead with purpose, building inclusive and empowering environments for the next generation of leaders.