Dr. Michaelyn L. Thomas (Keynote Speaker) is the Founder of Spaced Out Doc, a consulting company

Rising Together (Keynote)

Dr. Michaelyn L. Thomas is an accomplished and results-driven senior executive leader with nearly 20 years of space industry experience across the private and public sectors. She specializes in space system-of-systems engineering and organizational leadership and development. Throughout her career, she’s led space product development and global growth as a c-suite executive focused on overseeing operations, strategy, and technology scalability. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, and has five degrees in five distinctly different disciplines. Additionally, she is a part-time engineering professor for graduate students.

Dr. Thomas is also a children’s book author and science communicator, and her latest book is entitled, “Pearl the Space Girl: The A to Z Adventure of Exploring Space Careers.” Dr. Thomas created Pearl the Space Girl, a heroine for all kids, especially for underrepresented kids. This children’s book is meant for teachers, parents, legal guardians, caregivers, foster parents, and loved ones alike to read this with the children in their lives to encourage them to pursue these space careers while reaching beyond the stars. She visits K-12 schools and universities around the world with her thoughtfully curated space education instruction in hopes to inspire all kids and adults around the globe

Fernanda Rojas, M.A (She/her/ella) Professional Development Coordinator 

Forging Paths: The Social Legacy of Female Engineering Pioneers

Fernanda serves as the Professional Development Coordinator at the Marlan & Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at UC Riverside. She earned her M.A. in Social Sciences from California State University, San Bernardino, and her B.A. in Legal Studies from UC Santa Cruz. She supports over 17 engineering student organizations, leading initiatives that strengthen leadership, professional growth, and community engagement. She established the Student Professional Organization Center, a dedicated space for student collaboration, studying, and events, and launched the annual student awards ceremony recognizing excellence in research, leadership, and community impact. In recognition of her contributions to advancing women in technology and higher education, she was honored as a UC Women Rock IT awardee in 2022. Fernanda is passionate about creating inclusive environments that empower students to thrive academically and professionally.

Areeba Rizvi, Electrical Engineering Consultant, Discovery Cube Science Museum

The Elephant in the Office: Addressing Barriers for Female Solidarity

Areeba is an electrical engineering consultant at the Discovery Cube Science Museum and a second-year engineering student. For Areeba, engineering is a remarkable tool and outlet for creation, one whose end goal needs to consider impacts on the planet and communities. Through her work, she inspires young girls to pursue engineering and examines overlooked conversations surrounding intersectionality. Areeba’s work pushes for more efficient systems while considering how engineering problems align with inclusivity and broaden the framework of moral consideration.

Ondine Beaufils, Senior Engineering Manager

Setting and Achieving Goals for Growth

Ondine Beaufils is French and grew up in Singapore. She earns a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Engineering in Control systems and a Master in Aerospace engineering, all from the French engineering school Centrale Supelec. She also has an MBA in business management  from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. She has been working in the aerospace industry for 11 years, in varying roles within engineering project management and people management. She is currently a senior engineering manager at Safran Electronics and Defense, overseeing the work of systems and project engineers, developing pilot controls.

She is passionate about making engineering and especially leadership positions accessible and attractive to women, who are underrepresented in these roles. Outside of work, you can find her in the water: She is a swimmer and kitesurfer.

Dr. Ivy Kwok, M.S, PhD

HOLD THE FLOOR! Navigating Interruptions with Authority

Dr. Ivy Kwok is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she also earned her PhD in Environmental Engineering, as well as M.S. in Civil Engineering and B.S. in Molecular, Cell, & Developmental Biology. She is a first-generation college student with a passion for community, mentorship, public transit advocacy, and all things interdisciplinary. She currently serves as the President of the SWE Los Angeles Section, and she was one of the inaugural Co-Leads of the SWE First-Generation Students & Professionals Affinity Group. Outside of the lab / classroom, you can often find her on board a bus or train – she loves going on food adventures with loved ones, pogo-sticking, attending her favorite dance cardio workout, and staying active in the sustainability community!

Dr. Tracy Nguyen, O.D

HOLD THE FLOOR! Navigating Interruptions with Authority

Dr. Tracy Nguyen serves as President of SWE San Diego and a fierce diversity champion, turning her commitment to inclusion into building community and creating opportunities for underrepresented students in engineering and technology. What began as a desire to support her daughter’s engineering aspirations grew into a deep commitment to the Society of Women Engineers’ mission. Though a practicing optometrist by profession, Dr. Nguyen found her true calling in mentorship, guiding students through FIRST Robotics, SWENext Clubs, and Girl Scouts, and equipping young women with the confidence and support they need to thrive.

Her impact has earned her the 2025 NCWIT AiC National Educator Award, the WE23 Sparks Award, and WE24/WE25 DEI&B Individual Recognition, honors that reflect not just her achievements, but the lives she has changed along the way. When she is not mentoring the next generation, Dr. Nguyen can be found exploring new destinations or on the pickleball court. Her greatest legacy, however, remains the futures she helps shape, one empowered young woman at a time.