Over half a million people serve in elected office at different levels in the United States, and even more serve their communities through appointments to boards, commissions, and more. However, public office remains a rare and enigmatic path for many engineers. This session aims to highlight how engineers can positively impact their communities by serving in public office, including as a “second act” later in their careers.  

In a moderated discussion, participants will hear from a diverse panel of women engineers, including ESAL Founder & Chair Arti Garg, about their journeys to public service and the unique perspective that they bring to these roles. The panel will also discuss ways engineers can advocate for evidence-based policymaking and support civic engagement. Ample time will be dedicated to audience questions. Participants will leave with concrete ideas about how to get involved, regardless of age, location, career stage, or experience.

Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010