Shay Hoelscher
This past week, I had the incredible honor of joining a panel hosted by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at the Colorado School of Mines—an event that left me inspired, humbled, and deeply grateful. What made this experience even more special was being invited by the remarkable Sabré Cook, whose dedication to empowering women in engineering and motorsport is nothing short of inspiring.
As I stood in front of a room full of bright, passionate, and driven young women, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey—both the winding paths I didn’t expect and the pivotal moments that shaped my career and leadership approach.
Coming Full Circle
Sharing the stage with Sabré and other incredible women reminded me just how far we've come—and how far we still have to go. I saw myself in so many of those students: curious, ambitious, and sometimes unsure of what the future holds. I remembered the pressure of being “the only” in the room, the self-doubt, the quiet resilience, and the deep-rooted desire to not just succeed, but to lead with integrity.
It felt like coming full circle. From once being mentored to now mentoring the next generation—this was more than just a speaking engagement. It was a personal mission.
Career Lessons I Carried into the Room
When I shared my career story, I didn’t sugarcoat the hard parts. I spoke honestly about the setbacks that taught me grit, the mentors who challenged me to rise higher, and the moments where I had to lead not because I was ready—but because others needed me to.
A few themes stood out:
- Authenticity Wins – In a world that often rewards conformity, staying true to yourself can be your greatest asset. Authentic leadership builds trust, especially in fields where women are still underrepresented.
- Resilience is a Skill – It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about building the muscle to bounce back stronger each time. I shared how some of my biggest professional growth came from the moments that tested me most.
- Lift as You Climb – We rise by lifting others. I talked about the importance of creating space for other women and underrepresented voices in technical fields.
A Hopeful Glimpse into the Future
What struck me most was the sheer brilliance and potential in that room. These young women weren’t just listening—they were engaging. Their questions reflected a hunger to not only enter the workforce but to shape it, challenge it, and evolve it.
And that gives me hope.
The future of engineering, leadership, and innovation is bright because it's inclusive. And if we continue showing up for each other—like Sabré did for me by extending this invitation—we’ll leave a legacy far beyond what we can see today.
Gratitude
To Sabré —thank you. For your leadership, for bringing me into this powerful space, and for always pushing boundaries. And to the students at the Colorado School of Mines: you reminded me why I do what I do. Your energy is contagious, and your future is limitless.
I walked into that room hoping to inspire. I walked out deeply inspired myself.
Here’s to building, dreaming, and leading—together.
#WomenInEngineering #LeadershipJourney #SWE #ColoradoSchoolOfMines #SabreCook #STEMLeadership #MentorshipMatters #AuthenticLeadership
CBS News stopped by to cover the event — see the full story here.
