Mission
To address issues that affect the careers of women scientists and engineers, Berkeley Lab created the Women Scientists & Engineers Council (WSEC). The WSEC and Berkeley Lab’s Human Resources Department work in partnership to determine priorities and develop strategies for recruitment, retention, work life balance, and the empowerment of women scientists and engineers. Subcommittees focus on target areas and to address specific challenges. Key activities include:
Engaging division leaders in recruitment, retention, and development
Improving policies for work-life balance
Empowering women scientists through training and meeting people of influence
The WSEC is different from a traditional ERG because it is made up of members who are both Division-appointed as well as volunteers. There are three subcommittees that meet separately to work on WSEC goals: policy, networking, and empowerment. WSEC members meet quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
Celebrating Women
Building on the DOE’s Women @ Energy: STEM Rising project, the WSEC has held four Women@ The Lab events between 2013 - 2020. Read profiles of our honorees on the Women @ The Lab website.
This year’s Women @ the Lab award ceremony was held virtually. Watch the replay where 15 talented and dedicated employees were honored for their work and achievements, as well as an overview of the Women Scientists and Engineers Council’s accomplishments to date.
The Visible Spectrum series spotlights talented, dedicated women employees at the Lab.
Activities
Monthly networking brown bags and coffee hours
Women@ The Lab event for FY20
Empowerment workshops
Celebrate Women's History Month
2020 Accomplishments
Hosted 8 brown bags showcasing Women@The lab honorees and IDEA topics
Hosted 5 networking coffee hours, including an all ERG coffee hour.
Organized and led monthly meetings of the Bay Area Networking Group.
Started collaboration with HR to study women retention, promotion, and salary data at the lab.
Worked with Organizational Learning & Development staff on incorporating microagression awareness trainings.
Worked with HR and onboarding team to help clarify pregnancy and disability leave information for new employees.
Worked with IDEA office on Covid-19/shelter in place survey and the situations effects on women employees.
Launched 2020 Women@The Lab nomination process.
Collaborated with Strategic Communications on Visible Spectrum interviews of women at the lab.
Participated in National Labs ERG leadership summit at LLNL.
Policy - Chairs: Laurie Stephey, Juliane Reinhardt
Networking - Chairs: Elizabeth Stuart, , Teresa Calarco
Empowerment - Chairs: Rita Kuo, Hang Deng
More information on committee missions, initiatives and accomplishments: WSEC Subcommittees
Chairs
Chair: Ina Reichel
Vice-Chair: Tammara Campbell
Chair Emeritus: Sole Toledano
Secretaries: Lauren Lui and Susan Tsutakawa
Subcommittee Chairs: Elizabeth Stuart, Laurie Stephey, Juliane Reinhardt, Teresa Calarco, Rita Kuo and Hang Deng
Executive Sponsors
Susan Hubbard, Associate Lab Director, Earth & Environmental Sciences Area
Henrik von der Lippe, Engineering Division Director and the Lab’s Chief Engineering Officer
Membership is open to all LBNL employees. We ask that every member join one or more of the subcommittees that carries out the objectives of the WSEC. Subcommittees include: Policy, Networking and Empowerment.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact the WSEC Executive Committee at wsec-excom@lbl.gov.