ºÚÁÏÍø

Topic: Learn how to create an authentic 30-60 second elevator pitch that helps you feel confident and natural. We'll break down the process into simple steps and practice in a supportive environment—so you are ready to introduce yourself at career fairs, networking events, and interviews.

Dorothy Benveniste, Retired, Boeing (Lead)

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Dorothy Benveniste, recently retired Project Engineer. Ideas on how to give back, to support young women engineers, have been percolating and are now ready for action. Giving back – to students of the ºÚÁÏÍø BESST Program, to 8^th graders at Prairie Vista Middle School in Hawthorne – and most importantly by forming 100+ Women Strong here at The Beach.

I’ll pull the curtain back for a glimpse into my long engineering education journey and the mentors who helped along the way. The first step on my journey to an engineering career began when a fellow worker took an interest in me. And encouraged me. I met her engineer friend, who also pushed, prodded, and cajoled me to grow. To see more. To be more. To do more.

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Topic: Who you know can be as important as what you know to a successful career. We will provide tips for building a professional network.

Rosario Diaz (Lead)

(need headshot and bio)

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Topic: What Makes You an Engineer? Your authentic engineering identity plays a vital role in your future work and career.  Explore how to develop your engineering identity, while maintaining your authentic self.

Dana Cabbell, Director of Transmission System Planning & Strategy, Southern California Edison (Lead)

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Dana Cabbell, P.E has worked for Southern California Edison (SCE) for 40 years in the areas of transmission, subtransmission, and distribution long-term planning. 

     Presently, Dana is the Director of the Transmission System Planning & Strategy (TSP&S) in the Asset Strategy & Planning (ASP) organization.  She is responsible for translating electric system regulatory policies and SCE’s long-term Pathway 2045 vision into transmission and subtransmission strategic project-development plans. TSP&S accomplishes this via the development of long- term scenario analyses to perform 10+ year system assessments to determine system capabilities, needs, and grid architectures in support of clean grid strategies.

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Topic: So, you’ve landed your first internship or job, now what?  There will be plenty to experience while you navigate your new situation; people to meet, processes to learn, and an organization to sort out. However, never lose sight of the larger picture, your career trajectory.  You must keep current with market trends, industry drivers and most importantly, your goals.   We will discuss what and how to position yourself for continued growth to help ensure you move forward along your career journey and ultimately unlock your true potential.

Gale Swartz - LA County Commissioner, Community Action Board (Lead)

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Bio: 

Topic: Internships are a game-changer for college students—they turn classroom learning into real-world action! By stepping into a professional setting, students gain hands-on experience, sharpen valuable skills, and make powerful connections that can open doors long after graduation. Learn how to discover passions, build confidence, and jump-start a successful career path.

Jennifer Didlo, President, Retired, AES Southland (Lead)

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Jennifer Didlo’s appointment in 2015 as Market Business Leader for the Western Portion of the United States for AES in addition to her responsibilities as President of AES Southland and AES Hawaii is a culmination of more than 25 years of leadership experience in power generation, including 20 years in California, Hawaii and Texas.  AES’s Western portfolio includes more than 3,900 MW of natural gas fired and 180 MW of coal generation, 125 MW of wind generation and 40 MWhr of Battery Energy Storage.
Prior to working at AES, Ms. Didlo held Plant Manager, supervisory and engineering positions at Southern California Edison across multiple locations.  She was an integral member of the SCE divestiture team during California’s electrical deregulation.
She holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California State University at Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo.   As well, she is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California.  Recently, Ms. Didlo has retired from her corporate role and now enjoys spending time with her husband and their teenage son and helping to promote women in energy and engineering through her involvement with both ºÚÁÏÍø and The Hawthorn Club.

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Topic : Healthy work-life balance is how you consciously managing your time and energy to meet both professional and personal commitments while prioritizing self-care and well-being. Learn key ways to find the correct balance in your life.

Neveen Farag, Hardware Engineer Manager, NGC, Mission Systems,Inc (Lead)

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Neveen Farag has been working with Northrop Grumman since 2018, her current role is HardwareEngineering Manager at Northrop Grumman Mission system, leading a department of 20 engineers of whom are electrical component and design layout engineers. Prior to her current role, she was part of the Electrical Engineering Department as Electrical components Engineer/ DMSMS lead atNorthrop Defense systems.She has been always an active member of (Society of Women Engineering) SWE. Currently she is the Northrop Grumman WomenInternational Network (NGWIN) Enterprise Chair. She has been awarded many times for her work with NGWIN and SWE.She has received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Northridge in California, and MBA fromBayPath University in Massachusetts. Neveen has been married to a great husband for 8 and half years and has a 7-year-old boy Adam. Her current hobby is running around with Adam.

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