Women's History Month is a time to recognize the women advancing chemical engineering through research, leadership, and impact. AIChE's Women in Chemical Engineering Community (WIC) helps create the connections and support that make those contributions visible.
In this interview, WIC Chair Dr. Lisa Volpatti of Northwestern University and Vice Chair Hannah Zierden of the University of Maryland reflect on WIC's role within AIChE, the vision they're working toward for the community, and how WIC initiatives have impacted members.
From your perspective as WIC leaders, why is it important to have a dedicated community like WIC within AIChE?
Lisa: The AIChE Women in Chemical Engineering Community helps create the connections, mentorship, and visibility that allow people to fully engage in the profession. Communities like WIC bring together students, researchers, and industry leaders who might not otherwise interact, creating opportunities to share experiences and support one another across career stages.
Just as important, WIC highlights the scientific and leadership contributions of women in chemical engineering. When early-career engineers see women leading research programs, building companies, and shaping the direction of the field, it expands what they imagine is possible. Through that lens, WIC strengthens the entire American Institute of Chemical Engineers community.
Hannah: WIC also provides recognition and validation for women in chemical engineering. It's incredibly helpful to hear from other women — both peers and mentors — about shared experiences navigating life and career challenges.
WIC events, especially the annual WIC breakfast, always leave me feeling empowered as a woman in chemical engineering. Being in a room full of people who support one another and celebrate the accomplishments of women in the field is a powerful reminder that we're part of a larger community.
As Chair and Vice Chair, what vision are you working toward for WIC, and how do you hope the community continues to evolve to support women at every stage of their careers?
Lisa: Our vision is for WIC to serve as a welcoming professional community that brings people together around shared interests in mentorship, leadership, and career development. While WIC highlights the experiences and contributions of women in chemical engineering, the community is open to anyone who supports these goals and wants to help strengthen the profession.
Looking ahead, we hope WIC continues to grow as a space where students, academics, and industry professionals across AIChE can connect, exchange perspectives, and support one another throughout their careers. By building strong networks and encouraging collaboration across the field, WIC can help cultivate the next generation of leaders in chemical engineering.
Hannah: I'm excited to continue my involvement with WIC as the Vice Chair! I want to expand our community engagement through webinars and member highlights throughout the year. I hope our numbers continue to grow to include more women across all career stages—from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to early career investigators, established investigators, and industry professionals.
Through initiatives like the WIC Is You campaign and Spring Meeting programming, what impact have you seen WIC have on members, and what moments stand out to you most?
Lisa: One moment that stands out is the dependent care support initiative led by Caroline Szczepanski. The program provided financial assistance to help cover dependent care costs, ensuring that all members of the AIChE community have the opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting.
It's a powerful example of how relatively small structural changes can create meaningful impact. By helping more people attend meetings, present their work, and engage with colleagues, initiatives like this make our professional community accessible to a broader range of engineers.
Hannah: I'm particularly proud of the WIC Is You campaign! I launched it in 2024 when I was serving as WIC's Communications Chair. It's been great to see the submissions and posts roll in. I especially love seeing nominations that highlight the incredible mentors in our community.
Nominate an outstanding woman ChemE.
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View more stories in the series AIChE Observes Women’s History Month.
