People
FY22 (July 2021 - June 2022) Executive Board
President: Raquel Reif
VP 1 - Professional Development: Michele Dodez
VP 2 - Collegiates: Erin Westerby
VP 3 - Outreach: Heidi Balestrieri
Secretary 1 - Recording: Kyela Specht
Secretary 2 - Society Liaison: Andie Falasco
Recording Secretary: Kyela Specht
Treasurer: Katie Ebelt
President: Raquel Reif
VP 1 - Professional Development: Michele Dodez
VP 2 - Collegiates: Erin Westerby
VP 3 - Outreach: Heidi Balestrieri
Secretary 1 - Recording: Kyela Specht
Secretary 2 - Society Liaison: Andie Falasco
Recording Secretary: Kyela Specht
Treasurer: Katie Ebelt
Section President: Raquel Reif
Raquel Reif received her bachelor and master’s in industrial engineering at Universidad Publica Navarra UPNA and then received her MBA at Lakeland University. She became involved in SWE when she studied a year as an international student at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and has been a member of SWE-WI for the last 3 years. Most recently Raquel held the Professional Development Chair for the majority of FY21.
This year Raquel is excited about to continuing to grow the SWE-WI section and having the members become more involved and excited about the events planned for the year! Additionally, she is looking forward to continuing to be an engineering role model for young girls.
Raquel currently works for Kohler as their Business Development Manager Operations. She is originally from Spain and has four young kids. Raquel has traveled many locations, but she spent a year working on a project in Indonesia and Jakarta is one of her favorite places! Berlin and her hometown of Pamplona are top places as well, and in Wisconsin, she loves Door County!
Raquel Reif received her bachelor and master’s in industrial engineering at Universidad Publica Navarra UPNA and then received her MBA at Lakeland University. She became involved in SWE when she studied a year as an international student at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and has been a member of SWE-WI for the last 3 years. Most recently Raquel held the Professional Development Chair for the majority of FY21.
This year Raquel is excited about to continuing to grow the SWE-WI section and having the members become more involved and excited about the events planned for the year! Additionally, she is looking forward to continuing to be an engineering role model for young girls.
Raquel currently works for Kohler as their Business Development Manager Operations. She is originally from Spain and has four young kids. Raquel has traveled many locations, but she spent a year working on a project in Indonesia and Jakarta is one of her favorite places! Berlin and her hometown of Pamplona are top places as well, and in Wisconsin, she loves Door County!
VP 1 - Professional Development: Michele Dodez
Michele Dodez studied biomedical engineering for both her bachelor and master’s degree at Marquette University. She has been involved in the Society of Woman Engineers for the past 16 years. Michele has held a variety of positions in both her professional and collegiate sections over the years including, Newsletter Editor for 5 years, UW-Stevens Point Counselor for 2 years, Student Council Representative and Fundraising Chair. She’s been an active SWE-WI member for the last 5 years.
This year Michele is looking forward to SWE-WI’s annual Ornament Exchange in December to see all the creative and cool ornaments!
Michele is currently a Validation Engineer at Pfizer Inc. and she has a 130-lb newfy dog and her shadow is a 12-lb long haired cat! Her favorite travel spot so far has been Big St. Germain Lake.
Michele Dodez studied biomedical engineering for both her bachelor and master’s degree at Marquette University. She has been involved in the Society of Woman Engineers for the past 16 years. Michele has held a variety of positions in both her professional and collegiate sections over the years including, Newsletter Editor for 5 years, UW-Stevens Point Counselor for 2 years, Student Council Representative and Fundraising Chair. She’s been an active SWE-WI member for the last 5 years.
This year Michele is looking forward to SWE-WI’s annual Ornament Exchange in December to see all the creative and cool ornaments!
Michele is currently a Validation Engineer at Pfizer Inc. and she has a 130-lb newfy dog and her shadow is a 12-lb long haired cat! Her favorite travel spot so far has been Big St. Germain Lake.
VP 2 - Collegiates: Erin Westerby
Erin Westerby studied civil engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She’s been a SWE member for 12 years now and held various positions with the Bradley section including President in FY13. In addition, Erin was the Collegiate Representative in FY14 and Professional Section Representative for Western Michigan in FY16. This is her second year with SWE-WI.
In FY22, Erin is looking forward to meeting and getting to know SWE-WI section members more since she is new to the area.
Erin currently works for Eaton -South Milwaukee. Most people don’t know, but Erin pole vaulted in high school! She loved visiting Luxembourg during a work layover where she ended up having a day to spend site seeing. Erin loved the combination of different cultures and history.
Erin Westerby studied civil engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She’s been a SWE member for 12 years now and held various positions with the Bradley section including President in FY13. In addition, Erin was the Collegiate Representative in FY14 and Professional Section Representative for Western Michigan in FY16. This is her second year with SWE-WI.
In FY22, Erin is looking forward to meeting and getting to know SWE-WI section members more since she is new to the area.
Erin currently works for Eaton -South Milwaukee. Most people don’t know, but Erin pole vaulted in high school! She loved visiting Luxembourg during a work layover where she ended up having a day to spend site seeing. Erin loved the combination of different cultures and history.
VP 3 - Outreach: Heidi Balestrieri
Heidi Balestrieri studied mechanical engineering at North Dakota State University. She is celebrating her 24th year as a SWE member, 14 of those years with SWE-WI! Heidi has not only been an active member but has also held a variety of positions throughout the years, including Vice President, HOI SWE President, Section Representative, and Membership Officer.
This year Heidi is looking forward to attending WELocal in Des Moines, IA in the spring!
Heidi is currently working for Sentry Equipment and in 2020 she got a convertible and learned how to drive a manual transmission car! Her favorite travel spot she’s been to so far is Bruges, Belgium.
Heidi Balestrieri studied mechanical engineering at North Dakota State University. She is celebrating her 24th year as a SWE member, 14 of those years with SWE-WI! Heidi has not only been an active member but has also held a variety of positions throughout the years, including Vice President, HOI SWE President, Section Representative, and Membership Officer.
This year Heidi is looking forward to attending WELocal in Des Moines, IA in the spring!
Heidi is currently working for Sentry Equipment and in 2020 she got a convertible and learned how to drive a manual transmission car! Her favorite travel spot she’s been to so far is Bruges, Belgium.
Secretary 1 - Recording: Kyela Specht
Kyela Specht studied civil engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She became involved with the SWE in college and has continued her involvement since. Kyela has not only been an active member, but has also held a variety of positions including, SWE Secretary at Bradley and Google Coordinator for the SWE-WI section. This is her second year in the Secretary Recording position for SWE-WI.
This year Kyela is looking forward to working with the executive board and the SWE Wisconsin members to keep communication open through all channels. She’s also looking forward to seeing all of the members in-person at events!
Kyela is currently a Municipal Civil Engineer at Strand Associates, Inc. She ran cross county and track at Bradley and ran the Chicago Marathon in 2016. Kyela enjoyed visiting Paris and Munich and hopes to be able to travel back there soon!
Kyela Specht studied civil engineering at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She became involved with the SWE in college and has continued her involvement since. Kyela has not only been an active member, but has also held a variety of positions including, SWE Secretary at Bradley and Google Coordinator for the SWE-WI section. This is her second year in the Secretary Recording position for SWE-WI.
This year Kyela is looking forward to working with the executive board and the SWE Wisconsin members to keep communication open through all channels. She’s also looking forward to seeing all of the members in-person at events!
Kyela is currently a Municipal Civil Engineer at Strand Associates, Inc. She ran cross county and track at Bradley and ran the Chicago Marathon in 2016. Kyela enjoyed visiting Paris and Munich and hopes to be able to travel back there soon!
Secretary 2 - Society Liason: Andie Falasco
Andie Falasco studied mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech University and then continued her education receiving her master’s in engineering management from Milwaukee School of Engineering. She has been involved in the Society of Woman Engineers since beginning college in 2008 and has been with SWE-WI since 2013. Andie has held a variety of positions in the Wisconsin chapter including the VP of Collegiates, President, and Executive VP as well as organized social events in the Fox Cities area.
This year Andie is looking forward to getting back to in-person events and continuing to meet new people throughout the Section.
Andie is currently working at Kimberly Clark and her enjoys making all kinds of visual art. She is currently working on knitting a sweater for her son and a t-shirt quilt. Andie’s favorite travel spot has been either England or Japan – she enjoys traveling as much as she can!
Andie Falasco studied mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech University and then continued her education receiving her master’s in engineering management from Milwaukee School of Engineering. She has been involved in the Society of Woman Engineers since beginning college in 2008 and has been with SWE-WI since 2013. Andie has held a variety of positions in the Wisconsin chapter including the VP of Collegiates, President, and Executive VP as well as organized social events in the Fox Cities area.
This year Andie is looking forward to getting back to in-person events and continuing to meet new people throughout the Section.
Andie is currently working at Kimberly Clark and her enjoys making all kinds of visual art. She is currently working on knitting a sweater for her son and a t-shirt quilt. Andie’s favorite travel spot has been either England or Japan – she enjoys traveling as much as she can!
Treasurer: Katie Ebelt
Katie Ebelt studied paper science engineering and chemical engineering from UW-Stevens Point. Her involvement in SWE started at UW-SP when she helped start the collegiate section. While at UW-SP, she was the Vice President and President. Katie has be a member of SWE-WI since 2017 and being the treasurer is her first position.
In FY22, Katie is looking forward to making more connections throughout the Section and partaking in outreach events.
Kate works for Kimberly Clark as a process engineer. Ain her free time, she is an avid rocks and mineral collector and loved visiting Germany on vacation!
Katie Ebelt studied paper science engineering and chemical engineering from UW-Stevens Point. Her involvement in SWE started at UW-SP when she helped start the collegiate section. While at UW-SP, she was the Vice President and President. Katie has be a member of SWE-WI since 2017 and being the treasurer is her first position.
In FY22, Katie is looking forward to making more connections throughout the Section and partaking in outreach events.
Kate works for Kimberly Clark as a process engineer. Ain her free time, she is an avid rocks and mineral collector and loved visiting Germany on vacation!
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