Celebrating 100 Years of Women - Women Leading in Science and Engineering - Webinar Series
Friday, October 22, 2021
12-1:30 PM ET

The registration for this event has closed. Thank you for your interest. Please contact Katie Lafon at klafon@vt.edu for more information regarding future events.

Speaker: Jamie Helmer, Director of Fuel Efficiency at Norfolk Southern

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of women at Virginia Tech! In this series, we will explore women leaders in the science and engineering fields.

Teamwork is key to achieving project goals.  Valuing diversity, establishing practices of equity, and fostering an inclusive environment are foundations for a team’s success. Together a group of professionals bring different skillsets and experiences to a problem and find synergy to solve the problem.  As a team member and team leader, you must be open to others’ ideas and thoughts to come to the best solution. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, having a voice and offering differing opinions can sometimes be a greater challenge.  Jamie Helmer of Norfolk Southern will share about her own career and how she has approached this challenge as an opportunity throughout her career. 

Jamie Helmer serves as Director of Fuel Efficiency for Norfolk Southern.  In her 26-year career with Norfolk Southern, she has worked in or with almost every department, from manager of process improvements to overseeing a locomotive shop and working on information technology projects.  As the inaugural Director of Fuel Efficiency, she must work across departments and functions that connect to rules and policies, numerous technologies, and other elements.  Educating colleagues, working hard, bringing people together, and building trust is vital – and those approaches are also how she has conquered her career in a strongly male dominated industry.  Jamie holds a B.S in Computer Engineering and M.I.T. degree from Virginia Tech.

Following Jamie’s presentation, participants will have the opportunity to network with other alumni and students in smaller breakout rooms.

There is no charge for attendance; however, we have provided an option to make a gift at check-out for those who would like to contribute. All gifts will benefit the College of Science Annual Fund and College of Engineering Annual Fund to support women in leadership fields.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact Katie Lafon at 540-231-8706 or klafon@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.