An independent jury consisting of members of the WomenPower Congress Advisory Board nominated three women for the Engineer Powerwoman career award, which is endowed with 5,000 euros and encourages companies to recognize the performance and special commitment of their female employees in STEM professions. The winner will be announced at the Hannover Messe Digital Days on July 14.
The nominees are Sophie Borgne, Dr. Katharina Helten and Claudia Kessler.
Borgne is a senior vice president at Schneider Electric, where she heads the digital facilities division and develops high-tech solutions for factory automation. Her team works on areas such as IIoT, augmented reality and cybersecurity. She is an ambassador in the Schneider Women in Tech network, which aims to break through gender stereotypes and to inspire young girls for a career in technology. Her motto is, "Do not set limits and do what you want to do."
Helten holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering. As an expert in the field of mechatronic product development with a focus on electromobility, she sets the course for new product generations at Vitesco Technologies Germany. Helten is the head of pre-development of all mechanical components with a focus on electric motors for electric vehicles. In this position, she leads a worldwide team of engineers and technical experts. She has volunteered as a mentor for women in STEM areas for more than 15 years.
Kessler earned a degree in mechanical engineering as well as a graduate degree in aerospace engineering. Until 2018, she was CEO of an aerospace service provider, where she started campaigning for equal rights for women. She started the company Astronautin (female astronaut) and the foundation "Erste deutsche Astronautin" (first German female astronaut) to eliminate anxieties that women might have concerning STEM areas. Special workshops were developed for this. Astronautin offers commercial space missions, from astronaut selection, space events and individual astronaut training to parabolic flights.
