SWE PNW 70th Anniversary Annual Banquet 2026

🎉 We're commemorating the section's 70th Anniversary since our founding in May 1955. SWE PNW is one of the oldest and largest professional sections in SWE with a rich legacy of empowering women locally through programming, scholarships, and community. We invite you to an afternoon of meaningful connection with incredible women in engineering who inspire us every day.

Join us to look back at what we’ve accomplished together—from a hand curated gallery from our archives to highlights from the past fiscal year to recognizing the section volunteers and leaders who make our success possible. Whether you’ve been a long-time member or are looking to get involved for the first time, you belong here. Friends and family are welcome!

📅 Event Timeline:
👋 10:30 – 11:00 AM | Flower Bar
🎤 11:00 – 11:30 AM | Keynote Speaker: Rae Lutters
🍽️ 11:30 – 12:00 PM | Nooksack Lunch Buffet
🔥 12:00 – 12:30 PM | Torchbearer Speaker: Linda M. S. Thomas, F. SWE
✨ 12:30 – 1:00 PM | WE26 Recap and Awards Ceremony
📷 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Photobooth and Networking

🥗 Meal Options:
We’ve got something for everyone! We will be featuring a delicious menu with local favorites. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available—please make your selection when registering for your ticket.

In addition, Seasonal Fresh Fruit Platter, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Fresh Steamed Vegetable with Butter will be available to all attendees.

🎤 Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Rae Lutters
Rae Lutters is Vice President of Aerospace and Sustainability at Unify Consulting, where she leads strategy, client engagement, and solution execution focused on advancing aerospace initiatives and sustainability outcomes. She has more than 25 years of aerospace experience, starting with being a teenage Alaskan bush pilot, an internship with Cirrus Design and 25 years at Boeing, where she most recently served as Program Manager and Chief Engineer for the award winning ecoDemonstrator Program.

Rae is an active contributor to the aerospace community and serves as part of the guiding coalition for AIAA SciTech. She is an active mentor and enjoys supporting people at all points in their career. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Dakota, a Certificate in Applied Sustainability from Villanova University, and a Master of Science degree in Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Outside of work, Rae is active with her teenage daughters, husband of 20 years, and her two miniature Australian Shepards, two Maine Coon cats, and one lion head rabbit. On any given day you can find her at a lacrosse tournament, enjoying a concert, sipping wine at a tasting, working out, enjoying the outdoors, reading a book, crocheting, traveling, or picking up another hobby.

🔥Torchbearer Speaker Spotlight: Linda M. S. Thomas, F. SWE (she/her)
Linda describes herself in six words: mom, wife, engineer, musician, photographer and STEMinist. Linda retired from The Boeing Company in 2020, a technical fellow and chemical regulatory risk assessment subject matter expert. Since retirement, Linda continues STEM advocacy through consulting and volunteer work with SWE, and local community activities.

Linda, a native of Washington DC, received a BS in chemical engineering from Howard University, and a MS in systems architecture and engineering from University of Southern California. She served in SWE leadership positions from the section level including SWE-PNW president, through the Board of Directors, and lastly as a senator.

Linda’s hobbies include playing clarinet, photography travel, and gardening. She lives in the Seattle Washington area with her husband Lee and pet birds, and an empty nester. Linda’s career accomplishments were recognized by SWE as Fellow, 2016 Woman Engineer You Should Know and the Distinguished Service Award.

🌟 SWE PNW 70th Anniversary Kudoboard:

Have photos or memories from past SWE PNW events? Leave us a message on our Kudoboard!

🎟️ Please note:

• Registration is required for each attendee. Register by May 14th to secure your starter and entree choices.
• SWE and non-SWE members will have different registration fees — be sure to select the correct option!

💌 Got questions? Reach out to us at [email protected] — we’re happy to help!

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