May/June 2021 - 7

MICHAEL H. WYSOCKEY, PH.D., P.E.,
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Enhancing Women's Opportunities in the Industry
As we prepare for International Women
in Engineering Day on June 23, now is a
good time to consider the role DFI plays
in enhancing professional opportunities
for women in the industry.
Since 2014, DFI has been very proud
of the Women in Deep Foundations
(WiDF) Committee and the programs it
has deve l oped to improve the
professional development of women in
the industry. Activities to accomplish
thi s mi ss i on inc lude l ec tures ,
networking receptions, professional
development grants , indust ryacademia
partnerships, professional
development workshops, and even
bedazzled lanyards that are commonly
seen at industry events. I've bought
several of these lanyards that fund
WiDF activities and serve as effective
conversation starters; they open the
door to discussing what we are doing to
further the cause of supporting women
in our industry.
DFI is very fortunate to have had
strong women in leadership positions
for many years: Executive Director
Theresa Engler and Director of Technical
Activities Mary Ellen Bruce Large
are shining examples of successful
industry professionals. Many organizations
recognize the need for improving
the trajectory of women; having such
well-respected leaders within DFI
enhances the institutional commitment
at all levels.
In addition to the successful launch
of WiDF chapters in India and Europe,
retention and career development are
among WiDF areas of success. For
instance, several professional development
grants are awarded annually for
women to attend DFI's annual conference.
The grants cover travel and
accommodations, plus conference
registration. The awardees are introduced
widely to help build their
professional networks, encouraged to
participate in committee activities and
recognized at a WiDF reception.
Such well-regarded WiDF networking
receptions at all major institute
events explicitly encourage experienced
members to meet those new to the
industry - while offering creative ways
for this to happen: a sold-out boat cruise
on the Chicago River a few years ago, for
example, that was led by Dhooli Raj of
Collins Engineers. It allowed me to
introduce my high school daughter,
Suzy, and grade schooler, Livy, to several
bright and funny
women from the
industry.
There are monthly
WiDF video calls
(started before COVID
made them popular)
that are likely the
most highly attended
committee calls at
DF I . Bes i des the
typical time devoted
to committee business
and upcoming
programs, they involve
a thoughtprovoking
topic for the benefit of
participants. DFI also organizes a
memorial lecture at each annual
conference in memory of Hal Hunt, a
notable communicator in the deep
foundations industry. In 2016, the WiDF
Committee raised funds to sponsor the
first female Hal Hunt Lecturer, Dr. Mae
Jemison, who discussed exploring the
frontiers of science and human potential
and her 100-year starship project. The
WiDF Committee will be sponsoring
female lecturers every three years to
continue this initiative.
With such programming, and the
hard work and creative leadership of so
many, including current WiDF Committee
Chair Lucky Nagarajan of Giken
America, double the women now attend
the annual conference, and the number
of female authors has more than tripled.
If you would like to share in making
a tangible difference, your participation,
whether you're male or female, is
highly encouraged. For instance, WiDF
will honor International Women in
WiDFs video, " What is the geotechnical field? " features dynamic DFI
members showcasing the many roles of women in the geotechnical field.
Engineering Day with a June 23 reception
at the Sheraton Philadelphia
Downtown during SuperPile '21. The
WiDF Networking reception will be in
the Horizons Rooftop Ballroom at 5:30
p.m., with registration required. We
hope to see you there.
Contact Michael H. Wysockey at mwysockey@thatcherfoundations.com
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * MAY/JUNE 2021 * 7
http://http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdg3L5ixB8I&t=15s
May/June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2021
