At G&W Electric, women engineers help ensure reliable power to keep the lights on around the world.
Women play an important role in the electrical power industry, ensuring that utility companies and industry partners have the solutions and tools they need to deliver reliable power.
But they are often underrepresented on the job: according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Labor, women comprise just 26 percent of the STEM workforce.
Today, on International Women in Engineering Day, G&W Electric is proud to encourage more women to pursue a career in engineering.
Learn more about our colleagues across the globe who are breaking down barriers, while building a new future that transforms communities, industries, and lives.
Kris Cuthbertson, Training & Operations Support Manager
Where to go to college was an easy decision for Kris Cuthbertson: She always loved math and science, and home was near Michigan Technological University, a great place to study engineering.
“I like to be able to apply problem-solving metrics to every issue,” Kris said. “My choice of engineering was primarily because of math and science. And college taught me how to learn.”
Knowing how to learn new things – and solve problems – has propelled Kris across many leadership roles at G&W Electric.
A mechanical engineer by training, she has worked as a quality engineer, plant manager and now training manager, where she focuses on how to make G&W Electric products and processes better.
She uses her engineering mindset and STEM background every day, such as a recent research project for seismic design of equipment that must withstand natural disasters like tornadoes.
In another example, she created a new apprenticeship program for power testing, to fulfill a need at G&W Electric to have more people who can contribute in third-party testing and validation of new products.
“It’s helpful to know the questions to ask, as it speeds up the investigation process,” she said of her STEM background. “I get to work with cross-functional teams where my background comes in handy.”
She credits the culture of G&W Electric, where a growing number of women hold key leadership roles across the organization.
Eriola Huqi, Quality Manager, Italy
As the Quality Manager at the Veneta Isolatori plant, Eriola Huqi ensures that G&W Electric products meet the standards our customers expect.
That means working closely with people across the organization to not just catch problems, but to anticipate them and build processes that achieve greater results over time.
“What I enjoy most is the collaboration itself, bringing different functions and perspectives together to solve something nobody could solve alone,” she said. “My favorite part of the job is continuous improvement.”
“We can look at how something works today and figure out, together with people across the organization, how it could work better tomorrow.”
In fact, Eriola believes that this process approach leads to higher quality across professional and personal goals.
“Solid, well-managed processes are what produce solid results, not luck or heroics,” she said. “It’s a mindset that goes beyond work, too. I try to apply the same, one-step-at-a-time approach in my personal life.”
Eriola said she was always curious about how things worked. When she was a child, she was always taking things apart. For instance, she used to work on her dad’s motorcycles, changing the spark plugs or other parts on her own, just to see if she could get them running again.
“That hands-on curiosity, more than anything I learned in school, is what eventually pulled me toward engineering,” she said.
Nicole Yuede, NPD Materials Engineer II
Nicole Yuede started her career working in education and in labs. But she found her real calling problem-solving at G&W Electric.
As New Product Development Materials Engineer II, she has a front-row seat in troubleshooting concerns for a wide variety of products and services.
Every day, the team investigates issues that could affect G&W Electric products at the newly opened testing lab at our molding facility, which is located at our campus headquarters in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Nicole, who helped design the new lab, works with teams across the system as G&W Electric expands its offerings through new products and services. G&W Electric’s products are engineered to order, which means constant customization and validation for products.
“We’re constantly growing and learning, and it’s exciting to be part of that,” she said.
Nicole said she will be celebrating on International Women in Engineering Day, a day she thinks is important to stress because of the need to be visible for the next generation.
“It’s a time to say that we’re here,” she said. “We need to be proud of what we have accomplished.”
Emma Drew, Quality Engineer II
Science was always a passion for Emma Drew. She was drawn to chemistry and math throughout college, which naturally led her to chemical engineering.
When exploring the major, supportive professors and students in the department encouraged her, and their passion for the field gave her the confidence to go for it.
Now a Quality Engineer working with the New Product Development team, she is focused on
minimizing risk throughout the product development process, using tools like FMEAs and 8Ds alongside data analysis. With a background in process engineering, she brings a hands-on manufacturing perspective to new product development, helping identify gaps early in the process.
“I love continuously learning and growing while having opportunities to develop new skills through programs like Green Belt and Emerging Leaders training,” she said. “I also really enjoy the collaborative problem-solving aspect. Every challenge is a little different.”
Emma interned at G&W Electric while still in college, then accepted a full-time role after graduation. She is grateful for the mentors at G&W Electric who have helped shape her career and professional growth, as well as an open environment where everyone is given an opportunity to speak their ideas.
“I started as an intern at G&W Electric and came back after graduation because of the people and the culture,” Emma said. “What has kept me here is that the engineers are genuinely given the platform to bring their ideas forward and act on them. Four years in, I really value the trust and ownership they’ve given me.”
Explore Engineering Opportunities at G&W Electric
Engineering is about solving problems that matter. If you’re looking for a career where your ideas can make a real impact, explore opportunities at G&W Electric. Join a global team that’s advancing power grid reliability through innovation and collaboration.
Visit our Careers Page to learn more.
