Fireside Chat with Astronaut Chris Birch
2026-04-30 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Fireside Chat with Astronaut Chris Birch MIT PhD ’15
Thursday, April 30, 5-6 pm, 34-101
Escape Velocity – How Technical Leadership Skills Launched Chris Birch to New Heights
Astronaut. Professor. Champion Cyclist. Engineering Leader. Achieving lofty goals is in Chris Birch’s DNA. She conducted original research in synthetic biology, microfluidics, and infectious disease while earning a PhD in biological engineering at MIT. She then taught at the University of California and Caltech before joining the U.S. Cycling National Team, where she won 11 National Championships and three World Cup medals. Now she is a NASA astronaut working to reach her highest goal – flying to the International Space Station and beyond.
Join us for a Fireside Chat with NASA Astronaut Chris Birch. Hear about her remarkable achievements and the leadership principles that have guided her journey.
Register here
Chris Birch bio
Open to all in the MIT community. Hosted by Technical Leadership and Communication Programs – Distinguished Speaker Series.

Leadership Skills for Success
2026-05-04 14:00 - 15:30
Pathways Beyond the Lab – Leadership Skills for Success
Monday, May 4, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: E19-202
Register for This Workshop
Lunch will be provided (with gluten free and vegetarian options).

Attending any or all of the three Pathways Beyond the Lab* workshops counts as a maximum of one workshop credit toward the requirements for GradEL’s Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership.
* Leadership Skills for Success (May 4), Communication Skills for Success (May 12), Women in Pathways Outside of the Lab: A Panel (May 15)

Description
The first of a 3-workshop series designed to explore skills and career pathways outside of the lab. This workshop focuses on leading effective teams, understanding your transferable skills and public speaking skills.

Leader
Anna Frebel is an astrophysicist, professor of physics and head of astrophysics at MIT, known for her work in observational stellar astrophysics with discoveries and spectroscopic analyses of the oldest, more metal-poor stars in the Milky Way and small dwarf galaxies. Alongside her scientific achievements, she is committed to expanding professional career development opportunities through MIT’s LEAP program where students learn to navigate both academic and career goals with more confidence, gain leadership competency, and strengthen skills needed to successfully navigate a career path.

Add this workshop to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below. (That does not register you for the workshop. Use the above link to register.)

Info Session: Blue Origin
2026-08-24 19:00 - 20:00 | https://gradel.mit.edu/event/info-session-blue-origin/
Virtual Info Session: Blue Origin
Monday, Aug. 24, 7 pm

Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/91810075976

Description
Blue Origin is a space technology company developing reusable rockets and systems to enable a future where millions of people live and work in space. Representatives will share insights into the company and their career paths.
Our sister program for undergrads, the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), is hosting this info session open to all MIT grad students.

Add this info session to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below.

Info Session: General Motors
2026-08-25 20:00 - 21:00 | https://gradel.mit.edu/event/info-session-general-motors/
Virtual Info Session: General Motors
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 8 pm

Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/98479570544

Description
General Motors (GM) is a global automotive and technology company developing electric vehicles, autonomous driving systems, advanced manufacturing technologies, and mobility solutions that are shaping the future of transportation.
Our sister program for undergrads, the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), is hosting this info session open to all MIT grad students.

Add this info session to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below.

Info Session: Formlabs
2026-08-26 20:00 - 21:00 | https://gradel.mit.edu/event/info-session-formlabs/
Virtual Info Session: Formlabs
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 8 pm

Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92391079265

Description
Formlabs is a leading 3D printing company that develops professional-grade additive manufacturing technologies, enabling engineers, designers, and manufacturers to rapidly prototype and produce high-quality parts.
Our sister program for undergrads, the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), is hosting this info session open to all MIT grad students.

Add this info session to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below.

Info Session: Amazon
2026-09-01 19:00 - 20:00 | https://gradel.mit.edu/event/info-session-amazon/
Virtual Info Session: Amazon
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7 pm

Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/95825904157

Description
Amazon is a global technology and e-commerce company that uses innovation in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, and logistics to deliver products, services, and solutions to customers and businesses worldwide.
Our sister program for undergrads, the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), is hosting this info session open to all MIT grad students.

Add this info session to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below.

Info Session: Moderna
2026-09-10 18:00 - 19:00 | https://gradel.mit.edu/event/info-session-moderna/
Virtual Info Session: Moderna
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 6 pm

Zoom link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/93557367165

Description
Moderna is a biotechnology company pioneering mRNA medicines and vaccines to address some of the world’s most challenging diseases.
Our sister program for undergrads, the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), is hosting this info session open to all MIT grad students.

Add this info session to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below.

The Once and Future Software Engineer
2026-09-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Room 32-124, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
The Once and Future Software Engineer
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop
This workshop counts toward the requirements for GradEL’s Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership.

Description
Technologies change. Tools change. Industries change. Careers change. The engineers who thrive are the ones who learn how to change with them.
Software engineering has never stood still. From desktop applications to cloud computing, from mobile platforms to AI-assisted development, every generation of engineers has experienced technologies that transformed how software is built—and what it means to be a software engineer.
Join a panel of early-, mid-, and late-career software engineers as they reflect on how the profession has evolved, the skills that have remained timeless, and what they believe comes next. Through a moderated discussion, interactive audience activities, and open Q&A, you’ll explore how careers adapt alongside changing technologies, what employers continue to value regardless of technical trends, and how to prepare for a future that is certain to look different than today.
Together, we’ll examine not only how software engineering is changing, but how engineers can build resilient, fulfilling careers by embracing continuous learning, recognizing opportunity, and adapting when plans inevitably change.

Panelists
Ed Keisling is Chief AI Officer at Progress Software, bringing more than 30 years of experience leading software engineering and technology organizations. Ed leads Progress’s AI strategy and is a vocal advocate for approaching AI not simply as a replacement for existing work, but as a tool that can empower engineers—while emphasizing that human judgment, intentionality, and the realities of building secure, scalable software remain critical..
Anthony Adams is a software engineer and MIT alum with more than a decade of experience spanning full-stack engineering, technical leadership, and startups. He earned his B.S. in Computer Science from MIT, where he also completed the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership (GEL) Program. Anthony brings a mid-career perspective on how software engineering has evolved—and how the technical and leadership skills he began developing at MIT have carried across different roles and organizations.
Natalia Maxham is an early-career software engineer with an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan. She currently works as a Software Engineer at Google. Natalia brings the perspective of a new generation entering software engineering as AI and other emerging technologies rapidly reshape the tools, expectations, and opportunities within the field.
Tim Dai is an early-career software engineer and recent graduate of Stanford University, where he earned his M.S. in Computer Science. He is currently an ML Foundation Engineer at NVIDIA, working on AI infrastructure for autonomous vehicles. Tim brings the perspective of a new generation entering software engineering at a moment of rapid technological change and navigating what it means to build a career as the field evolves.

Add this workshop to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below. (That does not register you for the workshop. Use the above link to register.)

Beyond the Technical: Trust, Technology, and the Future of Energy
2026-10-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Room 32-124, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Beyond the Technical: Trust, Technology, and the Future of Energy
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop
This workshop counts toward the requirements for GradEL’s Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership.

Description
The transition to renewable energy isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a leadership challenge. Every engineering decision has implications for product quality, customer confidence, public trust, and the pace of global adoption. In this interactive workshop, you’ll work alongside Veronica Barner, a senior engineering executive from GE Vernova, to tackle a real-world challenge from the wind energy industry. Through a collaborative case study, you’ll evaluate technical and leadership trade-offs, develop your own recommendations, and compare your thinking with the decisions made by engineering leaders responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and trusted renewable energy systems.
Capabilities taught in this workshop: Making Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty; Fostering Trust, Loyalty, and Team-Building; Maintaining Awareness of Societal and Natural Context; Exercising Business Context Awareness and Financial Acumen

Leader
Veronica Barner is a Wind Energy Product Executive at GE Vernova, where she leads global engineering teams developing technologies that advance the transition to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Since joining GE’s Renewable Energy Leadership Program in 2012, Veronica has held leadership roles spanning engineering, product development, strategy, and research & development, helping drive innovation and quality across one of the world’s largest wind energy portfolios. Inspired by her childhood in Bolivia, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of energy poverty, Veronica has dedicated her career to expanding access to clean, reliable electricity while building the engineering organizations needed to power the future. She brings a unique perspective on leading complex technical teams, balancing product quality with customer trust, and solving the interdisciplinary challenges that define the global energy transition.

Add this workshop to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below. (That does not register you for the workshop. Use the above link to register.)

Inside the Hiring Process: Standing Out in Disruptive Technology Companies
2026-11-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Room 32-124, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Inside the Hiring Process: Standing Out in Disruptive Technology Companies
Thursday, Nov. 5, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop
This workshop counts toward the requirements for GradEL’s Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership.

Description
Most career workshops tell you what to do. This workshop opens the black box and explores why hiring decisions are made the way they are.
What really happens after you click “Submit Application”? How do recruiters and hiring managers identify standout candidates from hundreds of highly qualified applicants? And how are AI tools changing the hiring process? Join an experienced HR and recruiting leader for an insider’s look at how disruptive technology companies—from startups to global organizations—identify engineering talent and leadership potential. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, you’ll explore what employers actually look for, how hiring decisions are made, and practical strategies to better communicate your technical and leadership capabilities throughout the job search.
Capabilities taught in this workshop: Developing Vision and Intention in Life and Career; Building Relationships and Networks

Leader
Renee Kennedy is a global people and talent leader with extensive experience helping high-growth, disruptive technology companies attract, hire, and develop exceptional talent. Throughout her career, she has partnered with organizations ranging from innovative startups to established technology companies, building high-performing teams and shaping talent strategies in rapidly evolving industries. Renee brings an insider’s perspective on how hiring decisions are made, what employers look for beyond technical ability, and how engineers can position themselves for success in an increasingly dynamic job market.

Add this workshop to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below. (That does not register you for the workshop. Use the above link to register.)

Building Better Ideas: Improv Skills for Engineering Leaders
2026-11-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Room 32-124, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Building Better Ideas: Improv Skills for Engineering Leaders
Thursday, Nov.19, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop
This workshop counts toward the requirements for GradEL’s Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership.

Description
The best engineering breakthroughs rarely come from one person working alone—they emerge from teams that listen deeply, build on each other’s ideas, adapt to new information, and aren’t afraid to explore the unexpected. In this highly interactive workshop, you’ll use improvisation as a practical tool to strengthen collaboration, creative problem solving, and innovation. Through a series of fast-paced exercises, you’ll discover how the principles of improv translate directly to engineering teams tackling complex, ambiguous challenges.
Capabilities taught in this workshop: Inquiring and Dialoguing; Innovating

Leader
Matt Griffin is a corporate trainer, improviser, and instructor with Improv Asylum, one of the nation’s leading organizations for applied improvisation. As both a mainstage performer and corporate facilitator, Matt has worked with organizations including Google, Fidelity, and Harvard, using improvisation to strengthen communication, collaboration, adaptability, and innovation. Through engaging, hands-on experiences, he helps technical and business professionals develop the trust, active listening, and creative problem-solving skills that enable teams to thrive when navigating ambiguity and change.

Add this workshop to your calendar using the “Add to Calendar” link below. (That does not register you for the workshop. Use the above link to register.)
