MIT GradEl

Engineering Leadership in the Energy Transition
2026-10-14 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Room 32-124, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Engineering Leadership in the Energy Transition
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop – TBD
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.)

Beyond the Resume: How Disruptive Technology Companies Hire
2026-11-05 17:00 - 19:00
Beyond the Resume: How Disruptive Technology Companies Hire
Thursday, Nov. 5, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop – TBD
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.)

Improvisation for Technical Innovation
2026-11-19 17:00 - 19:00
Improvisation for Technical Innovation
Thursday, Nov.19, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 32-124
Register for This Workshop – TBD
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.)
