About the Wichita Section of the Society of Women Engineers

The Society of Women Engineers Wichita area section was chartered in 1982 by a dynamic group of eight women, and has since grown to over 50 members. We are a non-profit organization of made up of both men and women who are dedicated to making known the need for women engineers and encouraging young women to consider an engineering education. Our local section strives to create a balanced environment that blends our members personal and professional lives.

Our section shares the mission and goals of our national organization, which provides additional opportunities for our section. Within national, we are a part of Region i.

All sorts of people are members of SWE. Learn about the benefits of membership.

Wondering what we've been up to in the past? Read how to access old newsletters.

The Society of Women Engineers Wichita area section is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Executives & Committee Chairs

President ~ Allison Wright

Allison Wright graduated from Iowa State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation. She works at Spirit AeroSystems in Research and Development as a Nondestructive Inspection Engineer. Allison received her Master's of Science in Operations Management from Friends University in August 2012.

Allison is an active volunteer within Girl Scouts and currently leads the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland ROBO Troop which is a troop of 4th-8th grade girls that build, program, and compete Lego robots in the WSU Lego Mindstorms competition each spring. She is also on their Gold Award committee and has been developing a new training and application process for this award. In whatever time there is left, Allison trains adults and girls in outdoor and leadership skills.

Allison's newest hobby is baking and decorating cakes; she has done one wedding cake, a few groom's cakes, and lots of birthday cakes! Allison's husband, Alex, enjoys taste testing the cakes and he even helps bake them! Other hobbies include anything that gets her outside, working with Girl Scouts, traveling, playing board games and cooking.

Allison joined SWE as a student at Iowa State University and has been active in the Wichita professional section since moving to Wichita to work for Spirit.

Vice President ~ Michelle Boehm

Michelle Boehm graduated in 2011 from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO with a degree in Civil Engineering. She currently works for Professional Engineer Consultants as a bridge design engineer in the transportation division.

Michelle's hobbies include volleyball, reading, painting, crafting, baking (especially cake balls), and since moving to Wichita, cake decorating. In her free time, Michelle helps coach a Girl Scout Lego Mindstorms team and serves as a Girl Scout volunteer at a local elementary school.

Michelle first joined SWE in her freshman year at Mizzou and was an active collegiate member for four years. She served on many outreach committees as well as helping with the planning of the 2010 Region i conference. Michelle has continued her membership with the Wichita professional section since graduating.

Treasurer ~ Lynn Howitz

Lynn Howitz graduated from Ohio Northern University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She works for The Kroger Company – Dillons Division as a Construction Manager. Lynn started with Kroger out of college in the California division and transferred to Kansas with the company in 2008.

Lynn is an active volunteer within the community through volunteer work at Dillons and Grace Point Church. Lynn also enjoys playing soccer, softball, camping and spending time out on the lake with friends. Lynn is married and has two German shepherd dogs. Lynn’s goal every year is to take one international trip; she has been successful for the last four years. Lynn has been to England, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Turkey, Egypt and South Africa to name a few. Lyn has been to 5 of the 7 continents and plans in the next year or two to visit number 6.

Lynn joined SWE as a student at Ohio Northern University, but then took time off while working in California and became active again in the Wichita section last year.

Secretary ~ Misty Frank

Section Representative ~ Jennifer Marshall

Jennifer Marshall is a stress engineer at Spirit AeroSystems working in structural test. She started her career in 1997 with Boeing Commercial in Wichita and continued with the company when it became Spirit in 2005.

Jennifer graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Technical Writing from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T) in 1996. She completed her MS in Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State in 2003 with a focus in structures. Jennifer is currently working on a Masters in Public Administration at Wichita State.

Jennifer spends her free time working on her house and yard, with her dog Diesel, being an aunt, traveling, and training for a half-marathon. She volunteers time with church activities and short-term mission trips.

Jennifer first joined SWE as a student at UMR and has been a professional member for a few years.

Expo chair ~ Kim Burton

Kim Burton is a senior engineer at Cessna Aircraft Company, specializing in avionics and electrical systems integration. Kim has been with Cessna since 2002, when she earned her bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from Pittsburg State University. In 2008 Kim received a master's in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University. She is a Six Sigma Green Belt and a private pilot.

Kim has been a member of SWE since college and loves the message this organization sends about what women can contribute to important fields. The Wichita section has given Kim the opportunity to co-chair the annual Engineering Expo four years in a row.

Kim's husband is a nightclub DJ and stay-at-home-dad to their little girl. They also have a dog and guinea pigs.

Professional development ~ Lili Solorzano

Lili Solorzano graduated from Wichita State University in 2005 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering and will be receiving an MBA from Newman University this spring. She works at Spirit AeroSystems as a stress engineer in the A350XWB program. On her spare time, Lili enjoys video games, strategy board games, working on DIY projects, and traveling. Lili joined Wichita SWE after attending one of our monthly events. She hopes to continue to meet many more amazing women and become more active within the organization and the community through the many programs SWE sponsors.

WSU counselor ~ Cassie Schroeder