Consultant Dawn Heimer On How We Can Increase Girls’ Participation in Engineering and Robotics

An Interview With Vanessa Ogle

Parents can help develop girls’ interest in math starting when they are very young. A simple example is using kid-friendly measuring cups to study fractions when following a cooking recipe. Also, nurture the wonder of how things work and to question whether or not ‘known’ facts are really true.

Despite the growing importance of engineering and robotics in shaping our future, women remain significantly underrepresented in these fields. This series aims to explore and address the barriers that discourage girls from pursuing careers in engineering and robotics. We are talking to educators, industry leaders, pioneering women engineers, and robotics experts who have made significant contributions to their fields, to discuss the strategies they believe can inspire and increase the participation of young girls in engineering and robotics. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dawn Heimer.

Dawn is a Clinical Affairs Executive with over 3O years of experience in strategic planning, clinical due diligence, and managing high-performing teams. She is committed to continuous improvement, excels in crisis situations, and is skilled at delivering high-quality clinical data for regulatory and marketing purposes. Her professional journey includes high-level roles at some of the world’s largest healthcare companies, where she has led global teams and contributed to new product development many times over. As of January 2024, she is also a PCC-level Leadership Coach, helping individuals through personal and complex challenges. She is the editor of a forthcoming book, Determined to be Extraordinary Spectacular Stories of Modern Women in STEM. She can be found at https://dawnheimer.com

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

I grew up in a small town in western New York with more cows and corn than people. After I inherited suitcases full of college nursing textbooks, I could often be found with my nose in a book. Fortunately for me, those books had glorious illustrations of the layers of dissected frogs and human skin, sparking my interest in science. True to my upbringing, I have pursued academic and industry-sponsored research for over 30 years. I obtained my Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Sciences and Behavioral Genetics from the University of Connecticut, where I conducted family studies in dyslexia and befriended multiple generations of affected family members. I also conducted and published scientific research on gender differences in learning and memory in small animals and held clinical research posts at several top pharmaceutical and medical device companies. This is where people usually say: “and the rest is history.” Fortunately, my story continues. I am also the editor of a collaborative memoir on modern women in STEM, a Leadership Coach, and an accomplished abstract photographer.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

I would have to say my participation in the AdvaMed Task Force in the development of Clinicaltrials.gov, a website where you can search for clinical studies by various diseases or products. It’s a catalog of clinical trials required by the FDA and publishers. This was significant because we were tasked with developing a brand-new database to address the issue of biotech companies under-reporting negative clinical study results. The under-reporting of results was causing our industry to waste time and resources on ineffective medical therapies, hampering new product development and delaying new and innovative medical treatments. Our responsibility was huge and highly visible, and we had no preset template to follow. We had the right experts at the table and shared a commitment to timely and accurate data reporting. Another challenge was consensus-building. With a wide range of stakeholders from various backgrounds — regulatory, corporate, and academic — agreeing to the terms took time, tact, and compromise. We took our participation very seriously as the result would impact biotech companies’ competitiveness and the pace and progress in healthcare, affecting patient care. Seeing it launch was exciting, and watching it evolve to adapt to modern issues brings a sense of pride because although it has changed, its utility has stood the test of time. It was not just a major professional milestone but a significant contribution to improving the field of clinical research. This experience showed me the power of collaboration and was an amazing example of how to organize and manage very complex tasks and teams.

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering or robotics, and how can we replicate that inspiration for young girls?

Although I am not in engineering or robotics fields, I am a PhD scientist who just finished compiling a collaborative memoir of 27 extraordinary female STEM leaders from around the world, several of whom are engineers. Those women were inspired by: 1) Family members who were engineers and served as role models, developing their affinity for engineering concepts and fueling their aspirations; 2) Their environment (e.g., living in Detroit near the car manufacturers) increased their exposure and knowledge of mechanics, and 3) Some were primarily driven by their natural sense of curiosity and mathematical skills from a very young age. The availability of role models has a huge impact on girls’ interests in STEM. Much more needs to be done to provide girls with contemporary role models and role models that look like them. Seeing successful women in STEM is very motivational. When they see someone who looks like them doing great things, it reinforces the belief that they can do it, too.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

For me, that person is my mom. From a very young age, she believed I was talented and made sure that I knew it. She has always been my strongest advocate. Soon after I completed my PhD, I realized I was limited in my career at my current company because I wasn’t a medical doctor. It was frustrating as I knew I had much more to contribute. I remember discussing this with her, and instead of offering sympathy, which would not have been very helpful, she challenged me to consider medical school. While I wasn’t interested in becoming a doctor, she was really challenging the limitations I placed on myself in my mind. This pushed me to explore other ways my skills could be recognized and valued. I am deeply grateful for her continued support and belief in my potential. This shaped my professional path and instilled in me a lifelong desire to learn, conquer, and contribute positively to the world.

Can you share a story of a challenge you faced as a woman in engineering or robotics and how you overcame it?

I’ve always been fortunate to find people who believed in my potential and opened doors for me. However, there was one leader who would routinely knock my confidence. He sometimes treated me like a servant rather than a scientist hired to advance his life’s work. Unfortunately, this is still a very common occurrence for women in science, and I am not alone in this experience. As I was preparing to leave academics for industry-sponsored research and during one of our final conversations, he asked if I thought I had what it took to be successful. Reflecting back on that conversation, I realized this was probably due to his own feelings of insecurity as opposed to my abilities, but it didn’t feel that way at the time. It motivated me to prove him wrong. It gave me determination and focus, which helped me successfully transition into industry-sponsored research and excel. Because of this experience, I am very passionate about providing a supportive environment for my teams and taking their aspirations for career development with the utmost seriousness. I give them every opportunity I can.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

Yes, Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth. It describes the imaginary travels of a bored young boy with fun examples of how to approach problems creatively and “in the moment.” The characters and places in the book center around thinking, the danger of making assumptions, and how to communicate effectively. For example, there’s a very funny scene at a dinner where everyone literally has to eat their words teaching us to think before we speak and to choose our words carefully. In another example, the characters jump to the Island of Conclusions, and the only way home is to swim back, showing us the consequences of hasty decisions. By the end of the book, the lead character realizes that it’s curiosity that makes life fun. The Phantom Tollbooth taught me to look at problems from different angles to find the best solutions. It’s a fun and engaging story about the importance of a growth mindset.

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?

Martha Washington’s quote, “…the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances”. Reminding myself of this makes dealing with difficult situations easier and makes me more resilient than many people I know. It lets me see problems as learning opportunities and to look for the positive side of any situation. It is a great asset during challenging situations at work as it allows me to stay focused, lead others with a clear head and to not give up.

How have you used your success to make the world a better place?

I’ve had the privilege of working for companies that improve the healthcare of patients and have developed numerous medical therapies. Outside of work, I am using my experience and that of 27 other STEM leaders from around the world to empower young girls to pursue STEM fields by providing them with modern role models. Highlighting successful women in STEM in the collaborative memoir helps break down stereotypes and promotes diversity in scientific fields. Through clinical research and advocacy for girls in STEM, I am improving patient care and creating a world where the next generation of female scientists can thrive.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this report, only about 16% of engineering positions in the US are held by women. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from Engineering and Robotics?

I think women are not given as many on-the-job opportunities as men; men are selected first for special projects and are groomed for promotions, and women most often are not. The majority of people with power tend to be men and view women as not tough enough, dedicated enough, or as skilled as their male counterparts. I also think women feel guilty for dedicating time and energy to their careers, and many women leave their jobs for family duties. Oftentimes, there is not a strong enough support system in place for many women with families to stay in the workforce. As our culture does not place great importance on child rearing I don’t expect this to change any time soon.

This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should enter the Engineering and Robotics fields?

1. Women bring different perspectives to the table, which influences product design and functional elements; without their participation, those perspectives are missing. Gender-diverse teams develop more comprehensive problem-solving approaches and innovative solutions. This diversity of thought is particularly crucial in engineering, where innovation is key to technological advancements.
2. With 49% of the population being female, our needs will not be fully met if new products are being designed by and for men. In a global marketplace, engineering solutions must cater to a diverse population. Mixed-gender teams are more likely to understand and innovate for the needs of a broader customer base.
3. Studies have shown that diverse teams make decisions faster and more effectively. I think differing viewpoints lead to more solutions and more careful review of options.

Can you please share “5 Things We Need To Increase Girls’ Participation in Engineering and Robotics?”

1 . Contemporary role models that look like them. When they see someone who looks like them achieving greatness, it reinforces the belief that they can do it, too. When you don’t see women portrayed as engineers it’s hard to imagine yourself being one.

2 . Fight against biases that girls are not good at math or don’t like math. It’s simply not true.

3 . Parents can help develop girls’ interest in math starting when they are very young. A simple example is using kid-friendly measuring cups to study fractions when following a cooking recipe. Also, nurture the wonder of how things work and to question whether or not ‘known’ facts are really true.

4 . Show how exciting and important engineering and robotics are to the world we live in. Can you imagine a world without windshield wipers or a kitchen without a dishwasher? We have women to thank for those inventions. Engineering and robotics are like having the superpowers to build and create almost anything you want; where you can use your imagination to create the future.

5 . Hands-on experiences through “Bring A Kid to Work Day,” after-school programs/clubs, and summer camps focusing on engineering and robotics can get girls engaged and excited about engineering and robotics by showing them how things work and how to build functional machines with their own hands. These programs also help to normalize that engineering is not just for boys.

What are the most effective ways, in your opinion, to introduce girls to engineering and robotics at an early age?

If they do not have a family member in a STEM field, then through toys, books, and a supportive environment. One of my favorite kid’s books is “This Book Is a Planetarium: And Other Extraordinary Pop-Up Contraptions” by Kelli Anderson, and one of my favorite “toys” is the subscription box, KiwiCo or Kiwi Crate with a wide range of age levels available.

How do you think the portrayal of women in STEM fields by media and educational materials impacts girls’ interest in engineering and robotics?

Media influence is very strong, and girls need exposure to more STEM role models. Their portrayal in the media is improving (see the New York Times, Overlooked No More), but it still has a way to go to be considered fair and balanced.

What advice would you give to girls who are interested in engineering and robotics but are hesitant to take the first step?

Don’t limit your success and aspirations with negative thoughts about yourself. You are smart and capable. Don’t let anyone convince you that you are not good enough or smart enough.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

Girls everywhere have a basic human right to an education. They deserve to learn how to read and write just as much as boys do and should not just simply be relegated to the kitchen, the field, or marriage.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Under Dawn Heimer on my website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.

Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.