SWE Boston October 2017 Professional Development Meeting
“Women in Technology: Driving Innovation and Growth”
Presented by a Panel of Speakers
Sponsored by Raytheon
Close to 80 Raytheon employees and SWE members toured the Immersive Design Center, home of the world's first-in-industry CAVE2™ system. Following the tour, a panel of four Raytheon professionals answered questions about innovation and women in STEM. Speaker panel included: Dr. Ellen Ferraro, Brenda K. Boorda, Jennifer Lewis, Lauren Crews
SWE-Boston invites all members to attend a panel discussion with top leaders in the Raytheon organization to get their insight on cultivating innovation and growth in the workplace.
This event includes a hands-on tour of the Immersive Design Center which is home of the world’s first-in-industry CAVE2™ system. The CAVE2™ creates a virtual environment featuring 320 degrees of panoramic 2D and 3D immersive visualization. Get firsthand experience on how Raytheon demonstrates its commitment to innovation.
Come ready with your questions for a colorful dialogue around what skills and experiences can help grow your innovative ideas.
Limited space … register early!
This event includes a hands-on tour of the Immersive Design Center which is home of the world’s first-in-industry CAVE2™ system. The CAVE2™ creates a virtual environment featuring 320 degrees of panoramic 2D and 3D immersive visualization. Get firsthand experience on how Raytheon demonstrates its commitment to innovation.
Come ready with your questions for a colorful dialogue around what skills and experiences can help grow your innovative ideas.
Limited space … register early!
Date and Time
Event Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2017
RSVP: Wednesday, October 4, 2017
RSVP: Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Agenda
5:30 – 6:30 Appetizers & CAVE™ Tours
6:30 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 7:15 Raytheon & SWE Introduction
7:15 – 8:15 Main Presentation and Q&A
6:30 – 7:00 Dinner
7:00 – 7:15 Raytheon & SWE Introduction
7:15 – 8:15 Main Presentation and Q&A
Dinner will be provided. Vegetarian Option available.
LocationLocation:
Raytheon Company 326 Lowell Street Andover, MA 01810 Parking: Follow the signs from the main gate and proceed to the stop sign. Take the first right, then your first left into the lot and look for available visitor parking. Please do not park in any reserved or numbered spots. Park and proceed to the entrance of the Essex Building and check in with security. |
sAbout Our Speaker

Dr. Ellen Ferraro is the Director of Research and Technology within the Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) Advanced Technology business area. She was appointed to this position in August, 2016. In this role, she is responsible for driving the development of technologies and differentiators for future generations of Raytheon programs working with government Science & Technology (S&T) contract agencies, businesses, suppliers and universities. Prior to this position, she was the Director of the Systems Architecture, Design and Integration Directorate (SADID) within the Engineering organization responsible for all aspects of systems engineering including requirements definition, modeling and simulation efforts, system effectiveness and operational analysis and algorithm development.
Ferraro received her PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1994 under a NASA Graduate Student Research Fellowship. While working in the Microwave Remote Sensing Laboratory (MIRSL) at the University of Massachusetts, her graduate research included the development of an airborne radar altimeter for the investigation of surface and volume scattering from the Greenland ice sheet.
Ferraro is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She was a member of the IEEE 2007 Radar Conference Committee and vice chair of the IEEE 2010 Phased Array Conference. She is an active member of the Boston Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and is the recipient of the Mass High Tech “Women to Watch in 2006” Award, the SWE 1999 Distinguished New Engineer Award, the SWE 2007 Emerging Leaders Award and the SWE 2016 Fellow Award.
Ferraro received her PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1994 under a NASA Graduate Student Research Fellowship. While working in the Microwave Remote Sensing Laboratory (MIRSL) at the University of Massachusetts, her graduate research included the development of an airborne radar altimeter for the investigation of surface and volume scattering from the Greenland ice sheet.
Ferraro is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She was a member of the IEEE 2007 Radar Conference Committee and vice chair of the IEEE 2010 Phased Array Conference. She is an active member of the Boston Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and is the recipient of the Mass High Tech “Women to Watch in 2006” Award, the SWE 1999 Distinguished New Engineer Award, the SWE 2007 Emerging Leaders Award and the SWE 2016 Fellow Award.

Brenda K .Boorda is the vice president of Mission Assurance for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS). With a workforce of 13,100 and 2016 sales of $6.2 billion, SAS is headquartered in McKinney, Texas, with operations across the U.S. and internationally. Previously, Boorda served as the director of the Whole Life Engineering Directorate for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) for seven years, and three years as the deputy director. She led a global deployed team of over 600 multidiscipline engineers supporting various U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency programs in design, development, production, deployment and sustainment of IDS products.
Before that she was the director of Mission Support Modernization, Integrated Support Solutions, for Raytheon Technical Services Company, where she was the business manager for a 90+M product line focused on the upgrading of legacy systems for the U.S. Navy and Federal Aviation Administration.
Boorda joined Raytheon IDS in 2002 as a senior manager for Information Technology Project Management after retiring from the U.S. Navy as a commander. In the Navy she had significant experience in Navy and Joint C4I systems and operations and held positions as chief staff officer, operations officer and officer-in-charge.
Boorda has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Kentucky University in chemistry and business administration, a Master of Science in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.
Before that she was the director of Mission Support Modernization, Integrated Support Solutions, for Raytheon Technical Services Company, where she was the business manager for a 90+M product line focused on the upgrading of legacy systems for the U.S. Navy and Federal Aviation Administration.
Boorda joined Raytheon IDS in 2002 as a senior manager for Information Technology Project Management after retiring from the U.S. Navy as a commander. In the Navy she had significant experience in Navy and Joint C4I systems and operations and held positions as chief staff officer, operations officer and officer-in-charge.
Boorda has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Kentucky University in chemistry and business administration, a Master of Science in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.

Jennifer Lewis is the Director of the Systems Architecture, Design and Integration Directorate (SADID) within the Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) engineering organization. She was appointed to this role in June, 2016. The SADID organization has approximately 1200 people across the US who are responsible for all aspects of systems engineering including requirements definition, modeling and simulation efforts, system effectiveness and operational analysis and algorithm development.
During her career, Ms. Lewis has contributed to large development programs primarily in the Command and Control domain, including military and civil applications. She has enjoyed working with both domestic and foreign customers and collaborating with international development teams. She has built a breadth experience across the Systems Engineering development lifecycle. Ms. Lewis has worked for Raytheon on both the East and West Coasts and is motivated by working with diverse teams to solve complex problems.
Ms. Lewis has a master's degree in Computer Science and a bachelor's degree in Math and Computer Science from Boston University. She is a graduate of Raytheon’s Engineering Leadership Development Program and has completed the Leadership Excellence Program. She has been recognized with an Excellence in Engineering and Technology award, an R6S Excellence award and a Business Development Excellence award. She is a Qualified Raytheon Six Sigma Specialist.
During her career, Ms. Lewis has contributed to large development programs primarily in the Command and Control domain, including military and civil applications. She has enjoyed working with both domestic and foreign customers and collaborating with international development teams. She has built a breadth experience across the Systems Engineering development lifecycle. Ms. Lewis has worked for Raytheon on both the East and West Coasts and is motivated by working with diverse teams to solve complex problems.
Ms. Lewis has a master's degree in Computer Science and a bachelor's degree in Math and Computer Science from Boston University. She is a graduate of Raytheon’s Engineering Leadership Development Program and has completed the Leadership Excellence Program. She has been recognized with an Excellence in Engineering and Technology award, an R6S Excellence award and a Business Development Excellence award. She is a Qualified Raytheon Six Sigma Specialist.

Lauren Crews is department manager for Missile Defense & Sensor Solutions in the Systems Architecture, Design and Integration Directorate (SADID), and is responsible for Systems Engineering execution on multiple programs supporting DoD customers and Raytheon capture teams.
Lauren is also the vice president of Raytheon Women’s Network (RWN) for the Northeast region and a member of the IDS Diversity Council. She serves as a strategic business partner in building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. RWN promotes the development and contributions of Raytheon women through activities focused on career development, employee retention, recruiting, and community outreach.
Prior to this current assignment she was the manager of the Systems Analysis section of the Surveillance Radar Systems Department in SADID and the deputy principal investigator of an Independent Research & Development project focused on developing a secure server.
Lauren received her Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received a MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and a BSAE from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies, a Life Member of the Society of Women Engineers, an active member of the Girl Scouts, and a recipient of the Mass High Tech “Women to Watch in 2010” Award.
Lauren is also the vice president of Raytheon Women’s Network (RWN) for the Northeast region and a member of the IDS Diversity Council. She serves as a strategic business partner in building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. RWN promotes the development and contributions of Raytheon women through activities focused on career development, employee retention, recruiting, and community outreach.
Prior to this current assignment she was the manager of the Systems Analysis section of the Surveillance Radar Systems Department in SADID and the deputy principal investigator of an Independent Research & Development project focused on developing a secure server.
Lauren received her Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received a MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and a BSAE from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies, a Life Member of the Society of Women Engineers, an active member of the Girl Scouts, and a recipient of the Mass High Tech “Women to Watch in 2010” Award.
About the Sponsor
Raytheon Company is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. Founded in 1922, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, capabilities in C5I (command, control, communications, computing, cyber and intelligence), sensing, effects and mission support services.
To learn more, visit www.raytheon.com and follow @Raytheon on Twitter
To learn more, visit www.raytheon.com and follow @Raytheon on Twitter
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