Emerson Automation Solutions recently announced that female STEM pioneer Kathrin Rüschenschmidt has won the 2021 Engineer Powerwoman Award from Deutsche Messe AG. Rüschenschmidt holds a doctorate in physics and serves as director of engineering for machine automation at Emerson. She received the award during the opening of the WomenPower Career Congress at HANNOVER MESSE Digital Edition.
Celebrating a female pioneer in STEM
The award chiefly recognizes a female STEM pioneer who promotes technical innovation, diversity and inclusion in her company. She does this through her commitment, ideas and work and serves as an inspiration for others. Dorothea Bär and and Angela Josephs presented the award. Bar is minister of state for digitalization in the German Chancellery. Josephs is vice chair of the WomenPower Congress Advisory Board and director of corporate communications at Phoenix Contact.
Rüschenschmidt is responsible for project portfolio management for new product developments at Emerson. She also has been coordinating project leaders worldwide since 2019. As a leader in the company, Rüschenschmidt places a particularly strong emphasis on inclusive team building. She coaches Emerson executives on diversity and inclusion. In 2020, she founded the Women in STEM Chapter Laatzen, which she continues to lead. She also serves as the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) regional representative in Emerson’s global diversity and inclusion committee. In addition, she is a member of the company’s LGBTQ+ allies’ chapter.
“I am very happy about the Engineer Powerwoman Award, and I feel honored,” Rüschenschmidt said. “For success, you need curiosity, courage, passion and cooperation, and, just as I am accompanied by many great people, it is fantastic to walk the path together for and with other diverse and wonderful people to achieve joint success.”
Paving the way for future pioneers
Above all, Emerson champions women in STEM careers and recognizes talented leaders like Rüschenschmidt. These leaders must drive innovation in their field while advocating for, educating and mentoring others. A testament to its commitment, Emerson’s global Women in STEM program has grown to more than 5,000 members. It has chapters on five continents. Through initiatives that empower its members, the program offers advocacy and sponsorship. It also offers opportunities for professional development, community building and more. The program and its members perform youth and university outreach. Specifically, members share STEM events with students and support women in STEM education.
“We’re tremendously proud of Dr. Rüschenschmidt, her achievements and everything she does to inspire others,” said Lauren Baker, chair of Emerson’s Women in STEM. “She is a key member of Women in STEM, leading our chapter in Laatzen. She is paving the way for other women in science and in the corporate world.”
Rüschenschmidt is the ninth inspiring woman to be recognized with an Engineer Powerwoman Award. She was selected from three finalists chosen by an independent jury consisting of WomenPower Congress Advisory Board members. Finalists are chosen from an open call for nominees from companies and institutions around the world. Each organization can nominate one person.
The Hannover Messe Digital Edition is a knowledge and networking platform for industry, energy and logistics. It includes presentations, conferences and forums on topics such as digital platforms, industry 4.0, IT security and more. Under the guiding theme “Industrial Transformation,” industry thought leaders present their technologies and ideas for the factories, energy systems and supply chains of the future.
Read about amazing female STEM pioneers throughout history!
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