Gayle Roberts, P.E. Receives the 2010 Society of Women Engineers Upward Mobility Award
CHICAGO – November 9, 2010 – The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is pleased to announce Gayle Roberts as the 2010 recipient of the Upward Mobility Award. She is being honored for bringing exceptional technical and management abilities to corporate leadership, and for championing both aspiring and practicing women engineers.
“Gayle Roberts’ leadership skills, business savvy and technical expertise are evident from Stanley Consultants’ success under her direction,” says Siddika Demir, SWE president. “She recognizes the importance that mentorship holds in retaining women engineers, as she regularly speaks with MBA students and tutors high school girls in math and science.”
As president and chief operating officer of Stanley Consultants, Roberts is responsible for managing day-to-day operations and strategic planning; annual business planning and preparation of the company’s operating budget; involvement in major project presentations to prospective clients; and leadership succession planning.
“Gayle Roberts is a true role model for all women engineers in an industry that is grossly under-represented by women in leadership positions,” says Gregs Thomopulos, CEO of Stanley Consultants. “Under her leadership, Stanley has remained profitable and increased its industry ranking despite the downturn caused by the economic recession. Gayle leads with openness, fairness and integrity, and has earned admiration and respect both internally and externally.”
Roberts began her career as a process engineer at Stanley and received subsequent promotions, from project principal to industrial market leader to business leader. Within 20 years, she was promoted to senior vice president, and in addition to holding key management positions, she has been involved in other aspects of Stanley’s operations, including the marketing committee, board of directors and management committee.
Active in the engineering profession, Roberts serves as a mentor in the Leadership Stanley program, routinely speaks to MBA students and shares her experiences with women in the Quad City program “Growing Women CEOs.” She is a member of the St. Ambrose University board of trustees, the Iowa State University chemical and biological engineering department advisory council, the Iowa American Council of Engineering Companies board of directors, and the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Roberts holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from St. Ambrose University.
The Upward Mobility Award is presented to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of engineering and/or technical management. The award recognizes someone who has risen within her organization to a significant management position in which she is able to influence the decision-making process. This year’s Upward Mobility Award was presented Saturday, November 5 at WE10, the Society’s Annual Conference. WE10 took place at the Orange County Convention Center, Nov. 4-6, in Orlando, FL, and more than 5,300 attendees included collegians and professionals from the industry, government and academia.
