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Ecolab's Dayna Johnson Recognized by the Society of Women Engineers
Director of technical consulting, Industrial, to be honored with prestigious award for her leadership in engineering and commitment to advancing diversity.
When Dayna Johnson first began her journey as an engineer in college, she joined the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) — an organisation dedicated to empowering women in engineering and technology.
Now, over two decades later, Dayna will receive the APEX Fellow Grade Award at the organisation’s annual WE Conference. The award honours women with at least 20 years of experience as SWE professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their careers while advancing the objectives and goals of SWE. Like at Ecolab, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are at the core of SWE’s mission and as a leader in both organizations, Dayna has upheld these values at a high level. The conference will be held in Chicago at the end of October.
“Last year we had over 18,000 people attend the conference,” said Johnson, who is the former president of SWE’s board of directors. “When we look at what it means to be a woman engineer and how hard it can be in the field and in the industry, it is so impactful to have that support network there to help you.”
Building Diverse Teams
The SWE Conference is the world's largest conference for women in engineering and technology in the world, bringing together women of diverse backgrounds, professions and experiences. Attending the WE conference and similar events reinforces Ecolab's commitment to DEI. Our Talent Acquisition Campus Recruitment team actively supports and participates in these events, helping the company attract and nurture a diverse range of talent from various organizations.
People are seeking companies that prioritize the importance of diversity, and Johnson says attending, recruiting and sharing Ecolab’s story at events like this shows prospective employees and leaders how deeply embedded DEI is within Ecolab teams.
“It’s no secret that diverse teams perform better and do better,” said Johnson. “There’s been an emphasis on the team I’m working with to make sure those diverse perspectives are heard. We have diverse schools of thought, and going to a conference like this not only shows our commitment to doing that, but to continuing to improve in that space.”
Working Together
Building an inclusive culture and supporting the recruitment and development of women at Ecolab ultimately helps our employees and our business thrive. From allyship to mentorship, a team approach makes a difference at the company every day.
“If we’re talking about trying to make any strides in diversity we really need to focus on the people who can take our message and help us amplify it,” said Johnson. “When I think about encouraging women, I absolutely want them to be in SWE and go to conferences, but I also want them to work through their careers with mentors and different sponsors to figure out the big picture.”
One way Ecolab does this is through its 11 robust employee resource groups (ERGs), each representing unique backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Additionally, professional development tools like Career Hub and Opportunity Marketplace open the door for professional and personal development for all employees.
Ultimately, when we work together and value all employees and the experience they bring to the table, Ecolab will continue to grow and find success.