Doctoral students Acurio, Grube selected for leadership workshop in Greece

Chemical Engineering doctoral students Karen Acurio and Alyssa Grube are among 25 women graduate students and postdocs working in energy fields who have been selected to participate in the Epistimi-ACG-LUCE Summer Leadership Workshop for Women in Energy for a week in July in Athens, Greece.

Seeking to empower women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM), the American College of Greece (ACG) is collaborating with Epistimi, Inc., a nonprofit founded by Angeliki Artemis (Diane) Rigos, MIT faculty and an ACG alumna. This partnership aims to address the critical need for leadership training among women in STEMM, particularly those working in the energy sector.

Recognizing the urgency of cultivating leaders for the global transition to a net-zero carbon world, Epistimi, Inc., with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation, is offering a one-week leadership workshop that focuses on developing leadership competencies and forming a global network. 

“On a personal level, this opportunity instills in me a profound sense of responsibility to make the most of this experience,” Acurio said. “This workshop will provide me with knowledge and tools to empower and support fellow women as they pursue their aspirations.

“I am most looking forward to immersing myself in a transformative learning environment focused on leadership development for women in energy and at the same time learning in a diverse environment with other fellow women with different personal, cultural and educational experiences. I foresee this workshop as a keystone in my career journey, empowering me to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and inspire other women to excel in STEMM fields.”

Grube, who has an associate’s degree in international engineering and leadership development from Penn State University, said she’s hoping to learn more about leadership in advanced academia.

“I am looking forward to the networking opportunities that will be available as part of the workshop, and I believe this will help to further develop my network of friends and professionals for future collaborations,” said Grube, who also has a deep family tie to this professional opportunity.

“On a personal note, this is also a chance to visit where my family is from,” she said. “My mother’s side is of Greek heritage, so it's going back to my roots.”