The Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network has announced it will host a networking event featuring Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space, at Pack Expo Las Vegas. Ochoa will share her experiences as an astronaut, including thoughts on building diverse teams during her keynote address.
Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space on April 8, 1993, when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the shuttle Discovery. She logged nearly 1,000 hours over four space missions, leading onboard scientific activities, and serving as flight engineer during the launch, rendezvous and entry phases of the mission.
In 2013, Ochoa was named the director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, becoming the first Hispanic and the second female director to hold this position. She retired in 2018.
“Ellen Ochoa’s historic career with NASA is full of experiences that will interest and enlighten everyone – women and men – at Pack Expo,” Tracy Stout, vice president, marketing and communications, PMMI, said in a statement. “She is a trailblazer, and her passion for getting more women and minorities into STEM fields will inspire all who attend this special event.”
PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies) is a trade association made up of companies that manufacture packaging, processing and packaging-related converting machinery in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Pack Expo is part of the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network’s effort to spotlight women’s contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and support women in packaging and processing industries.
“A key factor to women’s advancement in male-dominated industries is creating effective networks and learning how to leverage them,” says Stout. “This event is an opportunity for women to hear from an innovative, accomplished leader as well as connect with their peers.”
PPWLN aims to expand the presence and influence of women in packaging and processing by recruiting, retaining and advancing women’s careers in the industry.
To learn more and register for the complimentary breakfast event, visit pmmi.org/womens-leadership-network.
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