EmpowHER TOGETHER Part 2: Michelle Rybak on Confidence and Community
Welcome back to our “EmpowHER TOGETHER” blog series, where we highlight the experiences and insights of remarkable women in the power industry. In our first installment, we spoke with May Scally, COO, Canadian Operations, about mentorship and navigating male-dominated fields.
Today, we feature an interview with Michelle Rybak, a seasoned client services manager at Doble Engineering and key leader of the EmpowHER TOGETHER initiative, to discuss her experience and journey in the power industry, the challenges she’s faced, the power of confidence and community, and her vision for the future of women in this field.
Q: What motivated you to pursue a career in the power industry?
A: My journey began with a degree in electrical engineering, focusing on analog systems. At the time, computers weren’t as popular, but I was drawn to analog technology—it just made sense to me. I’ve always been a math and science person.
After taking a break to raise my kids, I was eager to get back into the engineering space. I was fortunate to find an opportunity at Doble Engineering. Doble Engineering is very open to work-life balance which made it easy to be a working mom, and I eventually built my career here.
Q: What would you say has been the most challenging part about getting started or working in this industry?
A: In a male-dominated field, having an extra layer of self-confidence is crucial. You really have to say to yourself, “I can do this.” It’s about believing in your place in the industry and pushing forward, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Q: What’s been the most rewarding aspect of your career?
A: Being a client service engineer is incredibly rewarding due to the variety of roles it entails. One day, I could be answering phones at my desk; the next, I might be at a conference in a suit, or at a substation with a hard hat and steel-toed boots. The daily opportunities for learning and excelling are vast and diverse. Doble is a fantastic company that has consistently supported my career path.
Q: What are some exciting opportunities you see for women in the power industry today?
A: The industry is opening up more and more for women. There are fewer barriers now, and many New England based companies have women in leadership positions. This creates a more accepting environment. Although the field is still male-dominated, leadership is becoming more inclusive, which is encouraging. If you see an opportunity and do your best, I think the doors are open.
Q: What do you think the industry could do better to support women in this field?
A: It starts with early STEM education. Power engineering might not seem as glamorous as working for companies like Tesla or NASA, but it’s on the cutting edge of a growing field with plenty of opportunities.
We need to reach out to young students and show them that this career path can be fun and fulfilling. Representation is key—when young girls and boys see someone like me in a hard hat, it changes their perception of what’s possible. It’s about opening the doors and showing the intriguing aspects of our work.
Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the power industry?
A: You can have both a family and a career. It’s all about setting expectations with those around you and prioritizing work-life balance. Don’t let fear hold you back. With hard work and dedication, you can make it work.
Q: What was the inspiration behind starting EmpowHER TOGETHER? How did it begin and what drove you to start this initiative?
A: The initiative was actually Doble President Matt Carrara’s brainchild. He’s very passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). When I was asked to lead the initiative, I jumped at the opportunity. This past Doble Conference marked my 15th, and I’ve noticed that women still only make up about 10% of attendees. I see the need to create opportunities within our community, and with top-level support, we were able to run with it. The passion I have for this initiative made it a natural fit.
Q: What’s the response been since starting the program so far?
A: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our first event, a women’s networking dinner, had about 12-13 attendees. But the excitement and sense of necessity were palpable. Women felt more comfortable admitting they were new or had never attended a conference before. The positive environment and unanimous support have confirmed that this is something we should continue.
Q: What do you hope to achieve through the EmpowHER TOGETHER networking group and its impact on women in the electrical power industry?
A: I hope to see an evolution where women and allies form a strong community within our industry. Mentorship is key to providing opportunities for young engineers and seasoned professionals to learn from each other. Outreach is also important; we need to ensure that women at our companies know about and benefit from these opportunities. I see EmpowHER TOGETHER growing and maturing over time, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our series!
Additional Information:
● Blog: EmpowHer Together Part 1: May Scally on Mentorship and Microaggressions
● Blog: Who We Are At Doble: Our Core Values
● Blog: Why You Should Start Your Career at Doble
