On September 23, 2025, Maine SWE had the privilege of hosting a powerful and engaging workshop led by Julie Guerette-Vafaee from HumanAlyze Consulting. The session centered on intergenerational communication and explored key themes such as career management, team dynamics, and change management. From the start, Julie captivated the audience with personal storytelling, thought-provoking questions, and insightful frameworks that resonated deeply with participants from all backgrounds and experience levels.

Throughout the evening, attendees were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and bring in their perspectives. One slide walked us through a structured reflection exercise on identifying strengths and blind spots, while another laid out a roadmap for building more meaningful professional networks. As conversations bubbled up in pairs and small groups, the virtual breakout rooms were alive with energy and exchange. It was clear that the presentation was not just informational, but transformational in its approach.

What made this event especially meaningful was how Julie generously offered her time and knowledge at no cost, as a gift to Maine SWE and the broader community. Her willingness to share so freely reminded us all of the power of giving back and supporting one another’s growth. We received enthusiastic feedback from attendees who felt more motivated, more connected, and better equipped to take next steps in their careers.

Thank you again to Julie and to everyone who helped bring the event together. We look forward to carrying forward the insights and connections formed during the event into our future meetings and initiatives. If you couldn’t make it, stay tuned — we hope to host similar sessions soon.