Ellen Pifer: From Beaumont to Boeing

Author: Gay Eyerman

Ellen Pifer’s engineering career is taking flight and she’s ready to help others

In fourth grade at Gesu school, Ellen Pifer ’09 thought she had her whole life planned out. Describing herself as a “book nerd” who did extra math and science homework, she aspired to attend Beaumont and become an engineer with NASA. Ellen’s role model was her mother, Molly Stevenson, a 1979 Beaumont graduate and civil engineer. Her father, Jeff Pifer, had experience with flying small airplanes and encouraged her to take flying lessons at Lost Nation Airport in the summer after her junior year at Beaumont. “Before the wheels left the ground, I was sold,” recalls Ellen. She completed her first solo flight in her senior year.

At Saint Louis University, Ellen studied aerospace engineering and was selected from 1,200 applicants for a Boeing internship. Since graduating from SLU in 2013, Ellen has worked at Boeing in the Seattle area. Though she no longer flies, she is on track for an impressive career at Boeing, already advancing to Lead Flight Controls Integration Engineer. Ellen now manages operations, strategy, and efficiency improvements for the multi-million-dollar Flight Controls and Hydraulics Systems test lab for Boeing’s new 777X.

We asked Ellen about her life, career and Beaumont experience.

HOW DID YOUR FAMILY INFLUENCE YOUR CAREER PATH?

I idolized my grandfather—an internationally renowned structural engineering consultant for nuclear power plants. We were very like-minded and had great conversations. He fed me insights about being in a competitive industry, saying it helps that you’re a woman, but be able to “walk the talk.” My mom was also a huge influence. She went to the University of Notre Dame and worked as a civil engineer. She was always very engaged in our homework, especially math and science. (Ellen’s sisters Kate ‘10 and Macie ‘14 also attended Beaumont.)

HOW DID YOUR BEAUMONT EDUCATION MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE?

One of the most important things I got from Beaumont was how to speak the truth and be confident outside my comfort zone. There were several teachers who inspired this. Mr. Corr was the best calculus teacher I ever had. He did a wonderful job helping me to find my voice in that class—and calculus was definitely outside my comfort zone! And I hated English, but Mrs. Bihuniak made Honors English one of the most engaging, challenging classes I’ve ever taken. I am a huge perfectionist and teachers at Beaumont taught me I will fail sometimes and to be okay with that. They pushed us and gave us a safe and inviting place to experiment with navigating uncomfortable experiences—while still being true to yourself. They taught us to be okay with asking stupid questions. It’s really common for women to lose sight of the value their voice brings. When I graduated, one of my teachers said, “I hope you never stop asking questions.” I use this at Boeing when I perceive a group doesn’t grasp a concept.

DO YOU SEE MORE WOMEN ENTERING ENGINEERING?

Boeing is really pushing hard to engage more women in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering & Math] at a younger age and to increase the number of women at Boeing.

There’s a drastic shortage of women at upper levels of experience, with only 8 percent women. Boeing is taking a hard look at this, as they’re missing out on women’s unique perspective and the diverse ideas we bring to the table that can drive innovation.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO CURRENT BEAUMONT STUDENTS?

Be bold. Be courageous, whatever avenue you take to express that. Focus on what makes you happy. Identify your passion in life. It’s a lot to ask in high school, and I certainly didn’t know all that. But pursue those things. It’s not the content you learn in high school, it’s about the process of learning. It’s the camaraderie with fellow students to achieve those goals.

HOW DID BEAUMONT SUPPORT OR FORM YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH?

Beaumont's focus on Catholic faith education laid the foundation upon which some of my core values were formed. They created many opportunities to practice reflecting, journaling, or voicing intentions in class, retreats, or Mass. This helped illuminate what was important to me and a source for making important life decisions.

ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN IN HIGH SCHOOL?

To be more compassionate with myself. I held myself to very high, unrealistic expectations. I also put those onto others. Because of that, I shut people out. If I hadn’t done that, I would’ve had different relationships.

ANY FAVORITE MOVIES?

“Hidden Figures” [a 2016 film about black, female mathematicians at NASA during the 1960s Space Race]. I’ve seen it three times! It’s probably the best movie I’ve ever seen that portrays women in strong leadership roles. It definitely struck a chord with me.

YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

I want to become a leader who expands a culture at Boeing—one that promotes our reputation as a center of technical excellence, one that invests in people’s futures, and grows their technical capabilities.

ANY THOUGHTS ON WOMEN BALANCING A FAMILY AND CAREER?

Pick the right partner. Pick a partner who will support your career goals and own a fair share of all other responsibilities whether domestic, financial, or child care.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW STEM WING AND FOCUS AT BEAUMONT?

I love it! I was thrilled to hear it and can’t wait to see it. I set up a fund for students at Beaumont (see below) who want to pursue engineering. It will also fund continued learning for teachers, to invest in materials or anything the school needs to engage students in what’s happening in STEM. I want to inspire young women to start thinking about a career. The earlier, the better.

In 2015, Ellen Pifer made the initial donation to start the Stevenson Family Engineering Fund (named for her mother’s family). This fund will be used to promote women in engineering through internships, travel to national meetings, or advanced teacher training. Ellen’s goal is to eventually create a fully endowed scholarship. Her employer, Boeing, annually matches her contribution. For more information about contributing to our scholarship endowments, call (216) 325-7328

Original Article From: https://www.beaumontschool.org/alumnae/beaumont-news/2018-fall-beaumont-news