The WHPC Workshop at PEARC25 was a fantastic gathering of people who care deeply about building a more inclusive and supportive Research Computing and Data (RCD) and HPC community. About 36 folks joined us on Monday afternoon, and the energy in the room was great from start to finish.
The workshop started with an invited talk from Kathryn Kelley, Executive Director of the Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation (CASC). Her empowering talk, titled “Ask a Woman for Directions,” was a message that resonated deeply with many of us. The way she framed her career emphasized community and mentors as a compass. Additionally, she provided practical wisdom and genuine inspiration. We are so grateful to have an engaging, thoughtful, and incredibly inspiring speaker! Kathryn’s talked sparked great conversations and helped set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
After the invited talk was a speed networking session. It was fun, interactive, and gave everyone a chance to connect in a meaningful way, whether they were just starting out or already established in their careers.
We returned from coffee break to hear voices from the community who are charting their course through career experiences and professional development, with several coming from WHPC Chapters and Affiliates. Speakers shared honest and relatable stories about their journeys, from navigating burnout to making major career transitions. It was a great reminder that no two paths look the same, and there’s so much to learn from each other’s experiences. These speakers volunteered to share their stories, and we are very grateful for their contributions.
One of our speakers, Sasmita Mohapatra, shared this reflection:
My first experience with Women in HPC at PEARC25 was truly overwhelming. It was an incredible opportunity to network with brilliant, supportive women in the field, and I’m especially grateful for the chance to present on “Strategies for Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion” as part of this inspiring community. A heartfelt thanks to WHPC for making that possible, and to the PEARC Early Career Travel Award, which gave me the opportunity to attend the conference in person. I even got to meet Taylor Brown, Claire Stirm, Suzanne Gardner, etc. and take a group photo with fellow travel award winners — a highlight I’ll never forget.
The workshop overall succeeded in creating exactly what Kathryn spoke about – a community where we can ask for directions, share our collective career maps, and support each other.