Helene Michael

Helene Michael earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from Montana State University in 1985 and launched a successful career at Boeing. After serving in various positions at the company, including manufacturing engineer, engineering supervisor and factory supervisor, she was named vice president of 737 manufacturing operations. In 1993, she represented Boeing at the international welding conference in Kiev, Ukraine, and Moscow, Russia, where delegates from five nations gathered to discuss the need for an international aerospace welding exchange. Michael worked for the company for more than a quarter of a century before retiring in 2011. Michael has contributed to the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering’s advisory council since 2007 and has been involved with MSU’s Women in Engineering student chapter. She was the keynote speaker at the Women in Engineering dinner in 2005 and 2011. In 2013, MSU awarded Michael an honorary doctorate in engineering. In 2014, Michael joined the MSU Alumni Foundation board of governors and the building committee for the Norm Asbjornson Innovation Center. In addition, she has actively mentored students participating in the MSU Mentoring Program since the kickoff of the program in 2013.

Helene Michael, retired vice president at Boeing, is known as a great advocate for women in engineering.