Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1212069
REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2020 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 149 and it was fantastic! You tell such a life-affirm- ing story. Elaine Larsen: It's fun. I'm 52 years old, and when I think back to where I was even 10 years ago, the confidence that has grown inside me electrifies the room. All of the strong women in that room supported me when I went on stage and told my story and my truth. It's awe- some to get that positive feedback. Johnson: Your message really was about "going out and doing it." You talked about not being afraid and finding support wherever you can. Larsen: Absolutely. Johnson: Is your crew all female? Larsen: We have a lot of women on my team, but we don't just let women apply. It's an open environment. When they walk in, they know that I'm not going to judge them. I'm going to give them a chance to have a seat, but they have to earn it; they can't just think it's expected. This is the real deal because my life, and the lives of others, are attached to these jobs, so they have to be willing to put in the work. Johnson: Even in the electronics industry, there's still not true gender equality, but we're working on it. Larsen: By now, gender shouldn't matter. I hope we'll reach gender equality someday. Until then, it's important for people, especially women, to talk about the issues at hand and bounce ideas back off from each other, and network. Who better to champion equality? Johnson: I find a lot of parallels between what is happening in our industry and what hap- pens in your profession, being in the male- dominated field of motorsports. Larsen: Absolutely. Your brand, including who you are and what you do, is so important.