From exhibit booth attendee to committee chair
By Stefanie Velez | TLT Volunteer's Voice February 2026
It’s time to reflect on my decade of learning and growing with STLE.
When I first walked into an STLE annual meeting back in 2016, I was the eager new professional. My main mission was simple: attend the educational courses, absorb whatever commercial and technical talks I could from other companies and try not to spill coffee while manning the Münzing exhibit booth. I was there to learn, to network and to generally figure out my place in the complex world of lubrication and tribology.
Fast forward almost 10 years, and my role has flipped completely—and the view from the other side is incredible.
Somewhere along the way, the student became the teacher. The educational courses I once sat in, diligently taking notes, are now ones I’m asked to lead. For the commercial talks I used to just listen to, I’m now the one up on stage, sharing our company’s latest insights.
This shift didn’t happen overnight; it was a gradual, organic process fueled entirely by the opportunities STLE provides. The turning point for me was realizing that the best way to truly master a topic is to teach it, to distill it down to its core components for others.
My involvement deepened significantly when I took on a leadership role with the STLE Metalworking Fluid Technical Committee. Now, instead of just showing up, I’m helping to shape the very fabric of the STLE annual meeting—chasing down abstracts, managing speakers and ensuring the talks we present are on the cutting edge of our field. This isn’t just administration; it’s being a vital part of advancing the science we all rely on.
But the learning goes far beyond the big annual meeting. My STLE volunteering also takes me on the road, where I travel to STLE local sections to give technical talks and offer webinars from my office. These experiences are priceless. You meet people face to face, hear their real-world problems and realize that even the simplest questions can spark the most profound discussions.
What has STLE truly given me? In short:
growth.
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Professional clarity. Volunteering has forced me to be articulate, confident and knowledgeable. It’s a testing ground for presenting ideas, managing complex logistics and leading a diverse group of professionals. The confidence I gained helping to chair a committee at STLE directly translated into opportunities outside the organization.
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The wider network. Getting involved in STLE and meeting new people led me directly to other fantastic volunteering experiences, like ASTM International. The skills I learned in STLE made it easy for me to jump into helping write essential test standards and even taking the lead as vice chair in the ASTM Committee E34.
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A continuous education. STLE is a living, breathing library of knowledge. The people, from industry veterans to young researchers, are always pushing boundaries. Whether I’m presenting or just moderating a session, I’m always learning something new, keeping my knowledge fresh and relevant.
My journey from a booth attendant to a committee chair has been an immense source of personal and professional satisfaction. If you are reading this and sitting on the fence about getting more involved in STLE, or any technical society:
do it. The return on investment in your time is astronomical. You don’t just volunteer for STLE; you volunteer for your own future.
It’s truly a place where you can start as a student and leave as a leader. And, honestly? I wouldn’t trade this decade of learning for anything.
Stefanie Velez is industrial applications manager at Münzing. You can reach her at S.Velez@munzing.com.