Elyse McMillen
(She/Her)
Systems Engineer
Elyse is spearheading efforts to accelerate the mining industry’s transition to clean energy as a Sr. Systems Engineer at First Mode, a global leader in carbon reduction technology dedicated to reducing heavy industry reliance on fossil fuels. Her work focuses on developing decarbonization solutions using hydrogen fuel cell systems to propel fleets toward zero emissions.
Before joining First Mode, Elyse launched her career at Rolls-Royce, leveraging her chemical engineering expertise to evaluate innovative materials and sustainable alternative fuels, additives, and lubricants aimed at reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.
Elyse has held executive board positions at both the local section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Rolls-Royce Women North America. She was a speaker at the 2018 National SWE conference, addressing career advancement opportunities for women in STEMM fields. Recognized for her leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives within STEMM and her technical contributions, Elyse received the WE Local New ELiTE (Emerging Leader in Technology & Engineering) award in 2021. She currently leads First Mode’s Women’s Employee Resource Group, fostering an inclusive environment for women in the company.
Elyse is an enthusiastic outdoorswoman, embracing activities such as backpacking, cycling, skiing, rock/ice climbing, and more. In 2021, she embarked on a transformative journey, hiking approximately 1200 miles along the West Coast of the United States on the Pacific Crest Trail. This experience underscored the fragility of environmental ecosystems and exposed her firsthand to the profound impacts of climate change. In 2024, she successfully summited Tahoma (Rainier), Washington’s highest peak, as part of a fundraising initiative for SheJumps. This organization empowers women by increasing their participation in outdoor activities through adventure, education, and community building. Elyse grew up in the mountains of Colorado (USA) and currently lives near Seattle, WA, USA.
