[voidlogic]

"Doing that for the reasons you are suggesting is hypocritical."

I think that is your own projection; The OP already mentioned that his female engineer is an awesome engineer, so I'm assuming she is qualified to be there from an engineering perspective (and I'm not saying she needs to be the only engineer there). And the organization is looking for a check to make sure the hiring team is not discriminating against women, having a woman there hopefully should help. At a minimum it would prevent outright sexist remarks during the discussion of candidates as making them in her presence would reasonably constitute sexual harassment. Also not to be over looked, the presence of a successful female engineer from the hiring organization may also make female candidates more comfortable.

As for dedication, I mean dedication to not over looking awesome female candidates, intentionally or otherwise.

[jasonlotito]

> I think that is your own projection

It's not. Regardless, everything else you say ignores the fact that you are bringing the woman in specifically because you think she'll be better at hiring women. It's a strategy.

She's in there not because she's a great engineer, but because she is a woman who happens to be a great engineer.

[voidlogic]

I think one persons "you think she'll be better at hiring women" is easily another persons "she'll be good at making sure women are not unfairly turned away".

>>It's a strategy. Yes it is. It is a strategy to avoid over looking awesome female candidates, intentionally or otherwise. Calling this a strategy is fair, calling is hypocrisy is not.

>>She's in there not because she's a great engineer, but because she is a woman who happens to be a great engineer.

No, she is there because she is a member of a group you think you may be discriminating against AND she is a member of the group you are seeking to hire for. Like you said it is a strategy.

You seem offended by what I think are very pragmatic ways to deal with the issue, care to suggest your alternatives? If you recall the OP is looking for legal ways to address the issue-