The mission of STEM girl social network is to
"create a network that increases the number of confident, socially responsible young women entering STEM fields by developing their proficiency in foundational subjects, promoting leadership, and providing mentorship opportunities."
This is our first event in a monthly series of events targeted to promoting gender diversity in fields women are historically underrepresented in.
How do we address this problem? A lot has to do with the culture in these fields, as well of lack of encouragement from parents, community, mentors, and role models to have young women pursue and stay in these industries. Our panel discussion will center on how to increase the pipeline of women in STEM fields. There will be a woman in Mechanical Engineering, Tech Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Computer Science to speak on the challenges and successes in their journey of their respective fields. The audience will engage with panelists to learn how to encourage other young women to enter these fields.
Who is this for? Parents of curious young girls. Women looking to switch careers and enter STEM fields. Women and men in STEM looking to encourage gender equality in these fields. Men who are looking to increase gender diversity in their organizations. Please share this very important event with everyone you know. Recruiters for technical companies. People who mentor or raise young women. People who would like to become more involved with STEM girl social network and promoting a brighter future for our nation’s young women.
Panelist #1: Nikisha Horn is a professional cosmetic scientist with over 15 years of experience Nikisha served as Group Leader for L’Oreal USA, where she led the hair care and hair styling development for brands such as Mizani, Dark and Lovely, Optimum Amla Legend and Dark and Lovely Au Naturale. Nikisha is an inventor on several patents and has lectured to other scientists and cosmetologists in Paris, France and Johannesburg, South Africa on hair care technology.Nikisha earned her B.S. in Chemistry cum laude from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Toastmasters, International, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and frequently volunteers with Student Science Fair, Inc.
Panelist #2: Jessica L. Williams is currently a Technology Infrastructure Services Manager at McCormick Place. Her team is responsible for all Internet needs (wired and wireless) for shows, conventions and meetings within the space. She has a Masters Degree in Information Systems Management and holds multiple Cisco certifications in routing, switching and wireless. She spends her off hours helping female entrepreneurs conquer their technology firsts and build awesome online businesses as the founder of Tech Biz Gurl, LLC.
© Illinois Science and Technology Coalition
Illustration by Dieter Braun
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