Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM

Dr. Linda Schadler is the Dean of The College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Vermont (UVM). She has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania where she studied the micromechanical behavior of fiber and polymer composites and a B.S. in Material Science from Cornell University. Dr. Schadler has many publications and academic awards. She is an outdoor enthusiast and has...

Angela Baltes is a Data Scientist/Analyst specialization in generating insight from data. She has a Bachelor's Degrees in Criminology, a Master's Degrees in Public Administration, a Master's Degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Biomedical Informatics with an emphasis in Public Health Informatics. She is a new mom who just began pursuing another degree in mathematics - all...

Alana McNulty is the Chief Business Officer at eFFector Therapeutics where she leads corporate development and business development. She has held various leadership roles including Chief Financial Officer, VP of Finance, Executive Director throughout her career. Alana has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Genetics and an MBA in Finance & Marketing. Episode Notes Alana shares how her back...

Anna Sannö is a Research Strategy Manager at Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) in Sweden. In addition to her technical role, Anna works within Volvo and the Vera program, a series of innovation workshops dedicated to encourage girls to explore careers in technology and engineering. The Vera program is named after Sweden's first female engineer, Vera Sandberg. Anna holds a PhD in Innovation an...

Siena (12) and Ilyana (11) are two girls that are in Project Scientist. Project Scientist is a program designed to inspire young girls to consider STEM careers. Project scientist aims to nurture these future scientists to be tomorrow’s leaders and be change makers. Project Scientist's founder, Sandy Marshall, was previously a guest on Episode 60. This episode brings the girls (a.k.a. scientis...

Kay Paulus is software engineering manager at a Software as a Service company in rural Minnesota. She has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, and transitioned into software engineering early in her career. Episode Notes Kay shares her career journey and how life sometimes has its own path, regardless of her well designed plans that she h...

Carmelo Piazza and his wife, Karen, own and run the Brooklyn Preschool of Science, or more accurately, the Brooklyn Preschools of Science since they have three locations. Carmelo, a former Science Teacher, founded the schools as a way to use his love and hands on teaching methods to holistically educate preschoolers. Using science as a base, they teach math, art, language skills and much more in a...

Donna Loughlin is the Founder and CEO of LMGPR, a PR and corporate communications company that focuses with technology and innovation companies to help them develop PR strategies. She is also the host of the podcast "Before It Happened", a podcast podcast featuring visionaries and the moments and events that inspired them. She has bachelor's and master's degrees in Journalism....

Andrea Harris is the Chief Empowerment Executive at Tools & Tiaras, an organization founded to expose girls (and boys) to the trades. She is also the co-host of the podcast Tradeswomen Talk , and in her spare time (a.k.a. her day job) she is a cement mason at the New York Fire Department. Andrea has been a cement mason for 25 years and wants to share the importance of the trades and the great...

Gina Covarrubias works with people in STEM who are looking for some guidance and direction in their career path. She uses her own life experiences as a young aerospace engineer who never found the right fit in engineering to help others who find themselves in similar situations. She pivoted from engineering into a life coaching program and launched her business Deliberate Doing in Fall of 2019. Ep...

Shailvi Wakhlu is a leader in data analytics. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering and has been coding since she was eight years old. Shailvi shares her journey from computer engineering into data analytics and the importance of developing leadership skills. Episode Notes Shailvi shares her experience in leadership in technology. She has held a variety of roles from large tech...

Sandy Marshall is the Founder and CEO of Project Scientist, a program designed to inspire young girls to consider STEM careers. Project scientist aims to nurture these future scientists to be tomorrow's leaders and be change makers. Sandy founded Project Scientist to fill a void she saw when looking for a STEM program for her daughter. The program has flourished to multiple states and is emba...

Dr. Angelique Adams is an entrepreneur, scientist, engineer, mother, and philanthropist. She recently started her own company - Angelique Adams Media Solutions, LLC and is passionate about leadership and developing her team and now clients. She holds a PhD in Fuel Science, MS in Fuel Science, BS in Chemical Engineering, and an MBA from MIT. Episode Notes Dr. Angelique Adams brings multiple decades...

Becky Mueller is a crash test engineer - her dream job from the time she was 10 years old. She has BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and is passionate about saving lives through the work she does to improve vehicle safety. Episode Notes Becky dreamed of being a crash test engineer since she was 10 years old and saw a crash test commercial on TV. Her love of math and science as a child pr...

Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. She has Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and a PhD, all in Chemical Engineering. She holds 72 patents! She was recently featured in the documentary "Not the Science Type", a documentary that premiered during the Tribeca Film Festival this summer. She is the author of "The Heart of Science: Engineering...

Sinenhlanhla Sikhosana recently received her PhD in Applied Mathematics with a research focus in Astrophysics. She also holds Bachelor's and Masters degrees in Applied Mathematics and Pure Physics. As a young girl in a small village in South Africa, Sinenhlanhla had big dreams, but few role models. She did, however, have a grandmother and a mother that encouraged her to think outside their tr...

Alana Esty has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering. She uses data analytics in the healthcare industry to improve patient care. She is also the host of the podcast “Health Analytic Insights Podcast”. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up , Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check Alana shares her story of entering the Bioengineering field and...

Gayathri Shukla works in digital transformation in the mining industry in Canada. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. She is founder of Campfire Kinship, an organization that uses story telling to help teams and individuals build empathy, find their strengths, and find belonging. Story telling is Gayathri's super power. Episode Notes Music used in the podcas...

Evie Antholis is a Mechanical Engineer. She graduated in 2020 and began working during the pandemic. Evie shares her experience during college and her first year on the job. She is also interested in clothing design and sewing and we discuss how spacial relationships that we think of in engineering terms apply in sewing as well. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up , Silverman Sound...

Megan has a Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry. After 11 years in the workforce, Megan made the decision to stay home with her two kids and later to home school them. They have lived on a houseboat in Ketchikan, Alaska and then spent two years traveling the continental US in an RV. Her chemistry degree provides a foundation for teaching, a passion for learning, and experimentation she brings to their...

Most of us have had to deal with challenging work situations such as microaggressions, aggressions, harassment and others. In this episode, Dr. Tanya Hewitt provides insight and tools to equip us to better handle those situations. Tanya is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Safety Compliance and specializes in helping organizations become better, more effective work places. She has a PhD in Population...

Jodi Bednar is an Energy & Utility consulting practice leader. She has been in the telecommunications and consulting industries for 30 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Management and a degree in Executive Management in the Women's Leadership Program at Yale University. She shares her vast work and life experiences and the importance of being able to bring your...

Nicole is passionate about helping overlooked women in STEM become influential, so they can confidently unlock new opportunities for themselves, get their employers saying “we need you on this job!” and make a bigger impact. As a Scientist and Positive Psychology Coach, Nicole helps her clients strategically turn their career frustrations into a renewed love for their work. Episode Notes Music use...

Sheila Wells is a Telecommunications Engineer in the utility industry. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Informations Systems – Communications Technology. She has worked in the utility industry for 30 years and wants to encourage more women to go into the industry. Sheila has a deep passion for her career and life. Episode Notes Music used in the podcas...

Janet Phan works as a consultant in the intersection of technology and business in a global role in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She is the Founder of Thriving Elements, a mentoring program for underrepresented girls in STEM. She has a book, "Boldly You" coming out this fall where she shares her experience growing up in America as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees. She is a key...