Return to Headlines

2023 Women in STEM Event

Women in STEM panelists

Panelists left to right: Robbie Hardy, Cyndi Aragon,Twyla N. Garrett, Carrie Peele, Kathy Pavlik, Monica Smiley

 

Apex Friendship High’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Club hosted the 2023 Women in Stem event on Thursday, April 27 in the school’s media center. WISE is a club aimed at empowering and supporting women to become involved and excel in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

 

The WISE Club sponsor, science teacher Nancy Cattrell, welcomed STEM professionals to lead a financial literacy activity, share their career experiences, and participate in small group mentoring discussions with student attendees. "The Women in STEM event is a wonderful event that brings together STEM professionals and high school students interested in STEM. Students can learn about careers in STEM and network with local professionals. The event has helped my students obtain jobs, internships, and connections for higher education," said Ms. Cattrell.

 

Enterprising Women Magazine Publisher and CEO Monica Smiley kicked off the event and facilitated the panel discussion. Enterprising Women Magazine is a print and digital publication with over a million subscribers in 185 countries. Ms. Smiley also started the Enterprising Women Foundation to help support programming in local high schools to mentor, inspire and influence young women on their path to excellence in STEM-related programs across the country.

 

Photo of students

 

Financial literacy activity

 

Duke University Senior Behavioral Researcher Dr. Rebecca Rayburn-Reeves led a financial literacy activity. Dr. Rayburn-Reeves works at Duke University’s Center for Advanced Hindsight, which is a research center that partners with health insurance companies and financial organizations. Students played the NOVA Financial Lab game to learn more about managing money.

 

Dr. Rayburn-Reeves

 

Panel discussion and small group mentoring

 

STEM professionals and entrepreneurs shared their personal challenges, successes, and advice with attendees. Panelists included: Robbie Hardy, Mentor In Residence at Duke New Ventures; Cyndi Aragon, NC Water Heaters; Twyla N. Garrett, Growth Management Services Inc.; Carrie Peele, Athena of Triangle; Kathy Pavlik,  Johnny's Pizza; Monica Smiley, Enterprising Women Foundation.

 

Student attendees

 

The discussion was followed by a catered networking reception. The reception allowed high school students to spend time with professionals in small groups to learn more about career opportunities in STEM.   

 

Small group discussion

 

STEM Professionals who participated in the event include:

 

  • Cyndi  Aragon, NC Water Heaters
  • Jennifer Capps, NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Nicole Chiles, NC Department of Environmental Quality
  • Rebecca Dodder, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Hayley Flores and Cristina Maldonado, NCSU Biomanufacturing and Training Education Center (BTEC)
  • Twyla N. Garrett, Growth Management Services, Inc.
  • Robbie Hardy, Mentor in Residence at Duke New Ventures
  • Michele Heintz, CSL-Seqirus | A World Leader in Influenza Vaccines
  • Kieran Jones, NC State Bureau of Investigation
  • Tiffany Pate, NC State Bureau of Investigation
  • Kathy Pavlik, Johnny’s Pizza and IBM retiree 
  • Carrie Peele, Athena of the Triangle
  • Akshaya Polaepalli, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
  • Monica Smiley, Enterprising Women Foundation
  • Tanya Spero, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Cathy Stroup, State Employees Credit Union (SECU)

 

Event Sponsors

  • Enterprising Women Magazine

  • American Chemical Society, NC Chapter