On Monday, March 9, the Project Fibonacci Foundation will host more than 200 students, educators, and influential women from across the Mohawk Valley for the 4th Annual STEAM Women Rising Symposium, an event designed to inspire young women to explore leadership and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). NYSTEC is the presenting sponsor of the symposium.
Students from twelve regional schools will participate in a full day of programming focused on mentorship, career exploration, and regional workforce development. The symposium aims to bridge the gap between inspiration and opportunity by connecting students directly with women working in a wide range of industries.
“STEAM Women Rising is about showing students what’s possible,” said Michelle Minicozzi, head event coordinator for the symposium. “By connecting them directly with women who are leaders in their fields, we’re helping students see real career pathways and giving them the confidence to imagine themselves in those roles.”
A centerpiece of the event is the introduction of HERizon Hubs, interactive breakout sessions where students rotate through small-group discussions with professional women representing a wide range of STEAM careers. Featured hubs and group-panel leaders in each include:
- Health, Medicine & Helping Careers – including Dr. Kasey Penoyer, Assistant Dean of Health Sciences and Director of Dental Hygiene at Mohawk Valley Community College
- Skilled Trades & Breaking the Glass Ceiling – with Dawn Roller, Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Indium Corporation
- Art, Design & Creative Technology – featuring Mackenzi Van Slyke Dishman, Senior Visual Communications Manager at C&D Advertising
- Education, Mentorship & Community Impact – with Dr. Patricia Washington, Director of Workforce Development at On Point for College
- Leadership & Entrepreneurship – featuring Barbara Welch-Drozd, Founder and CEO of AndroMetaX
- Technology, Coding & Cyber Safety – including Caroline Bonomo, Senior Software Engineer at BAE Systems
Students will rotate among three different hubs throughout the morning, gaining exposure to a variety of industries, leadership paths, and career opportunities led by experts in their respective fields.
The event will also feature a keynote address from Gianna Michalak, MS, CNS, Board-Certified Clinical Nutrition Specialist and Co-Founder of Root AI Health. Sponsored by The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Michalak will share her story of resilience and innovation while exploring how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are shaping the future of health and science.
In addition to the day’s programming, every participating school will receive a full scholarship for one student to attend the Project Fibonacci Foundation’s 8th Annual STEAM Leadership Conference on the Quantum Realm this summer, a week-long immersive experience focused on hands-on learning, leadership development, and real-world problem solving.
The scholarships are made possible through the support of First Source Federal Credit Union, Nascentia Health, Assured Information Security (AIS), and NYSTEC, organizations committed to investing in the region’s next generation of innovators.
The STEAM Women Rising Symposium is organized by the Project Fibonacci Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to STEAM education, leadership development, and workforce pathways across Central New York.
For more information, visit: 4th Annual STEAM Women Rising Symposium | The Project Fibonacci® Foundation Inc.
