Opening video for the 2022 STEMMy Awards Ceremony. Video Credit: Blase Pivovar
Now more than ever, those serving in STEMM fields are demonstrating how critical they are to our communities.
While those in STEMM help us stay connected and fight for lifesaving cures, we continue to be inspired
and proud of so many women in STEMM in our own backyard.
At the 9th Annual STEMMy Awards in October 2022, Central Exchange celebrated the accomplishments of twelve women and one corporate hero who are setting trends and breaking barriers in their STEMM fields. These prestigious awards were created to put a well-deserved spotlight on women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine across the greater Kansas City region.
The winners of the STEMMy Awards make changes for a better today and brighter tomorrow. Their influence on a global and local level makes a difference, not just for our community, but around the world and for the next generation of STEMM leaders.
2022 STEMMy Awards Events
Benefactor’s Roundtable Discussion + Happy Hour
SPONSORED BY T-MOBILE
OCTOBER 13, 2022 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM | T-MOBILE OVERLAND PARK CAMPUS
A thought-provoking conversation focusing on women in STEMM.
Followed by drinks and appetizers.
ROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:

KISA CARUTHERS
Lead Electrical Engineer
Burns & McDonnell
2021 WiSTEMM Champion

SONIA HALL
Chief Executive Officer
BioKansas
2022 Honorary Co-Chair

CALA POLTERA
Chief Information Officer
QC Holdings
2022 Honorary Co-Chair
STEMMy Awards Gala Luncheon
OCTOBER 27, 2022 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | FIORELLA’S EVENT SPACE + ONLINE
Recognizing the outstanding 2022 STEMMy Award Honorees at the annual awards luncheon.

FEATURING KEYNOTE:
KARA LOWE
KC Tech Council
Chief Executive Officer
EVENT EMCEED BY:
MICHELLE BOGOWITH
Fox4 WDAF-TV
Meteorologist

Scroll to see a mix of photos from the awards ceremony.
Photo Credit: Ryan Bruce
STUDENT ACHIEVER
Amanda Pierce
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Zdenka Guadarrama
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Frances Young
CORPORATE HERO
Catalent
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Kellie Bartley
RISING TRENDSETTER
Karen Marie Dietze
RISING TRENDSETTER
Pooja Shah
RISING TRENDSETTER
Pamela Tran
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Tiffany Coleman
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Elise Kirchhofer
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Anita Ranhotra
WiSTEMM CHAMPION
Sharita Lurks
WiSTEMM CHAMPION
Fiona Nowling
Student Achiever
AMANDA PIERCE | UMKC
The Student Achiever STEMMy Award recognizes a female college student currently enrolled in a Kansas or Missouri college or university who has professional aspirations in a STEMM field. She has demonstrated academic achievements, shows exemplary student involvement in the campus/ community organizations and is a leader amongst her peers at her college or university.
WiSTEMM Educator
ZDENKA GUADARRAMA | ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY
FRANCES YANG | KU MED CENTER
The WiSTEMM Educator STEMMy Award recognizes a full-time faculty member in a STEMM field. She is recognized by her institution/community as an Excellent Educator based upon student or faculty assessments and community accolades.
Enterprising Innovator
KELLIE BARTLEY | TOP RAIL SOLUTIONS
The Enterprising Innovator STEMMy Award recognizes a woman business owner in a STEMM field. She demonstrates exemplary leadership in her business by establishing a strong vision and achieving great success. She demonstrates industry excellence by influencing others in her STEMM field and is viewed as a key contributor in her industry.
Corporate HERO
CATALENT
The Corporate/Organization HERO STEMMy Award recognizes a company (large or small) or a non-profit that promotes women in STEMM. The company/non-profit is actively engaged in KC Metro STEMM related activities/organizations. The company/non-profit is highly supportive of women working in STEMM fields and provides benefits in the form of education, growth opportunities, flexibility and camaraderie.

Rising Trendsetter
KAREN DIETZE | BLACK & VEATCH
POOJA SHAH | DNV
PAMELA TRAN | KU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The Rising Trendsetter Award recognizes a woman with less than 15-years of professional experience in a STEMM field and who has demonstrated significant achievement early in her career. She is an Influencer of women in STEMM, showing peer recognition and peer support. She is an emerging leader for women in STEMM and is involved in STEMM activities in her company and/or the community.
Groundbreaking Leadership
TIFFANY COLEMAN | BLACK & VEATCH
ELISE KIRCHHOFER | HOEFER WELKER
ANITA RANHOTRA | HALLMARK CARDS
The Groundbreaking Leadership Award recognizes a woman in STEMM who has made significant contributions to the STEMM community throughout her 15+ year professional career. She is a champion of women in STEMM, promoting gender equity in leadership roles, supporting women entering or growing STEMM careers and celebrating achievements by women in STEMM. She is a 360-degree leader who casts a vision, sets and attains goals, learns from other leaders, mentors others, influences peers and propels innovation and change.
WiSTEMM Champion
SHARITA LURKS | BURNS & MCDONNELL
FIONA NOWLING | WELLSKY
The WiSTEMM Champion Award recognizes a leader working in a STEMM field/organization or in association with a STEMM field/organization. They are bridge builders who cast a vision for gender equality and act on that vision. They advocate for women in STEMM, supporting them as they enter or grow in their STEMM and diversity careers and promote them in their workplace or in the community.