
Opening video for the 2023 STEMMy Awards Ceremony. Video Credit: Blase Pivovar
In 2014, the 1st Annual STEMMy Awards were created to celebrate the accomplishments and put a well-deserved spotlight on women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine across the greater Kansas City region.
The 100+ 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.
We continue to be inspired and proud of so many women in STEMM in our own backyard. Please watch and listen to their amazing stories below.
Student Achiever
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. The student has demonstrated academic achievements, shows exemplary student involvement in campus/community organizations, and is a leader amongst her peers at her college or university. This award can be given to an undergrad or graduate degree student.
WiSTEMM Educator
The WiSTEMM Educator STEMMy Award recognizes a full-time STEMM faculty member at any high school or college level. Based on student or fellow faculty evaluations and community accolades, her institution or community acknowledges her as an outstanding educator.
Enterprising Innovator
The Enterprising Innovator STEMMy Award recognizes a woman business owner in a STEMM-focused company who demonstrates exemplary leadership in her business by establishing a strong vision and achieving great success. She also demonstrates industry excellence by influencing others in her STEMM field and is viewed as a key contributor in her industry.
Corporate HERO
The Corporate/Organization HERO STEMMy Award recognizes a company, whether large or small, that promotes women in STEMM within their organization. This company actively engages in KC Metro STEMM-related activities and supports community organizations. It is highly supportive of women in their STEMM fields and provides benefits and support in the form of education, growth opportunities, flexibility, and camaraderie through initiatives such as ERGs.
WiSTEMM Community Spotlight – New in 2025!
The WiSTEMM Community Spotlight Award recognizes a non-profit, professional organization, or community initiative that promotes STEMM within our region. The Spotlight recipient creates a pipeline of STEMM talent within the community, promotes STEMM initiatives, and raises awareness of STEMM in the community.
Rising Trendsetter
The Rising Trendsetter Award recognizes a woman with 10 Years or Less of professional experience in her 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
The Groundbreaking Leadership Award honors a woman in STEMM who has made significant contributions to the STEMM community throughout her over 10-year professional career in her field. She advocates for women in STEMM by promoting gender equity in leadership roles, supporting women entering or advancing in STEMM careers, and celebrating the achievements of women in this area. She is a comprehensive leader who casts a vision, sets and achieves goals, learns from other leaders, mentors others, influences peers, and drives innovation and change.
WiSTEMM Champion
The WiSTEMM Champion Award recognizes a leader, regardless of gender, working in or associated with a STEMM field or organization. These individuals are bridge builders who envision gender equality and take action to realize that vision. They advocate for women in STEMM, empowering them to achieve their full potential. They offer support as women enter or advance in their STEMM careers and actively promote them within their workplaces and communities. They are true champions for others.
STEMMy Award Categories
Student Achiever
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. The student has demonstrated academic achievements, shows exemplary student involvement in campus/community organizations, and is a leader amongst her peers at her college or university. This award can be given to an undergrad or graduate degree student.
WiSTEMM Educator
The WiSTEMM Educator STEMMy Award recognizes a full-time STEMM faculty member at any high school or college level. Based on student or fellow faculty evaluations and community accolades, her institution or community acknowledges her as an outstanding educator.
Enterprising Innovator
The Enterprising Innovator STEMMy Award recognizes a woman business owner in a STEMM-focused company who demonstrates exemplary leadership in her business by establishing a strong vision and achieving great success. She also demonstrates industry excellence by influencing others in her STEMM field and is viewed as a key contributor in her industry.
Corporate HERO
The Corporate/Organization HERO STEMMy Award recognizes a company, whether large or small, that promotes women in STEMM within their organization. This company actively engages in KC Metro STEMM-related activities and supports community organizations. It is highly supportive of women in their STEMM fields and provides benefits and support in the form of education, growth opportunities, flexibility, and camaraderie through initiatives such as ERGs.
WiSTEMM Community Spotlight – New in 2025!
The WiSTEMM Community Spotlight Award recognizes a non-profit, professional organization, or community initiative that promotes STEMM within our region. The Spotlight recipient creates a pipeline of STEMM talent within the community, promotes STEMM initiatives, and raises awareness of STEMM in the community.
Rising Trendsetter
The Rising Trendsetter Award recognizes a woman with 10 Years or Less of professional experience in her 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
The Groundbreaking Leadership Award honors a woman in STEMM who has made significant contributions to the STEMM community throughout her over 10-year professional career in her field. She advocates for women in STEMM by promoting gender equity in leadership roles, supporting women entering or advancing in STEMM careers, and celebrating the achievements of women in this area. She is a comprehensive leader who casts a vision, sets and achieves goals, learns from other leaders, mentors others, influences peers, and drives innovation and change.
WiSTEMM Champion
The WiSTEMM Champion Award recognizes a leader, regardless of gender, working in or associated with a STEMM field or organization. These individuals are bridge builders who envision gender equality and take action to realize that vision. They advocate for women in STEMM, empowering them to achieve their full potential. They offer support as women enter or advance in their STEMM careers and actively promote them within their workplaces and communities. They are true champions for others.
11th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
STUDENT ACHIEVER
Mya Thomas
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Dr. Janet Pierce
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Julie Wellner
CORPORATE HERO
GFiber
RISING TRENDSETTER
Emily Meyer
RISING TRENDSETTER
Dr. Jackie Rankin
RISING TRENDSETTER
Dr. Emily Tummons
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Dr. Cheryl Cooper
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Christine Lara
WiSTEMM CHAMPION
Jonnae Hill
10th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
STUDENT ACHIEVER
Ushindi Mambo
STUDENT ACHIEVER
Brittany Martinez
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Christine Lemmon
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Dr. Mandi Sonnenberg
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Kimberly Robinett
CORPORATE HERO
BARR Advisory
RISING TRENDSETTER
Dr. Elin Grundberg
RISING TRENDSETTER
Dr. Michele Pritchard
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Lynelle N.B. Pierce
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Cathy Weber
WiSTEMM CHAMPION
Tammy Buckner
9th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
STUDENT ACHIEVER
Amanda Pierce
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Zdenka Guadarrama
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Frances Yang
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
8th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Ruby Rios
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Sandra Billinger
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Rosalyn Zimmermann
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Tanya Smith
RISING TRENDSETTER
Krina Snider
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Dr. Shelley Cooper
CORPORATE HERO
Fishtech Group
RISING TRENDSETTER
Mariah Schroeder
WiSTEMM CHAMPION
Una Nowling
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Jasmine Simmons
WiSTEMM CHAMPION
Kisa Caruthers
7th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
Terracon
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Sherry Lumpkins
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Dr. Amanda Healy
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Emily Tigner
RISING TRENDSETTER
Clarice Kinsella
RISING TRENDSETTER
Lauren Koval
WiSTEMM Champion
Danielle Binion
WiSTEMM Champion
Cynthia Newsome
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Lisa Oyler
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Olivia Provence
6th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
Kiewit
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Panela Leung
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Wendy Hageman
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Eva Karp
RISING TRENDSETTER
Kellyann Jones-Jamtgaard
RISING TRENDSETTER
Amber Stone
WiSTEMM Champion
Dr. Cheryl Cooper
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Leslie Martin
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Dr. Yugi Lee
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Mikayla Bridgewater
5th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
Henderson Engineers
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Angela Hurt
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Julie Pierce
RISING TRENDSETTER
Diana Acevedo
RISING TRENDSETTER
Kerrie Greenfelder
RISING TRENDSETTER
Amy Gum
RISING TRENDSETTER
Britney Hommertzheim
WiSTEMM Champion
Jen Nelson
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Dr. Carol Spradling
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Zulma Perez Estrella
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Lauren Stephenson
4th Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
Federal Reserve Bank
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Kourtney Govro
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Cindy Wallis-Lage
RISING TRENDSETTER
Julie Christianson
RISING TRENDSETTER
Adriana Porter
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Kathleen Kilway
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Alexandra Erwin
3rd Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
Burns & McDonnell
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Jeanette Prenger
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Libby Allman
RISING TRENDSETTER
Michelle Brush
RISING TRENDSETTER
Kristin Murray
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Deborah Cox
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Katie Gonzagowski
2nd Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
Honeywell
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Debra Ellies
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Linda Netzel
RISING TRENDSETTER
Gretchen Ivy
RISING TRENDSETTER
Sunita Lavin
RISING TRENDSETTER
Marion Pierson
RISING TRENDSETTER
Tiffany Wheeler
1st Annual STEMMy Award Honorees
CORPORATE HERO
KCP&L
ENTERPRISING INNOVATOR
Maria Flynn
GROUNDBREAKING LEADERSHIP
Robin Stubenhofer
RISING TRENDSETTER
Paige Geiger
RISING TRENDSETTER
Ashley Hand
RISING TRENDSETTER
Tina Peterson
RISING TRENDSETTER
Jennifer Wadella
WiSTEMM EDUCATOR
Susan Stagg-Williams
WiSTEMM STUDENT ACHIEVER
Anastasia Weston