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.

2025 Nominations Open on Pi Day!
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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.

PAST AWARD HONOREES >>

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.

PAST AWARD HONOREES >>

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

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