IN-PERSON | WiSTEMM "Wine Down" Happy Hour Presented by ProActive Solutions | Conversations with the 2022 Women of STEMM

Women in STEMM is a Central Exchange movement designed to put a well-deserved spotlight on women in Kansas City working in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM). By focusing on successful STEMM leaders, WiSTEMM hopes to draw attention to the resource shortfall in these careers, provide inspiration for those pursuing STEMM careers, and help create retention of women currently in STEMM careers.

Through WiSTEMM, you will find:

INSPIRATION: Celebrate and acknowledge women for achievement and advancement.
SUPPORT: Foster community and achieve professional development.
CONNECTION: Network and create mentor relationships with other women in STEMM fields.

Now more than ever, women 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.

In 2014 the STEMMy Awards were created to celebrate the accomplishments of women business and civic leaders, students and educators, and entrepreneurs and advocates who work together to increase gender diversity and who excel in their STEMM field.

At the 9th Annual STEMMy Awards in October 2022, Central Exchange celebrated the accomplishments of 12 women and one corporate hero who are setting trends and breaking barriers in their STEMM fields.

Join us on Wednesday, March 29th from 4:00-5:30 PM for our quarterly WiSTEMM "Wine Down" Happy Hour to network with other women and join in on the conversation as we hear from a few of the 2022 STEMMy Award Winners!

Moderated by Kisa Caruthers, we will hear from Dr. Zdeňka Guadarrama, Sharita Lurks, Amanda Pierce, Anita Ranhotra and Dr. Frances Yang and learn what they have been up to since they walked on the stage to receive their award in 2022.

In addition, discussion and questions will be answered regarding nominations for the 2023 STEMMy Awards! To learn more about the CX STEMMy Awards, visit cxstemmys.com today.

PRESENTED BY:

MODERATOR:

Kisa Caruthers is an accomplished licensed electrical engineer in Kansas and Missouri. With more than 24 years of experience, she has led the design of electrical building systems for new construction and renovation projects across the United States and internationally. Kisa has designed medium- and low-voltage systems for various buildings, facilities, institutions, and utility plants. In addition, she makes sure that her designs comply with national and local building codes.
Kisa earned a Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering from Tennessee State University and a Master of Business Administration and academic certification in project management from Webster University.

Kisa serves on the Board of Directors for Jackson County CASA and as a Missouri State University advisory board member for the Women in a Leadership program. In addition, she is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE), American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Kisa Caruthers is a recipient of various awards, honors, and recognitions. The awards include the WiSTEMM Champion STEMMY award, LIFT HER UP honoree, 2022 Women of Inspiration International Mentorship award, Burns & McDonnell 2021 X-factor award recipient , 2022/2023 Blue Quill award recipient and 2022 NIA Volunteer of the Year award recipient.
Kisa?s passion for youth encouragement has allowed her to participate as a keynote speaker for the Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day (IGED) hosted by SWE Kansas City, Mo, participate as panelist for the SMART Girls conference hosted by the Kansas City, Mo Boys and Girls Club, and participate as a workshop lead and panelist host annual conferences hosted by the National Congress of Black Women of Kansas City, Mo.

Kisa devotes her time serving as the youth choir director at Grace Baptist Church of Greater Kansas City, encouraging youth in the juvenile detention center, and teaching you during summer Vacation Bible School through her church ministries. She tutors math students of all ages. Lastly, Kisa actively participates in KC STEM student career days and mentoring youth initiative programs.

Kisa was awarded the 2021 WiSTEMM Champion Award.

PANELISTS:

Dr. Zdeňka Guadarrama is a Professor of Mathematics and is a chair of the Department of Mathematics, Analytics and Technology, and Program Director for Applied Mathematics at Rockhurst University. Zdeňka is a co-founder and director of Mathapalooza, a mathematics outreach program that engages people of all ages in mathematical explorations outside the standard curriculum and provides professional development for teachers. She also co-founded Math Through Play, a social enterprise focused on creating mathematical spaces and experiences to bringing mathematical play into communities.

Zdeňka strongly believes that there is enough variety of mathematics out there for everyone to enjoy, and that play can help challenge conventions about what mathematics is and how it is taught. Her strengths are in being able to conceptualize and implement playful environments that naturally nurture mathematical exploration and thought. She has written and published inquiry-based mathematics curriculum, given talks nationally and internationally about mathematics and mathematics education, designed workshops for teachers to help them bring mathematical inquiry into their classes, and created a range of programs to introduce the community to meaningful, beautiful, and enjoyable mathematics.

Zdeňka was awarded the 2022 WiSTEMM Educator.

Sharita Lurks is a senior project controls specialist at Burns & McDonnell. She has seven years of accounting experience and 17 years of project control experience. She has overseen the profitability of project design, engineering, and construction and ensured the success of high voltage utility projects for internal and external company clients across the U.S. Sharita earned a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration from Missouri Western University and an MBA and academic certification in project management from Webster University. She also has a certificate in financial planning from Kaplan University.

Sharita is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves on committees that provide services to the homeless and less fortunate and mentoring youth initiative programs. She devotes time to assisting the youth choir director at her local church. Sharita also mothers three children, Larry Lurks III, Antraun Lurks, and Atlanta Lurks.

Sharita was awarded the 2022 WiSTEMM Champion Award.

Amanda Pierce is a 2022 graduate of UMKC with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science with a GIS certification.
After winning the student achiever award in October of 2022, Amanda went on to continue her education in the environmental scientist field by completing five certifications for environmental compliance field work. Amanda also started a job at Burns & McDonnell as an Environmental Scientist in the beginning of 2023. She has since worked in the Kansas City area doing investigations and remediation to compliance and permitting, helping to determine the most effective and cost-efficient environmental solutions on all types of projects.
In the near future, Amanda will resume traveling, this time just within the continental United States, and through her job to continue expanding her skill set. Amanda still loves nature and to spend her free time with her two dogs, Jack and Nyna, by hiking and camping. Her love for research remains strong too, as she continues studying carbon sequestration through plants and freshwater experiments carried out in her own home. Amanda still plans on moving back to the beach one day soon and specializing in wetland restoration work.

Amanda was awarded the 2022 Student Achiever.

Anita Ranhotra is a senior engineering project manager at Hallmark Cards.  During Anita's 22 years at Hallmark, she's worked in engineering, manufacturing, distribution, procurement, product integrity and supply chain solutions. Previously, Anita worked for The Limited and Payless ShoeSource, where she earned a patent. 

Anita holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering (IE) and master's degree in engineering management, both from Kansas State University (K-State).  She is a co-founder and member of K-State's IE Academy, serves on advisory councils for the Multicultural Engineering Program and Business Management Department, and past chair of K-State?s IE advisory council. 

Anita is senior advisor for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers - KC chapter, past chapter president, regional VP, and chapters SVP - Board of Trustees.  She was co-founder and past-chair of the National Association of Asian American Professionals ? KC chapter and the Asian American Resource Community - Hallmark and is an advisor to Hallmark's STEM Engagement Committee. 

Anita was awarded the 2022 Groundbreaking Leadership.

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Date and Time

Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM CDT

If you have registered for this program and now have to cancel, please do so at least 48-hours ahead of time at https://centralexchange.org/cancel-program-registration/. Thanks!

Location

In-Person at ProActive Solutions
5625 Foxridge Dr
Mission, KS 66202

Fees/Admission

CX Members: FREE
CX Partners: 1 Voucher
Nonmembers: $25.00
No refunds.

Beverages and light appetizers are included!

Interested in becoming a CX Member? Read more about membership here and be our guest for up to two CX Programs or Exchange Circles.

Contact Information

Questions about WiSTEMM? Contact Jessica Garder, WiSTEMM Chair
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