BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20261029T163000Z DTEND:20261029T180000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:13th Annual STEMMys | Awards Ceremony + Gala Luncheon DESCRIPTION:From groundbreaking research to technological advancements\, women in STEMM are transforming industries\, solving critical challenges\, and making a lasting impact on our world. The STEMMy Awards were created to honor and celebrate the achievements of those driving progress in Science\, Technology\, Engineering\, Math\, and Medicine right here in Kansas City. These leaders are not only shaping the future of their fields but also inspiring the next generation of innovators.\n\n \n\nAward categories include Enterprising Innovator\, Corporate HERO\, Groundbreaking Leadership\, Rising Trendsetter\, WiSTEMM Educator\, Student Achiever\, and WiSTEMM Champion. The winners of these 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.\n\n\n\nPlease help us raise awareness of the innovation\, leadership\, and success women bring to STEMM by becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets to the 13th Annual STEMMy Awards Ceremony + Gala Luncheon on October 29\, 2026\, and help us recognize the outstanding 2026 STEMMy Award Honorees!\n\n\n\nLearn more about all the 13th Annual STEMMy Awards Celebrations\n\nand Sponsorship Opportunities at CXSTEMMys.com\n\n\n\n \n\n\nMEET THE 2026 HONORARY CO-CHAIRS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRACHEL HACK MERLO\n\nHead of Government and Community Affairs\n\nGFiber\n\n2024 Corporate HERO \n\nHonorary Co-Chair\n\n \n\nRachel Hack Merlo leads local government affairs strategy for GFiber across the United States and serves as Head of Government and Community Affairs for the company's Central Region. Based in Kansas City\, she works with municipal leaders\, community organizations\, and internal teams to expand GFiber's presence and strengthen its role as an active\, committed community partner.\n\n \n\nThroughout her career\, Rachel has focused on creating meaningful community impact through digital inclusion\, STEM\, entrepreneurship\, and civic engagement. She develops local strategies\, guides public affairs and communications efforts\, and brings local insight and political expertise to initiatives across GFiber markets. She is also passionate about mentoring colleagues and helping others grow as leaders.\n\n \n\nA lifelong Kansas Citian\, Rachel serves on the boards of the Kansas City Ballet and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Board of Trustees. Her recent honors include the Kansas City Business Journal's 2025 Women of Influence\, the 2024 Digital Literacy Advocacy Award from Revoluci n Educativa\, and recognition among the Top 50 Women Leaders of Missouri. Through her professional leadership and community service\, Rachel continues to help build stronger\, more connected communities.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDR. LESLIE A. MICHAUD\n\nBoard-Certified Physician\, Regenerative Medicine Specialist\, and Founder\n\nMotus Biologics and Sports Medicine\n\nHonorary Co-Chair\n\n \n\nDr. Leslie A. Michaud is a board-certified Primary Care Sports Medicine physician\, regenerative medicine specialist\, and founder of Motus Biologics and Sports Medicine in Overland Park\, Kansas. She is recognized for her expertise in orthobiologics\, musculoskeletal ultrasound\, and minimally invasive procedures that help patients recover from injury\, relieve pain\, and return to active\, healthy lives.\n\n \n\nAfter completing her Family Medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester\, Minnesota and a Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas\, Dr. Michaud founded Motus with a vision of delivering innovative\, evidence-based orthopedic care centered on each patient's goals. Her practice specializes in advanced ultrasound-guided procedures\, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP)\, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)\, Tenex \, Sonex ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel and trigger finger release\, and other regenerative therapies.\n\n \n\nA respected educator and speaker\, Dr. Michaud has presented nationally and regionally on regenerative and sports medicine and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Through clinical innovation\, physician education\, and compassionate patient care\, she continues to help shape the future of regenerative musculoskeletal medicine. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

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\nFrom groundbreaking research to technological advancements\, women in STEMM are transforming industries\, solving critical challenges\, and making a lasting impact on our world. The STEMMy Awards were created to honor and celebrate the achievements of those driving progress in Science\, Technology\, Engineering\, Math\, and Medicine right here in Kansas City. These leaders are not only shaping the future of their fields but also inspiring the next generation of innovators.
\n \;
\nAward categories include Enterprising Innovator\, Corporate HERO\, Groundbreaking Leadership\, Rising Trendsetter\, WiSTEMM Educator\, Student Achiever\, and WiSTEMM Champion. The winners of these 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.
\n
\nPlease help us raise awareness of the innovation\, leadership\, and success women bring to STEMM by becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets to the 13th Annual STEMMy Awards Ceremony + Gala Luncheon on October 29\, 2026\, and help us recognize the outstanding 2026 STEMMy Award Honorees!\n\n


\nLearn more about all the 13th Annual STEMMy Awards Celebrations

\n\n

and Sponsorship Opportunities at CXSTEMMys.com
\n
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\n

MEET THE 2026 HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
\n
\n
\n
\nRACHEL HACK MERLO
\nHead of Government and Community Affairs
\nGFiber
\n2024 Corporate HERO \;
\nHonorary Co-Chair
\n \;

\n\n

Rachel Hack Merlo leads local government affairs strategy for GFiber across the United States and serves as Head of Government and Community Affairs for the company&rsquo\;s Central Region. Based in Kansas City\, she works with municipal leaders\, community organizations\, and internal teams to expand GFiber&rsquo\;s presence and strengthen its role as an active\, committed community partner.
\n \;
\nThroughout her career\, Rachel has focused on creating meaningful community impact through digital inclusion\, STEM\, entrepreneurship\, and civic engagement. She develops local strategies\, guides public affairs and communications efforts\, and brings local insight and political expertise to initiatives across GFiber markets. She is also passionate about mentoring colleagues and helping others grow as leaders.
\n \;
\nA lifelong Kansas Citian\, Rachel serves on the boards of the Kansas City Ballet and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Board of Trustees. Her recent honors include the Kansas City Business Journal&rsquo\;s 2025 Women of Influence\, the 2024 Digital Literacy Advocacy Award from Revolució\;n Educativa\, and recognition among the Top 50 Women Leaders of Missouri. Through her professional leadership and community service\, Rachel continues to help build stronger\, more connected communities.
\n
\n \;

\n\n


\n
\n
\nDR. LESLIE A. MICHAUD
\nBoard-Certified Physician\, Regenerative Medicine Specialist\, and Founder
\nMotus Biologics and Sports Medicine
\nHonorary Co-Chair
\n \;

\n\n

Dr. Leslie A. Michaud is a board-certified Primary Care Sports Medicine physician\, regenerative medicine specialist\, and founder of Motus Biologics and Sports Medicine in Overland Park\, Kansas. She is recognized for her expertise in orthobiologics\, musculoskeletal ultrasound\, and minimally invasive procedures that help patients recover from injury\, relieve pain\, and return to active\, healthy lives.
\n \;
\nAfter completing her Family Medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester\, Minnesota and a Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas\, Dr. Michaud founded Motus with a vision of delivering innovative\, evidence-based orthopedic care centered on each patient'\;s goals. Her practice specializes in advanced ultrasound-guided procedures\, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP)\, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)\, Tenex®\;\, Sonex®\; ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel and trigger finger release\, and other regenerative therapies.
\n \;
\nA respected educator and speaker\, Dr. Michaud has presented nationally and regionally on regenerative and sports medicine and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Through clinical innovation\, physician education\, and compassionate patient care\, she continues to help shape the future of regenerative musculoskeletal medicine.

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\n LOCATION:In-Person At: Fiorella's Event Space 9000 W 137th Street Overland Park\, KS 66221 UID:e.9235.26048 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260823T224545Z URL:https://members.centralexchange.org/events/details/13th-annual-stemmys-awards-ceremony-gala-luncheon-26048 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR