When did your love of STEM begin?

It was Math and Technology! I was always in the top scorers in Math when as in high school - I couldn't find any other subject I liked more. I was also an avid technology lover, and back then, there were no courses to learn how to code. I self-taught myself web design and created websites using Adobe platforms.

My mom has always been an advocate for my education - she continued to push me to think about pursuing an STEM degree as she felt that had the strongest potential for success for a woman. My mom saw this for me as a opportunity to become a successful female leader.

What did you love most about study in your field of STEM?

The best part about working in STEM is being part of the efforts to improve women's equality overall. Without the experience that I had, I would never have contributed to the cause. My experience is one of millions that women go through everyday. For me, making a difference is what inspires me to provide my time and efforts to this cause. I hope that even one thing I did/said to inspire a young woman made a difference.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in STEM?

Never give up or give in! If you're feeling alone, find ways to seek out communities and programs to help you find the right opportunity. We are living in a time where the resources are plenty - even though there is still work to be done to bring more diversity. Leverage tools like LinkedIn to reach out to female leaders - they would have gone through a similar experience and would be willing to talk about it. My door is always open for a phone call or coffee for aspiring young women looking to pursue a career/education in STEM.