Episodes

We're starting a new segment on Ordinarily Extraordinary - STEMSkills. Periodically, we'll have episodes with experts to address some areas that can help women in STEM grow. This first episode is on communication skills with an amazing communication coach. Anthony is a recognized expert in blueprinting his clients’ communication process and, in real-time, gives them a personalized solution that is tailored to instantly address, and gradually eliminate their specific communication blocks and...

Dr. Vivian Chan is the founder and CEO of Sparrho, a platform that democratizes science using augmented intelligence. Dr. Chan has a PhD in biochemistry, and degrees in biotech. She has addressed the EU Ministers of Research and Innovation and keynoted the "Next Unicorn" series at Mobile World Congress. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Were there fines in UK for leaving lock down in early COVID? Are there now? Under current regulations, organisers and...

Mimi is the Vice President of Operations at Hadean. Mimi is at the intersection of science and technology at a start up in the United Kingdom. She brings her passion and excitement for truly making a difference in the world to her job on a daily basis. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, by Caroline Criado Perez. Minecraft - a sandbox video game developed by Mojang Studios. The game was created by ...

Monika leads a product management team for a global company in the energy industry. She started her career in embedded programming, which is still a passion she has. She is a mentor, a coach, a keynote speaker, and an entrepreneur. Monika is passionate about her work and about encouraging women in their careers and career development. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check Embedded Software Engineer - Embedded software...

Nadya is a cybersecurity executive and recognized global leader in cybersecurity. She uses her deep breath of knowledge to develop and lead consulting teams and in developing global cybersecurity standards. Nadya shares not only her industry experience, but also her experiences immigrating to the US from the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check E-ISAC - Electricity Information Sharing ...

Katlyn is a young software developer that got her start to software developing and programming in a unique way. She is passionate about the work that she does and where she is going in her career. She shares her challenges overcoming being "painfully introverted" (her words, not mine!) and is an avid golfer. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check UTC - Utilities Technology Council - a global association focused on the ...

Sara is a recent college graduate working as a Neuroscientist doing research in alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. She is currently applying to MD/PhD programs and is planning to study traumatic brain injuries. She recently moved from Minnesota to Boston - right before COVID - making for some challenges in being able to experience a new city. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check MD/PhD Programs - a dual doctorate...

Sandy is a high school calculus teacher. She currently teaches Advanced Placement (AP) calculus, and has taught all high school math subjects throughout her career. Sandy inspires her students through her passion for math and by challenging them to be their best. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check AP (Advanced Placement) Classes - Advanced Placement is a program in the United States and Canada created by the Colleg...

Toni is a civil engineer working in the transportation industry. Toni has been working as an engineer for a few years and is preparing to take the Professional Engineering Exam this fall. She shares her knowledge and experiences in the transportation industry and her experiences working on a highway construction crew this summer. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check ADA (American with Disabilities Act) Ramps - https:...

Cassie is an electrical engineer, working in substation design at a consulting firm. She moved into engineering management after getting a master's degree in Science and Technology Management. Cassie shares her experiences and perspectives and the importance of women supporting each other and the importance of mentors. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check How many pounds of chemicals do women absorb into their bodies...

Dr. Lucy Dunne is the founder and co-director of University of Minnesota's Wearable Technology Lab. Her research and work is the intersection of apparel and science. She has a PhD in Computer Science and a BS and MA in apparel design. She co-authored "Functional Apparel Design: From Sportswear to Space Suits", has published numerous articles, and received the National Science Foundation’s CAREER award and the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for her work with functional clothing and wearable tec...

Linda has a long history and deep knowledge in Information Technology - she currently works as a manager in a software company for utilities. Throughout her technology career, she implemented the first computer system for one of the utilities she worked for. She has worked on mainframes, networks, servers, virtual servers and taught herself programming before moving into IT management roles. She is an avid hunter and fisherwoman. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sou...

Naadiya is a major global advocate for women in engineering. She is a civil engineer and a serial entrepreneur. She co-founded WomEng, an organization to promote women and girls going into engineering, and WomHub, an organization to support women entrepreneurs in STEM (science, technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing) in Africa. She is on boards of Unicef, B20, World Economic Forum, among others. She is a strong voice and advocate for women engineers globally. Episode Notes Music used in the...

Abby recently graduated from high school and will be starting college this fall at Iowa State University to study aerospace engineering. Abby has a love of physics, calculus and rockets! She is passionate about making her voice heard and excited to start this new phase of her life where she gets to study the subjects she loves. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms and Definitions AP Classes - Advance Placement Classes - a program in the United St...

Cristine works in technical sales and support in the wireless industry. She has spent much of her career doing technical education, training, and documentation. She capitalizes on her insatiable curiosity and need to thoroughly understand things both in her career as an educator and in her role as a mom. Cristine also shares her childhood and educational experience growing up in Brazil. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms and Definitions Computer...

Vicki is the Programs Director for High Tech Kids in Minnesota, the non-profit organization that organizes and runs robotics tournaments for kids such as FIRST LEGO League. While Vicki doesn't have a degree in a STEM field herself - she calls her degree in political science the "other" science, Vicki is getting girls into the pipeline for STEM careers. She has been involved with FIRST LEGO League robotics tournaments for over 20 years starting as a parent, then coach, then volunteer, then staff....

Beth is an entomologist that works in the federal government. She has a master's degree in entomology and focuses her work on keeping America's food supply safe from pests. She discusses the importance of relationships in her job and shares her experiences traveling overseas for work. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms and Definitions Exercise Physiology - Exercise physiologists analyze their patients’ fitness in order to help them improve ...

Alice is a professional with a passion for finding the nexus between the wireless telecommunications and energy industries, and active volunteer of fostering STEM events in her community. Her foundation as an electrical engineer played a role in her career today in strategy and business development, and shares her perspectives on the importance of stepping out of her comfort zone and willingness to take on risks to professional development. Growing up in Trinidad, and immigrating to the US has s...

Tammy currently works as a middleware administrator. She has held several positions in software administration while working at the same company for her entire career. She has a degree in computer science and shares her perspectives and experiences. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms and Definitions Weblogic – a leading e-commerce online transaction processing (OLTP) platform, developed to connect users in a distributed computing environment and...

Taylor has worked as an electrical engineer for the past 6 years. She recently transitioned to a new position outside of engineering, but still in technology. She shares her viewpoints on being a new mom, starting a family, juggling work and family and adjusting her priorities. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms and Definitions PTO – Paid Time Off Fact Check Maternity Leave – Nearly all developed countries throughout the world have a national p...

Welcome to the first episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary - conversations with women in STEM. Kerry has worked as an electrical engineer in the utility industry for 27 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience. In our conversation she shares her experiences working as a physical substation engineer, working in contracts for a renewable energy company, and her college life. She provides insights into technical aspects of the work she does in addition to her perspectives on women in engin...

Tami has worked as an electrical engineer in the utility industry for 29 years. She is incredibly knowledgeable about transmission planning and has held a variety of roles in several different companies throughout her career. She shares her insights into work and family life balance and the challenges of navigating job changes with young children. Episode Notes Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio Acronyms and Definitions OASIS– The Open Access Same-Time Information Sy...

Jackie teaches seventh grade physical science. She is completing her sixth year of teaching and has had a wide range of experiences in teaching several different science classes in both high school and middle school, rural and urban environments, and public and private school systems. Jackie shares her story of how she became a science teacher, grad school, having a young family, and the challenge of distance teaching during COVID. Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

Liana is an innovation technologist in the energy industry. She has a wide variety of experience working on the forefront of technology with technology vendors, telecommunication providers, utilities, and school districts. Her computer science degree provided her with the foundation she needed to work in these technology areas. Liana shares her experience with obtaining her degree in a non-traditional way, the challenges of pursuing her degree with young children, and her viewpoint of frequently...