WISE Forum

The annual Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Forum brings together high school and college students who identify as girls and who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (STEAM) with accomplished women-identifying professionals in STEAM fields, ranging from academia and healthcare to design engineering and space exploration.

A Two-Part Event

The first half of the evening consists of a Networking & Mentoring Reception where attendees are invited to connect. This is an opportunity for high school students who identify as girls to talk one-on-one with and receive advice from women-identifying professionals and college students.

Following the reception is a Distinguished Leader Panel Discussion, open to all genders. We encourage everyone who allies with girls and women in STEAM to attend. The panel features four distinguished women in STEAM who share their perspectives on working in STEAM fields. Hear about the opportunities and challenges they have faced while pursuing careers dominated by men.

Past panelists: executives from DuPont Company; IBM; Mack Trucks; Mars Inc.; Merck; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; and Sanofi.

Not Just for Women & Girls

Our WISE Initiative and Forum is not just for those who identify as women or girls. Check out some frequently asked questions below to learn why you should get involved and how to participate.

Is the WISE Forum just for women and girls?

Absolutely not! While the primary goal of the WISE Initiative is to create a supportive community of women employed in STEAM fields and encourage girls who aspire to follow a STEAM career path, all genders can benefit from hearing the stories and experiences shared in the WISE Forum.

While the Networking & Mentoring Reception is reserved for those who identify as women or girls, the Distinguished Leader Panel Discussion is open to all genders, and we encourage everyone who allies with girls and women in STEAM to attend.

I'm not a woman, why should I care about the WISE Forum?

It’s not only women and girls who need to be informed of the challenges unique to their gender in STEAM careers. Because all genders have a role in creating barriers to an equitable workforce, everyone must learn and improve together to create meaningful change.

Other communities are also underrepresented in STEAM fields. While this event is specific to women’s experiences, many discussions and strategies for enacting change also apply to similar challenges faced by other groups, such as people of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

Many WISE participants also share how other aspects of their identity, in addition to their gender, shape their experiences in the workplace and school.

What can I take away from this event as a man or someone who does not identify as a woman or girl?

Listening to the personal experiences of panelists, mentors, and students will give you additional perspective on the challenges women and girls encounter. Some stories may be surprising or unexpected and may help you reflect on your personal contribution to an equitable workplace and learning environment. Hearing about these experiences can help you to enact change and become an even better ally and advocate for women in STEAM careers.

2024 Women in Science & Engineering Forum
Tuesday, November 12, 2024; 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Presented by

Location:
Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
815 W. Hamilton St.
Allentown, PA 18101

Schedule of events:

5:15 p.m.: Registration and doors open
5:30 – 6:20 p.m.: Networking & Mentoring Reception
6:20 – 6:30 p.m.: Transition
6:30 – 7 p.m.: Distinguished Panel Discussion
7 – 7:30 p.m.: Audience Q&A

View this year’s Panelists

Registration Details:

Student registration for the Networking & Mentoring Reception is free thanks to our generous sponsors.
Mentor registration for the Networking & Mentoring Reception is $7 per person when registering on or before Sept. 25 (early bird discount) and $35 per person when registering after Sept. 25.
If you are a mentor attending with an event sponsor, you will be sent a separate link to register for the Networking & Mentoring Reception.
If you would like to attend the Distinguished Panel Discussion only, registration is free.
Deadline to register is Thursday, Oct. 31.

This Year’s Panelists

Anne Baum, President, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital (Moderator)

Anne Baum is the President of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, where she leads strategic planning and operations for the first and largest children’s hospital in the Lehigh Valley Region.

Learn More About Anne

Jovana Villanueva, President, JV Construction & Consulting LLC

Jovana Villanueva started her career in construction in 2001 as an Administrative Assistant and quickly rose through the ranks in every department. Ms. Villanueva completed her GED and enrolled in college courses at Boricua College, all while working full time and raising her daughter. Her passion and determination to succeed in all things, led to her owning her own company and breaking barriers for women-owned companies.

Learn More About Jovana

Karen Ruggles, Associate Professor, Computer Science; Digital Art Esports Program Director, DeSales University

Karen Ruggles is an associate professor of computer science at DeSales University and also serves DeSales University for the past 6 years as a Varsity Esports Program Director where her students compete in League of Legends, Overwatch, and VALORANT. Professor Ruggles’ teaching and research interests include virtual production, animation, digital cinema, virtual reality (VR), and 3D printing.

Learn More About Karen

Karen Morris-Priester, M.D., Anesthesiologist, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Dr. Karen Morris-Priester exemplifies resilience and determination, transforming personal adversity into a remarkable medical career. As a board-certified anesthesiologist, she was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show in a segment called “Cheers to You.” During the show, Ms. Winfrey detailed Dr. Morris-Priester’s inspiring journey. Notably, the fact that she was the first grandmother to graduate from Yale University School of Medicine and proving that, with dedication and hard work, it is never too late to achieve your dreams.

Learn More About Karen