Board of Directors
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Wendy Merchant, Founder + Executive Director
Wendy founded STEMblazers with the expressed purpose of closing the gender gap and creating diversity in STEM fields by utilizing her enthusiasm, determination and resources to create pathways to encourage the next generation of girls. Wendy graduated with a BS in Architectural Engineering from the University of Wyoming and is a licensed mechanical engineer. Her professional background includes 20 years of experience working in the construction industry as a consulting mechanical engineer designing commercial mechanical building systems including; HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and building automation control systems. For the past 9 years, Wendy has dedicated herself to empowering young women to pursue careers in STEM post-secondary education and mentoring young professionals.
In 2013, Wendy pivoted from engineering to follow her passion to inspire the next generation of women in STEM. With her own experiences as an engineer and extensive network of STEM professionals, Wendy is working to directly impact middle school and high school girls with the STEMblazers’ program by connecting them with STEM professionals through hands-on activity learning sessions, interactive conversations, networking events, industry tours, job shadows and mentorship opportunities. She continues to support young women post-secondary education with career readiness and internship connections. When Wendy is not working with students she enjoys being outdoors skiing, golfing, gardening and spending time with her family.
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Laura Shaw, Board Chair
Laura's over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit industry have granted her a profound understanding of the sector's opportunities and challenges. As the COO of Connect, a nonprofit tech accelerator, she honed her strategic thinking and operational expertise while gaining firsthand experience of the power of technology. In 2021 Laura made a transition into the world of tech startups. As the Head of Operations at a seed-stage startup, Enigma, she works to implement innovative solutions that fuel growth and success. Her journey includes earning a business degree from the University of Washington, residing in San Diego for a decade, and now calling Denver home.
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Kevin Prendeville, Board Nominating Chair
Principal - Product Engineering Services at Deloitte. Over the last 28+ years, Kevin has worked with leading global companies to increase Product Development efficiency and effectiveness by examining and improving product portfolios, business processes, engineering tools, data/analytics, operating models and global engineering footprints while teaming with clients to envision and deliver improvement programs spanning Strategy, Management Consulting, System Integration, Application Services, Product Engineering Services and Business Process Outsourcing competencies. His current and past clients include leading companies in - Internet & Social, Network Equipment, Consumer Electronics, Hi-Tech, Semiconductor, Communications, Medical Products, Footwear/Apparel, Consumer Packaged Goods, Consumer Durables, Toys, Retail and Aerospace & Defense
Kevin holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Product Design from the University of Notre Dame. Kevin resides in Genesee, CO with his wife, three children and black lab. Outside of work – you will find Kevin playing and watching soccer, mountain biking and skiing.
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Lynette Nunez, Board Secretary
Lynette Nunez is currently the Vice President of Technology and Project Management for Comcast West Division in Denver. Lynette has spent her career in technology and cybersecurity project management and recently took the leadership role over the technology organization as well. In addition, Lynette is pursuing her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado University Denver. She joins the Stemblazers board with a commitment to support girls and women in STEM in order to enable the future of women in technology roles. Lynette is a mother of three daughters that are all pursuing college degrees in the medical field.
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Judy Kennelley, Board Member, Fundraising Chair
Judy Kennelley grew up in New York in a STEM-focused family and earned her BS degree in Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. She began her career at Mobil Oil Corporation as a Reservoir Engineer. During her five years at Mobil, she discovered her passion for recruiting while running the company's college recruiting program. This led her to pursue her true calling in executive recruiting.
In 1992, Judy founded Integrity Network, an executive search firm specializing in placing senior-level executives in technology companies. Under her leadership, Integrity Network has become one of the top executive recruiting firms in the SaaS industry, successfully placing over 1000 executives. Since 2019, the company has proudly operated as a mother-daughter team with the addition of Shannon Hickey.
Judy is dedicated to promoting STEM careers for young women. She believes that increasing the number of women in executive management begins at the middle and high school levels. As a founding Board member of High Tech High Heels Colorado Chapter and a Board member of STEMblazers since May 2024, Judy focuses on fundraising and supporting the organization's mission.
Outside the office, Judy enjoys playing tennis with her 4.5 women's teams, attending spin and Pilates classes, golfing, and spending time with her amazing husband, two daughters, and German Shepherd.
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Solomon Abel, Board Treasurer
Solomon is a Senior Vice President with CDM Smith, a global engineering and construction firm. He has lived and worked around the world and the US, delivering critical infrastructure projects. In addition to living in several places around the US, he has lived in Venezuela, Poland, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, and moved to Denver in 2017. Throughout his travels, Solomon has been passionate about mentoring and coaching others to join the water field. A focus Solomon brings to the infrastructure sector is the criticality of reflecting the communities we serve to better connect with and understand the needs of citizens in our communities and deliver on the vision they have for their own community. Solomon now leads the West Central Region for CDM Smith, providing guidance and leadership in the development and delivery water and environmental work across the region. He holds a BS and MS in Civil/ Environmental Engineering from Iowa State University. In his free time, Solomon enjoys family, the mountains, boardgames, and playing soccer.
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Rachel Vincent, Board Vice-Chair
Rachel Vincent currently works in the tech industry for startups as a Founding Customer Success Manager. She received her Master of Science in Human Nutrition & Food from Texas Woman's University in 2016. Before she entered the tech world, she became an entrepreneur and still is to this day. Rachel currently owns Plum Tired Coffee Co., a mobile coffee cart for weddings/events. Her other businesses were centered on helping women advance in their careers or businesses by cultivating community and hosting monthly events. She has always been passionate about helping women see what is possible because we are not told this enough!
When she has free time, she spends it exploring new restaurants, traveling to new cities and hiking through Colorado! Her little staffy, Meatball, joins whenever she can take him!
Advisory Board
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Kristi Steinhilber, Advisory Board Member
After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and a minor in Mathematics, Kristi was blessed to have worked for a private weather software company right off the bat. After four years of testing weather software and participating in a newly formed broadcast group, Kristi left IPS Meteostar and did a short stent as a Marketing Assistant for a Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering company. While GEI provided Kristi with new training and skills outside of her degree, she found herself back in a Meteorology career in 2014 at Applied Weather Associates where she currently works, providing meteorological analysis of extreme precipitation events for PMP studies.
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Rachel Carnaggio, Advisory Board Member
Rachel started her career as a molecular and cellular biologist in the fields of pharmacy, genetics, and then surgery research in universities and hospitals. While earning her MS in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, she took courses in patent law and health law and decided to combine her science career with law. Rachel currently works in patent and trademark prosecution, licensing, and counseling clients regarding protection and privacy of intellectual property portfolios. Rachel has also represented a diverse group of clients in corporate transactional law and litigation. She has represented clients in cases and portfolios involving medical devices, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, mechanical arts, and software.
When she is not helping sole inventors and companies get IP protection, Rachel assists low income inventors through the USPTO ProBoPat program, serves on the Board of Directors of Second Wind Fund and on the membership committee of Colorado BioScience Association, and spends time with her family living the Colorado dream.
Rachel also visits schools to share her STEM educational and professional background and experiences to inspire young girls and expose them to various career pathways in STEM. She also works on fundraising in the community to provide girls with access to STEM opportunities and experience.
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Ale Spray, Advisory Board Member
Alejandre “Ale” Spray’s current role is CEO & President of Hispanic Contractors of Colorado. She has a BS in Civil Engineering from the Western Institute of Technology & Higher Education University in Mexico. Ale awas recognized as one of the top 25 Women in Business in Colorado in 2023 by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Ale has over 20 years in the Construction industry specifically in marketing and business development. She is extremely passionate about Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Her efforts and work in the community includes tireless advocating for women and people of color. She has been supporting STEMblazers since 2016.
Her proudest accomplishment and highest title are being mother to Nicole and Alexander, two energetic teenagers who keep her grounded.
Ale is committed to helping and mentoring young professionals and inspiring young women to find their space in business and STEM.
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Shelly Sousa, Advisory Board Member
Shelly Sousa is an Enterprise Architect at CoBank. She has an extensive professional background in Information Technology and Software Development, and loves sharing her passion for STEM with everyone she meets. Shelly began volunteering with STEMblazers in 2015 by running Tech Trek, an annual day-in-the-life student tour of a tech company. She was also STEMblazers' Board Chairperson and Co-Chairperson from 2017-2021. Today, Shelly is an Advisory Board Member, developing Salesforce solutions to support STEMblazers day-to-day operations.
Shelly is a lifelong technologist who never stops learning. She earned a BS in Data Analytics in 2021, and an MBA in Information Technology Management in 2023. She also holds 23 professional certifications, and writes certification content for multiple testing entities.
In her free time, Shelly enjoys building computers, programming, hiking, traveling, playing video games, and speaking at conferences. She lives in Aurora with her family (and two chatty cats).
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Keidyfer Leon, Advisory Board Member
Keidyfer Leon is a first-generation student at the University of Colorado Denver studying for her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She recently obtained her Associate of Science in Civil Engineering from the Community College of Denver. This summer, she will be going into her third internship as a Project Engineer for Weitz, a general contractor. Keidyfer enjoys spending time with her family and visiting family members back in Mexico.
Keidyfer joined STEMblazer’s as a high school senior in 2019 and continued being involved with STEMblazers as an Alumni. As a co-host for the STEMblazers Podcast Season 1 and Season 4, Keidyfer enjoyed amplifying the stories of women in STEM professions. Her passion to help others learn about their opportunities in STEM careers has motivated her to become a student mentor to middle school girls and be a guest speaker at high schools and fundraising events.
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Laura Jaime, Advisory Board Member
I'm Laura Jaime, and I'm a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania. I'm a Health and Societies major aspiring to minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship as a pre-law student. Outside of school, I enjoy working with nonprofits that directly influence my community.
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Sherry Lin, Advisory Board Member
Sherry is the Head of Policy Consultation for Google's Trust and Safety, Play & Android team. She is responsible for ensuring that users download safe and trustworthy apps from Google's Play Store. Sherry has over 10 years of experience in the healthcare and technology industries, with special emphasis in strategy, operations, and content moderation. Prior to joining Google, Sherry was a Strategy Manager at Accenture for 7 years. In this role, she led projects in a variety of industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals.
Sherry graduated with dual BAs in Kinesiology Health Sciences and Health Policy, and a minor in Poverty Justice and Human Capabilities (PJHC) from Rice University in Houston, TX.
Sherry is passionate about using technology to improve people's lives, and she is particularly interested in how technology can empower the elderly and youth populations. She believes that technology can be a powerful tool for education, health, and social connection, and she is committed to using her skills and experience to influence this area. Sherry recently moved to Boulder, CO with her husband, Denny. In her spare time, she is enjoying all of Colorado’s wonders, and you’ll find her hiking, skiing, or adventuring outdoors.
Staff
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Blair Dammerman, Program Director
Blair Dammerman, MA, has 7 years of experience working within communities to develop, manage, and lead successful and sustainable program implementation. She honed her skills in nonprofit management, working to increase equity for underserved populations with unique and exciting projects. Blair diligently guides her teams and the communities she serves through a lens of collaboration, compassion, and social justice.
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Savannah Van Duyn, Program Coordinator
Savannah VanDuyn brings years of experience working with youth programs to the STEMblazers team. She enjoys connecting with students and helping them find their ‘why?’. Savannah’s fight for female presence in underrepresented careers has been an ongoing passion. She was involved in a similar initiative to STEMblazers in high school and has continued that mission through her work ever since. In her spare time, Savannah likes to find ways to enjoy nature and give pets to her dog, Peyton.
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Jami White-Lyons, Program Coordinator - North Carolina
Jami is a powerhouse program manager with a decade of expertise in driving technical cybersecurity projects to success. Dynamic, outcome-driven leader with experience delivering business and technology solutions across disciplines and industries. Expertise in solution delivery, strategic planning, portfolio & program management, and operations. Passionate advocate for women in tech, Jami is dedicated to fostering community and breaking barriers in the industry. When she's not championing diversity, you can find her exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations with her husband, cozied up with a book or conquering the latest hiking trails.
Jami's journey has taken her from the snowy peaks of the Rockies to the vibrant landscapes of North Carolina, where she's spearheading the expansion of STEMblazers. Armed with an associate's degree in computer science and love of learning she is currently pursuing a degree in organizational leadership at George Fox University, she is a trailblazer in her own right. As a first-generation student, Jami values education and opportunity, embodying the power of determination and the pursuit of excellence.
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Kim Cortes, Program Manager - She’s in Power
Kim joins STEMblazers as a former woman in STEM with nearly ten years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. She is known for her enthusiastic leadership, advocacy skills, and commitment to data-driven programming. Kim holds a Master’s in Environmental Science and a J.D. with a focus on environmental law. For the past seven years, she has led workforce programs for people with disabilities. Kim is passionate about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce. She is excited to combine her care and concern for the environment with her workforce development skills to lead the She’s in Power program.
Jami's journey has taken her from the snowy peaks of the Rockies to the vibrant landscapes of North Carolina, where she's spearheading the expansion of STEMblazers. Armed with an associate's degree in computer science and love of learning she is currently pursuing a degree in organizational leadership at George Fox University, she is a trailblazer in her own right. As a first-generation student, Jami values education and opportunity, embodying the power of determination and the pursuit of excellence.
Jami's journey has taken her from the snowy peaks of the Rockies to the vibrant landscapes of North Carolina, where she's spearheading the expansion of STEMblazers. Armed with an associate's degree in computer science and love of learning she is currently pursuing a degree in organizational leadership at George Fox University, she is a trailblazer in her own right. As a first-generation student, Jami values education and opportunity, embodying the power of determination and the pursuit of excellence.
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Keli Kinsella, Program Coordinator
Keli Kinsella, an accomplished educator with over three decades of experience in public K-12 education, excelling in both classroom instruction and professional development. With a focus on STEM education, Keli passionately shapes effective teaching practices thus providing learning opportunities for educators and students alike. Keli’s unwavering dedication to education and empowering others underscores her as a valuable asset to the community. Beyond her educational endeavors, Keli is also an avid traveler who finds inspiration in exploring new cultures.
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Eliana Jaiteh (Ellie), Program Assistant - She’s in Power
I am a 19-year-old marketing student at Aims Community College with almost two years of experience at Shes in Power. I began my journey as a program participant and was fortunate enough to be hired to continue my role. My passion for the outdoors makes it my happy place, and working in STEM and clean energy allows me to contribute to preserving and protecting it. I find it truly rewarding to be part of initiatives that benefit the environment.
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Andrea Nestler, Volunteer Coordinator
Andrea is a team lead for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division. Andrea has worked for CDPHE since 2014 and specializes in compliance and enforcement activities related to violations of the Colorado Water Quality Control Act. Andrea has been a volunteer with STEMblazers since 2018 and has been coordinating volunteer activities since 2019. Andrea is a graduate of Colorado State University, with a B.S. in Environmental Health and Watershed Science.
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Ryan Mehaffey, Chief Finance Officer
Ryan Mehaffey is the founder and CEO of Feast Over Famine, an organization devoted to helping organizations of all kinds navigate the tension where mission and profit collide. With a focus on social enterprise and impact investing, Ryan has served over 100 clients in 38 countries since 2018. His expertise includes business and non-profit management strategy, financial management and leadership, operational scaling, raising capital, executive coaching, and sales & marketing.
Ryan lives in the Colorado mountains with his wife, Kyra, and two young kids, along with their Siberian Husky Nika. He competes at an amateur level in all sorts of mountain endurance sports, and has spent several years coaching a high school ultimate team. Ryan and his wife have spent a lot of time in church leadership, and have served in multiple church plants together as a family.
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Emily Fitzgerald, Podcast Producer
Emily is a video professional who has a passion for supporting girls and women in STEM. Emily has volunteered for STEMblazers since 2016, producing video content for the organization. In 2020 she helped start the STEMblazers Podcast, and continues to produce the podcast today, working on its sixth season.
Alison Derr | Alison Lavery | Anika Hammond | Ann Wolfe | Ava Martinez | Bekah Copeland | Brooke Butler
Cleo Webber | Colleen Denadel | Dana Lipfert | Eybrany Alvarado | Heather Greene | Jamie Robinson
Jenna Howard | Kailey Karabin | Karina Ramirez-Luckert | Kat Travers | Katie Kasubke | Lauren McCulley
Lilian Garcia | Paige Molnar | Sadjo Sidikou | Sarah Hansen