What inspired your journey as a founder and leader in this space?

Joni: My journey was not a direct line but rather a winding road through various careers. Initially, my career spanned global corporate consulting and education. The real catalyst, however, came during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnessing the alarming number of children losing access to learning—whether through lack of resources or support—compelled me to act. Together with Rebecca and other passionate women, we saw an opportunity to make a significant difference. The drive was simple: no child should be left behind, especially not on our watch.

Rebecca: Coming from a strong science background, with a Ph.D. in molecular biology, I've always noticed a glaring absence of women within STEM. So when the opportunity to create Full STEAM Forward presented itself, I jumped on it with a desire to not only mitigate that learning loss during the pandemic but to also encourage young girls to pursue science. By creating a platform that not only educates but also instills confidence in girls, we want to pave the way for a future where women scientists are no longer the exception, but the norm.

As a woman, what does leadership mean to you? How would you describe your leadership style and approach?

Joni: Leadership, to me, transcends gender. It's about vision, decisiveness, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. My leadership style? I'd say it's forthright and demanding—I set high standards and expect nothing less from my team. But it's not about being 'tough'; it's about clarity, making decisions, and moving forward with purpose. Throughout my career, I've learned the importance of making your voice heard, a lesson I carry with me into every meeting and decision.

Rebecca: My approach is rooted in collaboration and consensus-building, traits I honed in the scientific community. I believe in the strength of diverse voices and the power of collective intelligence. Leadership involves nurturing confidence—both in ourselves and in those we lead. It's about showing up, being seen, and affirming that we, as women, can make invaluable contributions in any field, including STEM.

What piece of advice would you give to women and girls aspiring to leadership roles?

Joni: Firstly, find your leadership style—it must be authentic to you. Secondly, seek out mentors; they're crucial for guidance and growth. Thirdly, don't be afraid to speak up; your ideas matter. Lastly, understand that balancing personal and professional aspirations might mean making tough choices. Remember, it's about timing; not every opportunity can be pursued simultaneously.

Rebecca: Leaders are not born; they are self-made, and the foundation of effective leadership is self-confidence and courage. To build that, you must surround yourself with role models and mentors who embody the qualities you admire, and seek out leaders who look like you. A key part of leadership, as I have learned from Joni in these last three years, is inspiring trust and to do that, you have to trust yourself first.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to achieve through your work with your organization?

Joni: The dream is to scale Full STEAM Forward to a point where we're making a tangible difference in the lives of as many young girls as possible. Whether it's through expanding our reach or deepening our impact with each child we work with, success means fostering a love for STEM that transforms our students into future scientists, engineers, and leaders. Of course, scaling depends on resources, but every girl we inspire is a step toward that larger vision.

Rebecca: Our mission is to demystify STEM for girls, particularly those from underrepresented communities. By exposing them to diverse role models and hands-on learning experiences, we aim to spark a lifelong passion for science and technology. Ultimately, it's not just about building future careers in STEM, but equipping these young women with the confidence and skills to succeed in any path they choose.