Leading STEM education and professional associations came together for a special fireside chat with Congresswoman Luz Rivas to explore opportunities in the 119th Congress to engage, retain, and advance women and girls in STEM.
With over 300 attendees, the event featured an insightful discussion with leaders from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Panelists engaged in a candid conversation with Congresswoman Rivas about the power of advocacy, storytelling, and community-driven initiatives in shaping STEM legislation and driving economic growth.
As the first Latina in Congress with a STEM background, Representative Rivas drew from her experience as a former state legislator, founder of the STEM-focused nonprofit DIY Girls, and private sector professional. She emphasized the critical role of storytelling in bridging educational gaps, fostering allyship, and incentivizing progress. She also underscored that advocacy at all levels of government (federal, state, county, municipal, and special district) has been a driving force in creating meaningful change.
Leaders from AISES, SWE, NSBE, and SHPE highlighted the importance of a diverse STEM workforce, not only as a catalyst for innovation but also as a key driver of economic prosperity. STEM industries contribute 69% of the U.S. GDP and generate $2.3 trillion in annual federal tax revenue, underscoring their critical role in national growth and global competitiveness. However, sustaining and expanding this impact requires a robust and inclusive STEM talent pipeline. With the industry projected to need 11.8 million new workers by 2030, leveraging the collective strength of our memberships is essential to cultivating a skilled, diverse, and future-ready workforce. Expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in STEM is not just a matter of equity, it is an economic imperative.
To close the fireside chat, members from each organization participated in a forward-thinking debrief session, reflecting on key takeaways and discussing how they resonated with their own STEM journeys. This proactive dialogue provided a space to highlight key learnings, share insights, and identify opportunities for growth as we move forward in the new Congress.
We are incredibly grateful to our engaged audience and our guest of honor, Congresswoman Rivas, for their participation in this critically needed conversation. Special thanks to our esteemed hosts—Karen Horting (SWE CEO), Sarah Echohawk (AISES CEO), Dr. Tiffini Andorful (NSBE Chief Programs & Membership Officer), Suzanna Valdez-Wolf (SHPE CEO), Jenny Tsao (SWE), Taylor Scott (NSBE), Sunny Myers (AISES), Melanie Weber (SHPE), and Mariana Acuña (SHPE) for their leadership, dedication, and collaboration in making this event a tremendous success. And a special shout of gratitude to Giovanna Salazar (SHPE) for her behind-the-scenes support of the event.
SPECIAL MESSAGES ABOUT WOMEN & GIRLS IN STEM
We also received video messages from three legislators across the country in honor of International Day of Women & Girls in STEM. Thank you to Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-8), and Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) for taking the time to share their thoughts with all of us on this important day.