Thank You! ITWomen Role Model Speakers 2013

Special Mention to the following companies and individuals for their tireless efforts in dedicated partnering throughout the year:

• ABB Optical (Bert Hucks) partnership with Atlantic Technical Center in Broward County
• ADT/ Tyco (Natalie MacDonald) renewed partnership with John I Leonard High School in Palm Beach County
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) team: role models in Broward and Miami-Dade
• Perry Ellis International (Luis Paez) new partnership with Miami Sunset Senior High School

Announcing New School Partners!

1. Millennium Middle School, Broward County — led by Alicia Salas, lead teacher and Coordinator of the Girls Get IT Club
2. New River Middle School, Broward County — led by Katherine O’Fallon, Magnet Coordinator
3. Miami Lakes Technical Education Center — Lead teacher & AOIT Administrative team led by Dr. James Parker and Marlon Vernon

ITWomen Role Model Speakers 2013
Role Model Speaker
Company
John Ceraolo
3C Interactive
Muhammed Islam
AAJ Technologies
Bert Hucks
ABB Optical
Eric Pereyz
ABB Optical
Lee Allen
ABB Optical
Margaret DeHaan
ABB Optical
Robert Mull
ABB Optical
Debra Fox
ADT/ Tyco
Jason Malley
ADT/ Tyco
Kelly LongAcre
ADT/ Tyco
Marcy Hainsworth
ADT/ Tyco
Natalie McDonald
ADT/ Tyco
Velma Ferguson
ADT/ Tyco
Sabine LaRose
Baptist Health Systems
Teresita Walkington
Baptist Health Systems
Elizabeth Canchola
Bright & Smart
Lucy Tamez
Bright & Smart
Donna Santiago
Broward County: Office of Transportation
Carl Archie
Broward County: Water & Wastewater Management
Dr Dawn Piper
Brown Mackie College
Sandra Peart
Canadian Consulate
Suzan McDowell
Circle of One Marketing
Kathy Ericcson
Citrix
Dr Neera Bhansali
Florida International University
Captain Arnold Tolbert
Florida Memorial University
Bettina Meles
Formerly of Motorola
Mahala Saunders
Kids for Kids Healthcare System
Victoria Usherenko
Liaison Associates
Erica Redman
Miami-Dade College
Rory Lee
Make-Up by Rory
Rudo Boothe
Monseqaxtle
JoAnn Calcagno
Movie Tickets.com
Alejandra Lorenzo
NOAA
Chris Kelble
NOAA
Daniel Morales (intern)
NOAA
Erica Rule
NOAA
Hallee Metzer
NOAA
Lt. Rachel Kotkowski
NOAA
Rennellys Perez
NOAA
Carlos de Jesus
Nova Southeastern University
Amy Roman
Perry Ellis International
Susana Otero-Zavala
Perry Ellis International
Rhonda Smith
Rhegal Consulting
Jeanine Graham-Bellamy
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Gressica Tortolano
SapientNitro
Jacqulyn Williams
Southeastern College, Miami
Claire Marrero
Talent Search
Brandon Groves
The Art Institute
Cassandra Theramine
The Art Institute
Nancy Van Nest
Tyco
Victor Herrera
Verizon Terremark
Kendall Brown
Xerox
Debbie Miller
Yahoo!

Role Model Speakers – 2013 Snapshots
HerWorld Conference at DeVry University, Miramar, FL

Topic: My STEMspiration
Role Model Speakers: Sandra Peart, Canadian Consulate (far right); Lucy Tamez (center), of Bright & Smart Robotics and Siris Garcia, ITWomen scholarship recipient.
March 6, 2013

Summary

The all-day event was well attended by over 198 girls from schools in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties selected by Women of Tomorrow. ITWomen provided role models Sandra Peart and Lucy Tamez who spoke about their inspiration to pursue a career in STEM. They shared their personal love for math and the sciences as well as seeing a technical career as a way out of poverty for their family. And the third panelist, Siris Garcia is an ITWomen scholarship recipient who had attended HerWorld in prior years and currently pursuing an engineering degree at DeVry University.
ITWomen introduced the robot-build workshop that engaged the girls with each other and the project. For some, this occurred after they got over their initial shock of being separated into groups with “new friends” as the project unfolded. They learned firsthand that there were different skill sets and talents at their table and how it was most effective to recognize and use that appropriately.

PACE Center for Girls – Broward
Topic: Robotics
Role Model Speaker: Lucy Tamez, CEO, Founder, Bright & Smart Robotics
Feb. 20, 2013

Summary

Lucy Tamez, CEO and Founder of Bright and Smart Robotics engaged a group of girls ages 14-17 from the very start of her session on robotics. They quickly adopted the roles required in team-building, and took ownership for their role in the success of the finished product – a pair of chirping, dancing birds. The girls at PACE Center created and wired robots from Lego pieces following written instructions then programmed the finished robot for audio and movement. Afterwards, their faces beamed with pride and a really great sense of personal accomplishment as they left the workshop feeling like rock star robotics experts.

Miami Sunset Senior High School
Topic: Explanation of IT at Perry Ellis
Roe Model Speaker: Luis Paez, CIO
Feb 13, 2013

Summary
Luis Paez, Chief Information Office (CIO) of Perry Ellis International, Inc. served as ITWomen’s Role Model Speaker at Miami Sunset Senior High School February 28, 2013. Students enrolled in the National Academy Foundation Academy of Information Technology and Academy of Engineering was provided a presentation that highlighted the integration of IT throughout all of the operations of Perry Ellis. As a former Miami –Dade – County Public School student, he openly shared his personal journey that provided key experiences necessary for success in the world of Information Technology. Mr. Paez encouraged students to prepare themselves to enter an open yet competitive IT job market.

Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida
Topic: Water Quality and Everglades Restoration
Role Model Speakers: Dr. Chris Kelble and Student Intern, Hallee Meltzer
March 9, 2013

Summary
Dr. Chris Kelble, NOAA Oceanographer and Hallee Meltzer, Student Intern served as Role Model Speakers for the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida’s March 9th Retreat. The presentation was very informative and designed to engage the girls in hands – on science activities that demonstrated the concepts learned from the research shared on Water Quality and the current Everglades Restoration Project. The activities included opportunities to measure water quality of water samples taken from the Everglades, examine a variety of fish samples, measure water grass and experience net viewing. The girls were encouraged to do well in school with emphasis placed on mathematics and science classes.

South Broward High School
Topic: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Career Paths
Role Model Speakers: Erica Rule, Dr. Renellys Perez, Lt. Rachel Kotkowski
March 5, 2013

Summary:

The three speakers from NOAA did a SUPER tag-team presentation at South Broward High School to 130 boys and girls. Given the questions and inquiries made during and after their very engaging and informative presentation, the students’ feedback came as no surprise. Some of the comments they left were “… want to know more about how to volunteer with NOAA — what goes into an application form…” and “… how can I apply for the scholarships…”, “… the future of fossil fuel research…” and “… my eyes were opened to how much you can do at NOAA…” My favorite comment was: “… it gave me hope for the future…”

At the end of it all, their lead teacher, Mr. Ted Davis, had this to say, “Thank you once again for making it possible for our maritime girls to “see” what they may not have been able to dream about if it weren’t for IT Women. You made a difference today. Good job!”