Bolder Way Forward for Utah

STEM Fields                                                                                                        A Bolder Way Forward Logo

Nationally and locally, fewer women obtain STEM-related college degrees and work in STEM-related occupations, and they leave STEM careers once employed at disproportionate rates compared to men. Because of this, the US and Utah STEM workforce remains predominantly male. Significant disparities also exist for women within trade industries in Utah (such as manufacturing and construction). The STEM Fields spoke focuses on strengthening the interest in and economic impact of women in science, technology, engineering, and math by focusing on sustainable strategies, initiatives, and programs at every stage of the talent pipeline. The entities and individuals aligned with this spoke are interested in creating classrooms (K-12 to higher education) and workplace environments focused on inclusivity and high performance in these “non-traditional” fields. To learn more, check out the resource box below.

Spoke Leaders

Cydni Tetro

Cydni Tetro

Co-Founder/President, WTC
LinkedIn Profile

Cyd Tetro is the Co-Founder/President of Women Tech Council as well as the CEO of Avao. She is an innovator of experience, a growth leader, technologist, STEM advocate, author, and speaker.




Women Tech Council

Kristin Wright

Kristin Wright

Programs Director, WTC
LinkedIn Profile

Kristin Wright is the Programs Director of Women Tech Council. She has a demonstrated history of working in the tech industry and is skilled in budgeting, business planning, operations management, and analytical skills. 

Aimee Edwards

Aimee Edwards

Executive Director, BioHive
LinkedIn Profile

Aimee Edwards is the Executive Director of BioHive. Having worked in both the public and private sectors, she has a broad range of leadership experience in building community, branding and public policy.

 

Biohive

University of Utah

Stacy Firth

Stacy Firth

Assistant Professor, U of U
LinkedIn Profile

Stacy K. Firth is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah, specializing in K-12 and undergraduate engineering education. She has developed several courses and curricula, enhancing education around sustainability in engineering, and hands-on learning in Process Control theory.

Bold Vision & Goals

To make Utah a place where more girls and women can thrive, the STEM Fields spoke leaders and partners have crafted the vision and goals below.

Vision: Ensure that all Utah girls and women have a choice to pursue career opportunities in STEM or other nontraditional female fields.

Goals: 

  1. Increase the percentage of women earning STEM degrees and certificates in Utah by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
  2. Increase the percentage of women faculty in STEM programs at Utah public universities and technology colleges by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metric Forthcoming]
  3. Increase the percentage of women in Technology occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. [Metrics Forthcoming in 2025]
    1. Increase the number of women taking entry level Technology occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030.
    2. Increase the number of women being promoted in Technology occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. 
    3. Increase the number of women in management roles in Technology occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030.
    4. Increase the number of women in executive positions in Technology occupations or companies in the Technology industry by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030. 
  4. Increase the percentage of women in Science, Engineering, and Math occupations by 5% in 2026 and 10% in 2030.
  5. Change Utahns’ agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas: [Metric Dashboard]
    1. Women can be successful in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) jobs in Utah. [Increase agreement by 5% by 2026 and 10% by 2030]
    2. We don’t need more women in STEM fields in Utah. [Decrease agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]
    3. STEM jobs are not more difficult than jobs in other industries in Utah. [Increase women’s agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]
    4. Women can successfully advance their careers in STEM industries in Utah. [Increase agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]

Thriving Statement: Women and girls thrive when they believe in their inherent ability, have the choice to pursue career opportunities in STEM or other nontraditional female fields, and can do so successfully. 

Partners

Women Who Code Salt Lake City

World Trade Center Utah
 

UMA

Angela Trego

University of Utah

 

Club Ability


Northrop Grumman

Sundt Construction & PCL Construction

Proxima Careers


 

Working Group Leaders

 What You Can Do

phone with the word "post"

Highlight and recognize women working in STEM and other nontraditional female fields on social media. Post with #bwfSTEM and #bwfutah.

icon of woman working with chemical

Talk to girls and young women about opportunities in STEM related fields. Invite them to events and discussions about opportunities in STEM and other non- traditional female fields for women (see the Resources section on this page for ideas).

reaching for the stars

Encourage Utah women employed in STEM and other nontraditional female fields to seek and pursue advancements in their organizations. To ensure more women thrive in Utah workplaces, it is critical to increase women in entry level, supervisory, management, and top leadership roles in these fields.



Get Engaged: Ways to get engaged include joining a targeted working group (establishing a baseline, program development, education & awareness outreach); creating and leading your own working group; and supporting existing programs and efforts. If you would like to get involved in the STEM Fields spoke of A Bolder Way Forward, please fill out this form. Thank you for your interest!

Ashley Patterson

Ashley Patterson

Spoke Coordinator
LinkedIn Profile
Envelope ashleyp.bwf@gmail.com