Here’s who will appear at the 2021 virtual Inspiring Women in STEM Conference

Delaware Bio’s Inspiring Women in STEM (IWSTEM) Conference returns for its ninth year on October 14 as a virtual event with a  lineup of Delaware STEM leaders, best-selling authors and global science executives.

“Every year we strive to provide an array of dynamic and diverse speakers and programming that motivates, supports  and inspires STEM professionals – including both women and men in all facets of their STEM-based careers,” said  IWSTEM organizer and Delaware Bio marketing manager Jamie Pedrick. “The caliber of women participating in this year’s Inspiring Women in STEM Conference is extraordinary and personifies the value and significance of this conference.”

This year’s half-day event will feature:

• A fireside chat with Dr. Michelle-McMurry-Heath, president and CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Dr. Katharine Knobil, chief medical officer at Agilent and Peggy Scherle, Ph.D.,  chief scientific officer, Prelude Therapeutics.
• A talk by Michelle Washington, founder and CEO of Women of MORE
• A talk by New York Times best-selling author Gloria Feldt; attendees will receive a copy of her new book, “Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics and How Women Will Take The Leas.”
• Mentoring sessions hosted by more than a dozen Delaware female STEM leaders, including Jennifer Cohan, CEO of Leadership Delaware, Melissa Harrington, Ph.D., associate VP for research at Delaware State  University and Brett Sansbury, Ph.D., leader of the discovery research group at ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute.

While IWSTEM was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, its founder, Jennifer Kmiec, felt it was important to bring it back this year in a virtual format.

“Even though most of us are working from home, it’s important to continue growing professionally by participating in online conferences like Inspiring Women in STEM,” she said. “The 2021 program offers the opportunity to learn from top industry executives, expand our  networks, and upgrade our skills.”