There is so much incredible expertise within our parent and alumni community, and our high school FemSTEM group has been lucky to learn from it this year. Thanks to Grade 12 students Ellie Kothari and Naomi Coca Shimizu, who organized the visiting guest speakers, students have been hearing real stories from women working across different STEM fields, what their careers look like, how they got there, and the twists and turns along the way.

This week, students welcomed Nathalie Roberts, alumni parent of Diego Recinos (Class of 2024). Nathalie shared how her unexpected path, from studying business to working with the CDC, WHO, UN agencies, and global NGOs, led her into public health, outbreak response, and pandemic preparedness around the world. Her message to students was simple but powerful: STEM careers aren’t one-size-fits-all, and your skills, passions, and experiences can take you farther than you think.

Earlier this year, FemSTEM also welcomed two other parent speakers: Marta Parente, who spoke about her work in the pharmaceutical industry, and Dr. Sarah Harris, who shared her journey in medicine. Each of them has given our students a window into what STEM looks like beyond the classroom, and the many ways to make an impact.

We’re grateful to all our speakers for inspiring the next generation and showing our students just how wide the world of STEM really is.

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