WOMEN IN STEM Stakeholders Report

Published: Mon, 03/10/25

WOMEN IN STEM Stakeholders Report

Progress Update

March 2025
Prepared by: Dr. Shara Cohen, Founder & CEO

Introduction

The Women in STEM Network (WinS) is rapidly gaining momentum as a global movement dedicated to empowering women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In the last month alone, we have achieved significant milestones, including being recognized as an official CPD provider, gaining media recognition for our work, expanding our community of founding ambassadors and founding members, and securing our first founding sponsor. With growing membership, increasing corporate engagement, and international recognition, the Women in STEM Network is evolving into a powerful movement that will support women in STEM through mentorship, career development, and networking opportunities. In this update, I am pleased to share our recent achievements and ongoing initiatives.

Founding Ambassadors – A Global Movement

Our Founding Ambassadors are playing a pivotal role in helping us grow the Women in STEM Network. Their leadership, expertise, and connections are instrumental in expanding our reach and connecting with sponsors.

Founding Ambassadors by Country

Australia: Riya Gill, Hannah Mikkelson, Tracey Martin
Canada: Ekroop Grewal, Kamila Morad
Algeria: Dr. Zakia Alioua
United States: Segen Kubrom
Nigeria: Kaosolu Chinwuba
Kenya: Catherine Maina, Candy Maingi
Israel: Dr. Tamar Zehavi Chkola, Dr. Miri Morgulis, Polina Aliev
South Africa: Dr. Ida Wilson, Dr. Liesl Arendse
United Kingdom: Syed Zarak Hassan, Professor Sharon Brookes, Dr. Marisa Amato, Dr. Ruth Morse, Heba Nashid
Qatar: Dr. Shilu Mathew
France: Dr. Ikram Mahmoudi
Ethiopia: Nesredin Hassen Yesuf
Somalia: Eng. Muna Abdirahman
Ukraine: Dr. Taisiia Mukii
India: Silpa Anoop, Suneeksha Devendra Shinde
Nepal: Eeda Rijal
United Arab Emirates: Dr. Nina Rezec, Rehab Jamali, Salma Ahmed
Germany: Professor Vasiliki E. Kalodimou
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Baraka Kweli Birindwa
Sri Lanka: Dr. Yvonne Anesta

I am incredibly grateful to our ambassadors, whose dedication and outreach have moved this initiative forward faster than we could have achieved alone.

Their efforts are helping us build meaningful partnerships and expand the network globally.

Early Member Sign-Ups – Building Momentum

We are now actively inviting early members to sign up for the Women in STEM Network. This initiative helps us engage with our audience early, refine platform features based on their feedback, and build a strong, active community ahead of the official launch.

Early sign-ups are growing steadily, with strong interest from professionals and companies.
Early members are helping shape the platform by providing insights into features and support they need most.
Several companies have shown interest in partnering with us, recognizing the value of being part of a movement dedicated to diversity in STEM.

This momentum is crucial as we prepare for platform rebuild, expansion and growth.

Sponsorship Outreach and Corporate Engagement

Our dedicated volunteers and leadership team have initiated sponsorship discussions with companies in multiple sectors. Companies recognize the value of supporting the Women in STEM Network and are exploring opportunities for:

Webinars
Brand partnerships
Mentorship initiatives
STEM training programs

We are pleased to announce that Dahlia Recruitment is our first founding sponsor.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Building strong partnerships is a key part of our strategy to expand the Women in STEM Network and deliver valuable resources to our members. In the past month, we have established meaningful collaborations with organizations and leaders that align with our mission to empower women in STEM.

New Partnership with Dame Commander Dr. Susan Jewell

We are excited to announce our partnership with Dame Commander Dr. Susan Jewell, a pioneering leader in space medicine, astronautics, and frontier technologies.

Partnerships with Key Organizations

We have also partnered with several influential organizations that are dedicated to advancing diversity, inclusion, and mentorship in STEM:

Women Against Fundamentalism
SheInSpace
Coding Black Females
Colour in STEM
WeSpeak Mentoring

Our partnership with WeSpeak Mentoring is particularly exciting, as they focus on supporting girls under 18 to access higher education. Through this collaboration, we aim to expand our reach and impact, inspiring the next generation of women in STEM by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for career development.

These partnerships are essential to strengthening the Women in STEM Network, enabling us to offer diverse resources, connect with underrepresented groups, and create meaningful pathways for women and girls in STEM.

Global Recognition, Grants, and Thought Leadership

International Day of Women and Girls in STEM | February 11, 2025

Lead panelist

I had the privilege of serving as a lead panelist at the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM. This high-profile global event, organized by HolyNations Int’l Ministries, brought together industry experts to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and solutions for women in STEM careers.

During the panel, we explored key topics such as:

Overcoming gender biases and barriers in STEM
Scholarships, funding, and mentorship programs available for women
Career development strategies for leadership roles

With over 100 participants from the UK, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and the US, this event significantly increased the visibility of the Women in STEM Network and deepened our engagement with international STEM networks.

Featured Interview

The Royal Society of Biology interviewed me about the Women in STEM platform. The interview showcased our efforts to a global audience.

Both events have strengthened our position as a key player in global efforts to support women in STEM. These opportunities have allowed us to further promote our mission, build connections, and expand our impact on a worldwide scale.

International Women’s Day Feature | March 8, 2025

To mark International Women’s Day the Royal Society of Biology featured me in recognition of my leadership of Women in STEM and my commitment to developing the WiSN platform.

We are also proud to have our work featured in two major publications released on International Women’s Day 2025. These were both writen by our Women in Stem Ambassador: Assist. Professor Dr. Vasiliki E. Kalodimou

Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Empowering Women and Girls in STEM

Author: Assist. Professor Dr. Vasiliki E. Kalodimou
Published in: Drug Target Review

Shaping Tomorrow: Empowering Women in STEM

Author: Assist. Professor Dr. Vasiliki E. Kalodimou
Editor: Dr. Vassilia Orfanou, COO, LUDCI.eu
Published by: Luxembourg’s Diplomacy and Communications Institute (LUDCI.eu)

Recognition and Grant Success

Professor Sharon Brookes, one of our board members, will present two impactful talks at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference April 2025:

Mums in Science: A 17-Year Journey Supporting Women in STEM
Empowering Women in Microbiology: Actionable Strategies for Global Equity

These presentations will showcase the Women in STEM Network's commitment to diversity and the future of STEM.

The Microbiology Society has awarded a grant to support these presentations, reinforcing the importance of our platform in advancing gender diversity in STEM

Reach & Growth – Expanding Our Community

Our digital presence continues to expand, reflecting growing global interest in the Women in STEM Network:

Facebook Growth: Our following has grown from 18,000 to 20,000 followers
LinkedIn Growth: Our company page has now reached 1,100 followers
Instagram Expansion: Our new Instagram page is already gaining traction

Official CPD Provider – Recognized for Webinars & Spotlight Series

The Women in STEM Network is now an official CPD (Continuing Professional Development) provider.

This certification allows our members to:

Earn CPD credits for professional development
Gain valuable knowledge while boosting career credentials
Access structured, accredited content that supports lifelong learning

This CPD accreditation adds further value to our webinars and Spotlight Series, strengthening our commitment to meaningful, recognized learning experiences

Closing Remarks

In the last month, the Women in STEM Network has made remarkable progress. With new publications highlighting our work, increased media recognition, and high-profile speaking engagements, our network is gaining visibility on a global scale.

Our continued collaboration with industry leaders, coupled with our growing community of founding members and ambassadors, is driving meaningful change for women in STEM. As we prepare for the next phase of development, our commitment to providing valuable resources, mentorship, and career support remains stronger than ever.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our ambassadors, members, and partners, whose contributions are helping us build a powerful network that will create lasting change for women in STEM worldwide.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to sharing more exciting updates in the months ahead.

If you are interested in sponsorship, investment, partnerships, or becoming an a founding member, please reach out today.

Best regards,
Dr. Shara Cohen
Founder and CEO, Women in STEM Network
Mums in Science Ltd

Highstone House
165 High Street
Barnet Hertfordshire EN5 5SU
GB

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