WOMEN IN STEM Stakeholders Report
Progress Update and Strategic Pathway
JANUARY 2025
Prepared by: Dr. Shara Cohen, Founder & CEO
Introduction
Over the past six months, we have made significant progress toward building the Women in STEM Network (WinS), a platform designed to empower women globally in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This initiative bridges the STEM skills gap through mentorship, recruitment, training, and professional networking.
At this pivotal stage, securing partners, sponsors, and investors is critical to move forward and achieve our vision.
Progress Highlights
1. Abstracts Accepted and Grant Secured
Professor Sharon Brookes, a key member of our board,
will present two talks at the Microbiology Society’s annual event:
- Mums in Science: A 17-Year Journey Supporting Women in STEM: Showcasing our history of soft skills development
- Empowering Women in Microbiology: Actionable Strategies for Global Equity: Presenting solutions to gender equity barriers
Professor Brookes secured a grant from the Microbiology Society to support these presentations, reflecting their importance to the STEM
community.
2. Royal Society of Biology Interview
I was recently interviewed by the Royal Society of Biology to discuss the Women in STEM platform. They will feature our work on International Women’s Day, showcasing our impact on women in STEM globally
3. Sponsorship and Partnership Efforts
- Active discussions are underway with sponsors for webinars, branding opportunities, and partnerships
- We have
partnered with Women Against Fundamentalism, SheInSpace, Coding Black Females, Colour in STEM, and WeSpeak Mentoring.
- WeSpeak Mentoring focuses on supporting girls under 18 to access higher education. Their collaboration with WinS will enhance our reach and impact in inspiring the next generation of women in STEM
4. Platform
Development
5. Supporting Returners to STEM
- MiS has a strong history of helping women return to STEM careers through our informal network of corporate sponsors. The new
platform will formalize and expand these efforts.
- Returners will have access to instructional webinars currently under development. Topics include leadership, upskilling, and navigating workplace transitions.
- The mentorship hub will connect returners with experienced professionals, and the recruitment hub will provide tailored placements based on their skills and career goals
6. Expanding Outreach
- We will leverage and
grow our social media networks and collaborate widely with aligned organizations to maximize reach and engagement.
Development Timeline (Post-Funding)
Once first-phase funding is secured, we will execute the following phased development plan, led by a team of trusted partners:
Phase 1: Initial Development and Branding
- Capital Numbers: Creation of a Software Requirement Specification (SRS) and platform
development.
- MakeUs.Care and PurpleDeer.Studio: Branding and user-focused wireframes
Phase 2: Platform Build and SEO
- Capital Numbers: Full platform development, including the mentorship and recruitment hubs.
- PurpleDeer.Studio: Refining wireframes for a seamless user experience.
- Edge45: On-page and off-page SEO strategies to optimize
visibility.
Phase 3: Public Relations and Marketing
- Higginson Strategy: Leading PR campaigns to promote diversity in STEM and engage sponsors
Phase 4: Content Creation and Launch Preparation
- Develop a robust library of instructional webinars to support all platfrorm members.
- Collaborate with sponsors and partners to create structured pathways for returners and
career seekers.
Phase 5: Scaling and Community Building
- Expand the mentorship and recruitment hubs based on early user feedback.
- Targeted campaigns to attract corporate and individual memberships.
Strategic Pathway Forward
To achieve the full potential of WinS, we will focus on:
- Securing Partners: Expanding collaborations with organizations aligned with our
mission.
- Attracting Sponsors: Finalizing sponsorship agreements to fund key features and platform development.
- Engaging Investors: Raising capital to achieve development milestones and operational readiness.
Closing Remarks
The Women in STEM Network is a transformative initiative designed to empower women, bridge the STEM skills gap, and promote equity. While the groundwork has been laid, our
success now relies on securing the partnerships, sponsorships, and investments needed to bring this vision to life.
We are grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to building this future together.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss collaboration opportunities, please feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
Dr. Shara Cohen
Founder and CEO
Mums in Science
Ltd