- Need Technical Assistance? catalyzingchange@getvfairs.io
Catalyzing Change: From Curriculum to Career
April 13, 2022 8:30 am – 5:05 pm EST
Join us for this virtual forum designed to bring together students of all ages, educators, and industry to showcase the mid-Atlantic region’s STEM opportunities and resources, and to discuss current and future talent skills and needs. This full day event is packed with content including keynote speakers, panel discussions, and opportunities to connect with the innovative companies that are creating job opportunities in the region.
Middle & High School Students: explore the many possibilities available in the world of STEM and the companies that are creating the opportunities for you.
Undergrads & Post Grads: Connect, learn about and network with the companies and individuals that are developing, commercializing and manufacturing the products of the future and consider the best options for you once you graduate.
Educators & Faculty: Learn more about the evolving talent and skills needs of today’s companies, connect and exchange ideas with peers, and learn about new resources available to you and your students.
Industry: An opportunity for companies of all sizes to educate your future workforce about your industry, your company, your products and your culture, as well as showcasing current and future internships and career opportunities.
8:30 — 9:00 am
Dora Cheatham
Executive Director, DESCA
Don Baker
CEO, FAME, Inc.
Bethany Hall-Long
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
Myoshi Aubain
Global Integrated Operations Leader - E&I, DuPont
9:00 — 10:00am
Kimberly Markiewicz
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, DuPont
Mark Holodick, Ed.D
Secretary of Education, State of Delaware
10:00 — 10:15 am 10:15 — 11:30 amJobs in STEM no longer mean sitting in a lab doing benchwork. New technologies, industries and needs are emerging and with that comes the need for new STEM skills. Since COVID-19 there has also been a dramatic change in the decisions that young people are making in terms of further/ advanced education as alternative educational opportunities arise. A panel discussion on how this landscape is unfolding and how industry, educators and students can adapt.
Moderator: Dr. Thomas Tubon
Chief Workforce Development Officer, BioMADE MII
Dr. Esosa Iriowen
Adjunct Professor and Science Program Coordinator, Wilmington University
Dr. Katie Lakofsky
Director of Workforce Development & Community Education Delaware Technical Community College
Greg Lindner
Research & Technical Director, Croda
Sarah Lynn
Director of Workforce and Military Initiatives, Tallo
Bernardo Tiburcio
Director of Digital Innovation, Data and Analytics, DuPont
11:30 — 12:45 pmRoundtable discussion where employees and students speak candidly about what they are looking for from employers
Moderator: Courtney Michener-Miller
Director of Talent and Development, AstraZeneca
Cameron Bremer
Student, University of Delaware
Chris Cowan
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Christiana Care
Jillian Cournoyer
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and Executive Recruiter, Ashland
Rob Frascella
Pharmaceutical Consultant, CAI
Taylor Jacobs
Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Dr Arnav Malkani
Senior Scientist, Chemical Engineering Research and Development Department, Merck
Faith Olasupo
Student, Delaware State University
Daniel Pileggi
Biopharmaceutical Automation Engineer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Lisa Swartzentruber
Tread Compound Development Engineer, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Sean Uhl
Mfg. Technology Director, Advanced Performance Materials, The Chemours Company
Dr. Yifan Wang
Machine Learning Research Scientist, Meta platforms (previously Facebook)
12:45 — 1:15 pm 1:15 — 2:30 pmPublic school educators are reporting higher levels of anxiety, stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a quick and difficult transition to full-time virtual learning, to the unrelenting pressure to return to school before the approval of the vaccines, to being targets in heated, potentially dangerous political battles, educators have endured staggering levels of anxiety and pressure. If the education system is to avoid the fast approaching "teacher turnover cliff," districts and school leaders have to focus on structural change in schools beyond doing what is necessary to fill shortages.
Moderator: Lakia Belcher
Program Director, FAME, Inc.
Ryne Anthony
Director of Innovation, Fluxspace
Tawanda J. Bond
Ed.D., Director of Equity & Strategic Partnerships, Red Clay Consolidated School District
Dr. Jason L. James Jr
Director of Doctor of Education, Neumann University
Tamara Smith
CEO, Teach for America
Jahsha Tabron
English Teacher, Brandywine High School, Delaware Teacher of the Year
2:30 — 3:45 pmHow can industry and academia better engage with each to create courses, curricula and credentials that are harmonized with the evolving needs of the market place in terms of knowledge, technology and skill sets?
Moderator: Dr. John Koh
Director, Delaware BioTechnology Institute
Linnea Fletcher
Executive Director - NSF InnovATEBIO National Biotechnology Education Center
Dr. Lauren Markell
R&D Ecosystem Manager, FMC
Dr. Patricia Stevens
Enterprise Technology Domain Integration Leader, Platform Systems and Subsystems, The Boeing Company
Dr. Levi Thompson
Dean of the College of Engineering, University of Delaware
3:45 — 4:30 PM 4:30 — 5:00 pmOur brains are not fixed, and the brain’s neuroplasticity can be leveraged to change how we think and behave. Our speaker talks about how to leverage that plasticity to alter belief systems that no longer serve us, build new habits, develop and grow, and help others to do the same
Paul Gaskell
Executive Coach, On N Up Coaching
5:00 — 5:05 pm 8:30 — 9:00 amDora Cheatham
Executive Director, DESCA
Don Baker
CEO, FAME, Inc.
Bethany Hall-Long
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
Myoshi Aubain
Global Integrated Operations Leader - E&I, DuPont
9:00 — 10:00amKimberly Markiewicz
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, DuPont
Mark Holodick, Ed.D
Secretary of Education, State of Delaware
10:00 — 10:15 am 10:15 — 11:30 amJobs in STEM no longer mean sitting in a lab doing benchwork. New technologies, industries and needs are emerging and with that comes the need for new STEM skills. Since COVID-19 there has also been a dramatic change in the decisions that young people are making in terms of further/advanced education as alternative educational opportunities arise. A panel discussion on how this landscape is unfolding and how industry, educators and students can adapt
Moderator: Dr. Thomas Tubon
Chief Workforce Development Officer, BioMADE MII
Dr. Esosa Iriowen
Adjunct Professor and Science Program Coordinator, Wilmington University
Dr. Katie Lakofsky
Director of Workforce Development & Community Education Delaware Technical Community College
Greg Lindner
Research & Technical Director, Croda
Sarah Lynn
Director of Workforce and Military Initiatives, Tallo
Bernardo Tiburcio
Director of Digital Innovation, Data and Analytics, DuPont
11:30 — 12:45 pmRoundtable discussion where employees and students speak candidly about what they are looking for from employers
Moderator: Courtney Michener-Miller
Director of Talent and Development, AstraZeneca
Cameron Bremer
Student, University of Delaware
Chris Cowan
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Christiana Care
Jillian Cournoyer
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and Executive Recruiter, Ashland
Rob Frascella
Pharmaceutical Consultant, CAI
Taylor Jacobs
Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Danielle Lazarazo
Global Supply Manager, Apple
Dr Arnav Malkani
Senior Scientist, Chemical Engineering Research and Development Department, Merck
Faith Olasupo
Student, Delaware State University
Daniel Pileggi
Biopharmaceutical Automation Engineer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Lisa Swartzentruber
Tread Compound Development Engineer, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Sean Uhl
Mfg. Technology Director, Advanced Performance Materials, The Chemours Company
Dr. Yifan Wang
Machine Learning Research Scientist, Meta platforms (previously Facebook)
12:45 — 1:15 pm 1:15 — 1:45 pmIf there’s one word in the working world that makes introverts cringe the most, it’s “networking.” The very idea causes stress and anxiety. But it’s an important – and learnable - skill. Our speaker provides tools and techniques to help you take the plunge!
Karen Leung
Biotechnology Instructor & Internship Coordinator, City College of San Francisco
1:45 — 2:45 pmUnderstanding how to effectively negotiate with confidence is the first step. Being surgical in asking for things beyond the basic salary is just as important. In this session we talk about understanding your needs/wants, knowing your worth and how to ask for them.
Moderator: Alok Patel
Associate Director, External Relations, Delaware Biotechnology Institute
Kevin Cameron
Founder & CEO, Talent Connect
Nidhi Chaudhary
Global DE&I Leader (and HR Manager), DuPont
Angie Lucas
Director, Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) & Director of Engagement, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
Jessica Peña
Director Workforce Management - People Solutions, Atlantic Health System
Michelle Porecca
Chief People Officer, Prelude Therapeutics
2:45 — 3:00 pm 3:00 — 4:00 pmSPONSORED BY
Transitioning to a civilian career can be easy when you understand how to leverage and translate the knowledge and skills you developed during your military career to find a career that is fulfilling and where you can excel. This panels offers tools and techniques to help both prospective employers and employees ease the transition from military to civilian life
Richard Delgado, Jr.
Global Engagement, Community Investor, The Boeing Company
John Lyons
Dir of Engineering, Future Vertical Lift Helicopter Programs, Vertical Lift Division, The Boeing Company
Armando Mejia, MSW
Senior Global Engagement, Community Investor, The Boeing Company
Jordan Aisha Miller
Procurement Coordinator, The Boeing Company
4:00 — 5:00 pmBeing an entrepreneur involves a skill set. It also requires a level of self awareness, the ability to be OK with ambiguity, not always having the right answer, and being OK with failure. Entrepreneurship is also an increasingly popular career choice – is it right for you?
Moderator: Jeffrey Politis
DESCA Board Member
Nicole Homer
Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, HX Innovations
Theodore Lauzen
Owner, Grey Fox Wealth Advisors
Adam Stager
Founder & CEO, Tric Robotics
Sumedh Surwade
Founder & CEO, SAS Nanotechnologies
5:00 — 5:05 pm 8:30 — 9:00 amDora Cheatham
Executive Director, DESCA
Don Baker
CEO, FAME, Inc.
Bethany Hall-Long
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
Myoshi Aubain
Global Integrated Operations Leader - E&I, DuPont
9:00 — 10:00amKimberly Markiewicz
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, DuPont
Mark Holodick, Ed.D
Secretary of Education, State of Delaware
10:00 — 10:15 am 10:15 — 11:30 amJobs in STEM no longer mean sitting in a lab doing benchwork. New technologies, industries and needs are emerging and with that comes the need for new STEM skills. Since COVID-19 there has also been a dramatic change in the decisions that young people are making in terms of further/advanced education as alternative educational opportunities arise. A panel discussion on how this landscape is unfolding and how industry, educators and students can adapt
Moderator: Dr. Thomas Tubon
Chief Workforce Development Officer, BioMADE MII
Dr. Esosa Iriowen
Adjunct Professor and Science Program Coordinator, Wilmington University
Dr. Katie Lakofsky
Director of Workforce Development & Community Education Delaware Technical Community College
Greg Lindner
Research & Technical Director, Croda
Sarah Lynn
Director of Workforce and Military Initiatives, Tallo
Bernardo Tiburcio
Director of Digital Innovation, Data and Analytics, DuPont
11:30 — 12:45 pmRoundtable discussion where employees and students speak candidly about what they are looking for from employers
Moderator: Courtney Michener-Miller
Director of Talent and Development, AstraZeneca
Cameron Bremer
Student, University of Delaware
Chris Cowan
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Christiana Care
Jillian Cournoyer
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and Executive Recruiter, Ashland
Rob Frascella
Pharmaceutical Consultant, CAI
Taylor Jacobs
Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Dr Arnav Malkani
Senior Scientist, Chemical Engineering Research and Development Department, Merck
Faith Olasupo
Student, Delaware State University
Daniel Pileggi
Biopharmaceutical Automation Engineer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Lisa Swartzentruber
Tread Compound Development Engineer, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Sean Uhl
Mfg. Technology Director, Advanced Performance Materials, The Chemours Company
Dr. Yifan Wang
Machine Learning Research Scientist, Meta platforms (previously Facebook)
12:45 — 1:15 pm 1:15 — 1:45 pmIf there’s one word in the working world that makes introverts cringe the most, it’s “networking.” The very idea causes stress and anxiety. But it’s an important – and learnable - skill. Our speaker provides tools and techniques to help you take the plunge!
Karen Leung
Biotechnology Instructor & Internship Coordinator, City College of San Francisco
1:45 — 2:45 pmUnderstanding how to effectively negotiate with confidence is the first step. Being surgical in asking for things beyond the basic salary is just as important. In this session we talk about understanding your needs/wants, knowing your worth and how to ask for them.
Moderator: Alok Patel
Associate Director, External Relations, Delaware Biotechnology Institute
Kevin Cameron
Founder & CEO, Talent Connect
Nidhi Chaudhary
Global DE&I Leader (and HR Manager), DuPont
Angie Lucas
Director, Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) & Director of Engagement, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
Jessica Peña
Director Workforce Management - People Solutions, Atlantic Health System
Michelle Porecca
Chief People Officer, Prelude Therapeutics
2:45 — 3:00 pm 3:00 — 4:00 pmYoung people are increasingly being asked to make decisions about their education and career at an earlier age. But how do you know if you’re making the right decision? What if you regret that decision later on? Even if you know what you want to do, how do you know that you’re taking the right path to get there. Our panel of people who have “been there, done that” talk about things they wish they had known as they started on their career pathway
Moderator: Tyrone Jones
Sr. Manager, Policy and Public Affairs, Bloom Energy
Dr. Ellinor Carlson
Senior Staff Scientist, Solenis
Tiffany Carro
Director of Global Regulatory Sciences, FMC
Pedro Moore
CEO & Founder, FundingFuel, Inc
Luis Tanon Reyes
Data Manager, GSK
Chris Siemer
Chief Transformation Officer, Chemours (retired)
4:00 — 5:00 pmInternships and apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity to test career field, build skills, and potentially become employed at a company full-time after graduation. This session will discuss the importance of trying this route to potential employment.
Moderator: Dr. Michael Vaughan
Vice Provost for Equity, University of Delaware
Kim Huynh-Ba
Managing Director, Pharmalytik LLC
Margaret Rescavage
Safety, Health, and Environmental Advisor at Atlas Point, Croda
Helana Rodriguez
Director of the Partnership, Workforce Development Affiliate – Intern Delaware, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
Allie Wagner
Human Resources Manager, Stine
5:00 — 5:05 pm 8:30 — 9:00 amDora Cheatham
Executive Director, DESCA
Don Baker
CEO, FAME, Inc.
Bethany Hall-Long
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
Myoshi Aubain
Global Integrated Operations Leader - E&I, DuPont
9:00 — 10:00amKimberly Markiewicz
Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, DuPont
Mark Holodick, Ed.D
Secretary of Education, State of Delaware
10:00 — 10:15 am 10:15 — 10:45 amHear from influential leaders about the importance of a diverse STEM workforce in 2022 and beyond! Hear the "WHY" and make connections to your academic and career paths.
Don Baker
CEO, FAME, Inc.
Randolph Guschl
Executive Director, Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education (DFSME)
Jamila Q. Riser, Ed.D
Executive Director, Delaware Mathematics Coalition
10:45 — 12:00 pmThere are so many options available to students today, how can you possibly determine which pathway is for you? They can be confusing and overwhelming. Our panel offers ideas on how to break the decision into bite size pieces to make decisions easier
Moderator: Jaimie Watts
Chief of Operations, Leadership Delaware, Inc.
Connie Charles
Founder & CEO, iMap Strategic Solutions
Jessamine Greer
Market Development Consultant, The Chemours Company
Dr. Jalaal Hayes
Founder, Elyte Universe
Stephanie Lewis
Director, Workforce and Talent Engagement, FAME
Jon Wickert
Education Associate in the Career & Technical Education (CTE) and STEM Initiatives workgroup, Delaware Department of Education
12:00 — 12:45 pmJoin Boeing, DuPont, FMC Corp and ILC Dover for some fun, how-to experiments and problem solving sessions. Make your own bio-plastic at home, learn about NASA space suits and much more! Figure out what could be a career option for you!
12:45 — 1:15 pm 1:15 — 2:15 pmInternships and apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity to test career field, build skills, and potentially become employed at a company full-time after graduation. This session will discuss the importance of trying this route to potential employment
Moderator: Akeem Iman-Jones
HR Executive, Site Leader (Vertical Lift-Boeing Defense Division PA & AZ), The Boeing Company
Kayla Bell-Davis
Stephanie Lewis
Director, Workforce and Talent Engagement, FAME, Inc.
Margaret Rescavage
Safety, Health, and Environmental Advisor at Atlas Point, Croda
Emily Todd
Director of Education Initiatives, Tallo
2:15 — 3:00 pmJoin Boeing, DuPont, FMC Corp and ILC Dover for some fun, how-to experiments and problem solving sessions. Make your own bio-plastic at home, learn about NASA space suits and much more! Figure out what could be a career option for you!
3:00 — 4:30 pmI Did It, So Can You! Hear from individuals on their career choices, and how they forged their way to success, sometimes despite the odds!
4:30 — 5:00 pmWhether you realize it or not you already have a brand. Are you “the smart one”, “the nerdy one”, “the class comedian” or “the sports superstar”? How you communicate that brand becomes increasingly important as you approach college life and your future career. Our speaker talks about how to build and communicate your own personal brand so that you get noticed for all the right reasons
Lisa Panarello
Professional Development Coach & Communication Trainer, Careers Advance
5:00 — 5:05 pm
A forum for younger students to explore the many career possibilities available in the world of STEM and for older students and graduates to connect, learn about and network with the companies and individuals that are developing, commercializing and manufacturing the products of the future.
Learn more about the evolving talent and skills needs of today’s companies, connect and exchange ideas with peers, and learn about new resources available to you and your students.
An opportunity for companies of all sizes to educate their future workforce about their industry, their company, their products and their culture, as well as showcasing current and future internships and career opportunities.
