Teresa Ferguson is a Database Team Lead with 30 years of experience in the IT industry.  She has worked with Playstudios since 2017 as a Senior SQL Database Administrator and now as a Database Team Lead.  She has specialized in SQL Databases for over 23 years and has been responsible for everything from High Availability to mentoring junior DBAs.  She has a passion for all things data related and has worked for Fortune 500 companies.

Teresa is also a private pilot and member of the 99’s, an all women’s aviation group.  She is currently working towards her commercial license.  Teresa has also traveled to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Kenya over 30 times on construction mission trips.

Teresa is also participating as a Middle School STEAM Challenge Judge this year.

For 25 years, Jeff has enhanced marketing services and strengthened consumer relationships through purposeful loyalty and sophisticated customer engagement programs.

Whether it is revitalizing the customer rewards programs for legacy brands or bringing dynamic thinking to rapidly expanding sectors such as mobile gaming, Jeff leads through influence and marshalls cross-functional resources to deliver loyalty services across a multitude of verticals. He understands that when specialized innovation and practical implementation work in synergy, a brand can build powerful loyal customer relationships regardless of industry or intention.

Brands have applied Jeff’s critical thinking to loyalty principals across a wide variety of relevant verticals including hospitality, travel, automotive, casino and gaming. He has worked with prestigious brands such as Wynn Resorts, Virtuoso Travel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Sewell Automotive and Fashion Island Retail Center to name a few. As Vice President of Neiman Marcus, Jeff revitalized the legacy brand’s InCircle Rewards program to enhance the loyal customer experience. For nearly 10 years, he has headed Partnerships and Rewards at Playstudios where he defined the company’s brand loyalty vision in the ever-expanding mobile gaming industry, starting with their 2013 launch of myVegas to the recent launch of the iconic game Tetris exclusively within the Playstudios portfolio. Under Jeff’s leadership the idea of rewarded play has transformed from concept to reality, making the playAWARDS platform the first-ever rewards network supporting the mobile gaming industry. PLAYSTUDIOS is now widely considered the market leader in rewarded play. Their partner network spans across four continents, 20 countries and 80 partners distributing over $800 million of rewards inventory and value to its digital audience. In addition to his remarkable achievements in loyalty, Jeff has demonstrated exceptional acumen in business development, forging strategic partnerships that have significantly expanded market reach and enhanced brand visibility. His expertise in negotiating and securing mutually beneficial agreements has been pivotal in driving growth and establishing a competitive edge in diverse markets.

Jeff is an accredited Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional. The CLMP Certification is the only recognized professional certification in the loyalty marketing industry. Only 900 professionals worldwide have achieved the level of professionalism and advanced education associated with the discipline of loyalty marketing by earning this exclusive distinction.

Jeff dedicates his broad range of marketing and business skills as founder and President of Stupid Strong and as a former board member for the Gastric Cancer Foundation. Both organizations are committed to finding a cure for stomach cancer. He is an active member of the MD Anderson Board of Visitors and the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE). Jeff has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for his outstanding contribution to the community by Rotary Club International. He also lends his time and talent to the Netzer Family Foundation which offers grants and financial support for education, human services, healthcare, and arts & cultural development.

Alexine Tranquada is passionate about improving patients’ lives and addressing health disparities.  She is an award winning pharmaceutical top talent with 25 years in the big pharma.  She has led teams at Schering-Plough and Merck in important global drug development functions including -market research, marketing, and market access- across the spectrum of therapeutic areas, including immunology, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, metabolics.  She evaluated numerous therapeutics for licensing or acquisition and led the market access assessment for the $11B acquisition of Promethius Bio by Merck last year.

Alexine moved to Dallas last summer and since then has taken an Healthcare Business Women’s Association leadership role as the President of Southwest Corporate Relations.  This organization supports the career advancement of women in healthcare and gender parity in leadership.  She has also been an advisor to several local biotech companies including Cancer Diagnostic Research Innovations, and Reinvigoron as well as involvement in non-profit organizations, Gwen Lily Foundation and the Orchid Giving Circle.  In her spare time she likes to travel, spend time with her family (husband Warren, Ella, Calvin and Miles) and compete in triathalons.

Alexine is also participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Crystal DuBois serves as Senior Communications Specialist at NEC Corporation of America and Executive Director of NEC Foundation of America, NEC’s charitable giving subsidiary. Crystal received her degree in mass communications from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and began her career in the non-profit sector, working across domestic violence prevention, homelessness, and teen pregnancy prevention. Crystal began her corporate career with Greyhound Lines, Inc., bringing her public relations and non-profit experience together in her role as spokesperson for the brand, as well as serving as their community relations manager. Today, Crystal is fully immersed in the world of technology at NEC, helping to lead internal and external communications initiatives, as well as foster impactful community partnerships for NEC Foundation of America.

Crystal is participating as a Middle School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Jeanelle Davis is the Executive Public Affairs Director of BNSF Railway, where she manages community and government affairs for Texas and Oklahoma. She has been with the company since 2019. Previously, she served as an American diplomat, including assignments in Indonesia and Guinea. She serves on the Executive Committee of the North Texas Commission, the Executive Board of the Fort Worth Chamber, and the board of the Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Fort Worth, Sister Cities International, Texas Operation Lifesaver, The TCC Foundation, and the Multicultural Alliance. Mrs. Davis is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Howard University. She earned her Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She and her husband, Quinton, live in Fort Worth with their two children.

Shelby Edmiston is the Power Area Engineer for Pioneer Natural Resources based out of Irving, Texas. Shelby develops and implements long term field electrification strategies to meet the company’s stated emissions reduction targets as well as is the point of contact between all business units and the power execution team. Shelby is responsible for planning and project management between the Texas Utility Providers and field project execution.

Shelby’s professional background includes 8 years of experience all with Pioneer in the oil and gas industry. She began her career with Pioneer in 2015 as an intern and was hired on in 2016 full time as a Category Specialist in Supply Chain Management upon graduation with a degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University. She then moved to Midland, Texas in 2018 as a reporting analyst for the Maintenance and Automation department. In 2019, she moved back to Dallas to become a Supply Chain Planner. In 2020, she took on the Supply Chain Planning Supervisor Role. In 2021, she moved to the Capital Projects team as a business analyst. Upon moving to a new department, Shelby pursued her Masters in Mechanical Engineering Degree from Texas A&M University taking evening and distance learning courses which she received her degree in August 2023. Shelby moved to her current position as the Power Area Engineer in July 2022.

In addition to her work in the Capital Projects department, Shelby is the President of Pioneer’s Employee Resource Group OnePioneer. OnePioneer strives to bring people together for the greater good of the Company’s culture, talent and communities in which we operate by advancing diversity, inclusion and engagement across the organization. Shelby also is an active leader in Pioneers participation in Corporate Challenge which is an Olympic style competition between companies in the DFW area. Outside of work, Shelby enjoys traveling, playing golf and tennis, reading and spending time with her puppy. Her latest adventure was exploring Antarctica.

Molly Harras attended the University of Texas at Dallas as a National Merit Scholar and member of the Hobson Wildenthal Honor’s College. During her time in college, she studied mathematics and creative writing, and served as a DJ and Local Music Director for Radio UTD. After graduating, she began work full time as a data analyst for Pioneer Natural Resources, then transitioned to her current data engineer role. In 2023, she competed in and won the Alteryx Grand Prix, a data competition centered around using the software Alteryx to solve problems as quickly as possible. Outside of work, she is a professional artist specializing in printmaking and has exhibited at several local galleries and events, including the 500x gallery and the Austin Print Expo.

Molly is also participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

As Vice President for ARCO’s Tenant Solutions team based in Dallas, Lauren is in charge of operational consistency and design-build strategy both in the Texas market and nationally. Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Notre Dame. She started at ARCO ten years ago as a Project Manager and also served as Director of Accounts. She loves running projects and interacting with clients to find design and construction solutions for their businesses. She is a frequent speaker on real estate and construction trends and insights. Lauren dedicates her time to industry associations focused on diversity, inclusion, STEM education, and support of women in construction. Locally, she is especially involved with the Young Women’s Preparatory Network. In her free time, Lauren loves playing sports, traveling, and fishing with her family. She lives with her husband, dog, and cat, and they have a baby girl on the way!

Lauren is also participating as a Middle School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Aarya is a Project Manager in ARCO/Murray’s Tenant Solutions division in Dallas. She focuses on office and adaptive reuse tenant improvement projects around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Aarya spent her post-graduate career at ARCO/Murray as a project manager after graduating from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently working on wrapping up an office renovation in Richardson. As part of the project, she interacts with the client and works with the onsite teams along with a tenured project manager to deliver the best possible product. She also works on estimates and proposals for prospective projects. In her free time, Aarya enjoys traveling, teaching yoga, and learning different styles of dance!

Alena is a Project Manager at ARCO/Murray, a single source national design and construction firm that specializes in commercial construction and real estate needs. She has seven years of experience under her belt. Throughout her career, Alena worked on multiple unique projects, such as manufacturing facilities, airplane hangars, airport improvements, river dams, and bridges. As a LEED accredited professional, she is the point of contact for all sustainability initiatives throughout the project. Alena graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a bachelor’s in civil engineering. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and helping at local organizations such as Young Women Preparatory Network, Habitat for Humanity, and Dallas Catalyst Project.

Alena is also participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Taylor Freeman is an Assistant Project Manager and a People Manager for over 15 NorthTexas summer interns at LJA Engineering, Inc. She is a Professional Engineer in the state of Texas, earning her license in October 2020.

Taylor is responsible for overseeing land development projects with the focus being largesingle-family subdivisions in Anna and Fate, Texas. She guides her team to hit project milestones and budget, communicates with Cities and clients to provide necessary information.

She created a 12-week Summer Internship Program consisting of Civil 3D training, project site visits, concrete plan tours, lunch and learns, and networking events. She plays a large role in the Women Advancement Voices in Engineering (WAVE). Taylor has been the moderating spokesperson for WAVE guest speakers where topics discussed have included how to navigate working in a male dominated industry. Taylor hosts in-office field trips which introduced/showcased civil engineering for the female students of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network.

Taylor earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a Mathematics Minor from the University of Oklahoma. Outside of her professional career, she volunteers with Dallas Pets Alive and the Dallas Animal Shelter. She has rescued and fostered over 50 animals.

Ivy Grace Griswold is a Design Engineer at LJA Engineering. She graduated from Texas A&M University in May of 2023. After interning during the summer of 2022 and spring of 2023, she has been working full time with their Land Development group for just over 6 months. She designs utility systems and creates plan sets for single family residence developments in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Ivy Grace is also participating as a Middle School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Colleen is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, with a degree in Civil Engineering.  She began her career at McCarthy in 2007 in San Antonio, TX.  In her current role, Vice President of Preconstruction, Colleen leads the civil preconstruction department, where work is priced and procured in heavy civil markets.  Colleen is focused on developing a team that excels in collaborative delivery methods, in a market where that is relatively uncommon.  Most of Colleen’s experience is in the transportation sector, however, she has also worked on renewable energy, site work, water & wastewater, and marine projects.  Colleen is a member of the national design phase leadership team, driving scalable policies and procedures across the company.

Additionally, Colleen is a national leader in the McCarthy Partnership for Women, and an executive sponsor for the group in the Southern Region, an Employee Resource Group, focused on attracting and developing female talent in the construction industry and removing barriers to success for women in the construction industry.

Outside of work, Colleen enjoys playing guitar, dancing flamenco, traveling, and learning new languages. She currently serves on the board of directors for Maker District, a local non-profit organization with the mission to put tools and technology in the hands of the community.  Prior to her civil engineering degree, Colleen studied Jazz Guitar Performance, also at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Colleen is participating as a Middle School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Riley graduated from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, in December of 2016 with a dual degree in Construction Management Technology and Mechanical Electrical Construction Management Technology. Once completed with her schooling she transitioned into a full-time career with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. early 2017 in Fort Worth, TX. She started her career as a Project Engineer on a Wastewater Treatment Plant and shortly after moved into a transportation and bridge project in downtown Fort Worth on the Hemphill Street Connector.

Over her time with McCarthy, Riley has taken on various roles from Project Engineer, to Quality Manager, Assistant Superintendent, Assistant Project Manager, and is currently working as a Project Manager overseeing multiple projects in Denton, TX. Her career has grown and been shaped by her ability to take on the difficult challenges that each role has played and her willingness to learn from her fellow team members while adapting to change.

Hello! My name is Chantice Redeau, a Project Engineer with McCarthy Building Company. Currently, I have a primary focus on Civil Solar Energy scope of work. My STEM career was planted during my secondary education time at Town View Magnet Center’s School of Science and Engineering. I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree from THE Prairie View A&M University and have over 3 years of experience in the construction industry. My work is driven by my passion for math, science, and problem solving, and I believe in going after your dreams and turning them into reality. I am a mother of two beautiful children, and I love to spend time with them. I invite you all to connect with me to learn more about my professional journey as a Woman in STEM.

Krystial’s path was not necessarily the traditional one, but surely a unique one made just for her, by her.  After graduating high school she did the expected and enrolled in college, but quickly realized it wasn’t the right time.  An itch for adventure took control.  Instead, she took several years to travel and understand cultures.  Upon growing, learning and experiencing new perspectives she returned home to finish her degree by graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s in Architecture.  After participating in a Design-Build competition, Krystial realized how much she enjoyed the dynamic and logistical side of construction over strictly design.  Starting her career in field operations in San Francisco working within the aviation market she gained valuable skills upon projects like SFO International Airport Terminal 1 BAB and American Airlines Lounge.  In 2020, she joined McCarthy in Dallas, TX where she is currently focused in healthcare working on a hospital.  Krystial works in design integration by leveraging her design background and attention to detail to assist the intricacies and interfaces between design and construction.

In one of her most passionate efforts, Krystial is the lead for the Dallas Business Unit McCarthy Partnership for Women, where as an Employee Resource Group, the drive is focused on attracting and developing female talent in the construction industry and removing barriers to success for them.

When she isn’t living breathing the built world you can assure she is staying far away from it in either the mountains snowboarding or hiking or out in the water scuba diving and kayaking.  If you do catch her inside, it’ll be her garage tinkering with some kind of fix on her motorcycle.

Nikita Bhagat is an Assistant Project Manager, currently a part of the DBU Commercial Preconstruction Team with McCarthy Building Co. With a Bachelor’s in Architecture from India and a Master’s degree in Construction Management from Texas A&M University, she has been a part of this industry for about 10 years now. Nikita spent a few years as a practicing architect, but decided to transition to construction management as a career path for the tangible and dynamic nature of this field.

As an operations person, she has been a core team member for Collin College Technical Campus in Allen and a solar project in Ennis called Elm Branch. Nikita has also had the opportunity to work for notable hospital systems like Mass General Brigham, Mass Eye & Ear, Tufts & Southcoast and research organizations like Woods Hole & Pfizer during the couple years she lived in Boston. Since transitioning into a preconstruction role, she has been working on different types of projects including a park in Dallas! Nikita is grateful for the different opportunities that have come her way professionally and is glad that she has taken them on with a curious mind and strong will to “figure it out!” Challenges made it overwhelming; but sincerity towards work paved the way through it.

Outside of work, Nikita enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle and indulges in short trips around the country every chance she gets time off. Loves hiking, running, and being outdoors!

Alexis has more than 15 years of experience evaluating IT security in a broad range of environments. She has consulted with a wide range of clients, both large and small on security compliance and has performed and led over 150 audits across multiple industries and technology platforms. Her current focus includes SOC examinations, security risk assessments, regulatory compliance (including HIPAA Security, GLBA, privacy regulations), security governance utilizing industry leading frameworks (including COSO, COBIT, NIST-CSF, CIS 20 CSC, ISO 27001, HITRUST CSF), HITRUST Certifications, ISO 27001 Certifications, IT Audits, and other security compliance consulting services.

She has extensive experience in the executing and reporting on SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements, leading teams that identify control objective areas, testing over control design and operation, and report writing. Alexis also has a deep understanding in testing entity level controls, general computer controls and application controls within financial transaction processing systems, healthcare care billing organizations, document scanning repositories, loan origination systems and healthcare technology systems. Additional industry experience includes health care, professional and business services, technology services, and financial services.

Priyanka (Pree) Wakharkar, CPA, CA | Senior Manager, Risk Advisory Services

Pree has more than 10 years of public accounting experience. Currently, Pree is concentrating on providing risk advisory services such as SOX/ FIDICIA compliance, internal audits, etc., for entities in the financial services industry. She serves a wide variety of clients, including banks and non-banking financial institutions, investment companies such as registered investment advisors (RIAs), business development companies (BDCs), private equity and hedge funds.

She’s performed various statutory audits for public entities for finance, banking, insurance, broker clients and more, as well as reviewed other audit aspects, such as risk assessments, analytics and substantive testing. She manages large and complex engagements that run anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 hours.

Pree is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a designated Chartered Accountant (CA). She’s a member of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TXCPA), Texas Wall Street Women (TXWSW), Kayo Conference Series – The Corner and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting from the University of Mumbai, India.

Shelby has more than seven years of experience in helping clients identify cybersecurity related risks and providing tailored recommendations to audiences of varying technical backgrounds. Within Weaver’s Cybersecurity Practice, Shelby’s focus is in executing and managing various types of consulting, auditing, and hands-on security testing engagements.

Key services that she is involved in include cybersecurity maturity assessments resulting in prioritized roadmaps for enhancing security posture, cybersecurity risk assessments, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and social engineering. Additionally, Shelby is responsible for assisting organizations with enhancing security-related capabilities, including incident response, security monitoring and logging, vulnerability management, and security awareness training. Shelby has experience with conducting a wide range of assessments utilizing varying frameworks and industry guidance including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NIST 800-53, Center for Internet Security (CIS) Critical Security Controls (CSC), MITRE ATT&CK, etc.

With experience providing services to a number of industries, including government entities, higher education, financial services, technology, and healthcare, Shelby brings diverse knowledge to her clients.

Demetrice Branch has more than two decades of HR experience, including 13 years as Weaver’s Director of Human Resources. As Chief People Officer, Demetrice oversees a range of HR functions, including compensation, benefits, compliance, employee engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. She leads Weaver’s INSPIRE Culture Advisory Board, which oversees strategic initiatives that help support the firm’s continued commitment to provide an inclusive and equitable environment. Demetrice has a passion for creating a workplace in which every Weaver employee feels a sense of belonging, trust and inclusion. Demetrice attended Jarvis Christian College.

Maiya Winston is the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader at o9 Solutions, a Dallas-based supply chain technology company.  She is also a coach, consultant, and mentor. With over 15 years of corporate experience, she has seen firsthand the difference that working with purpose and passion can make in the lives and careers of employees.  She is passionate about helping organizations incorporate solid diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into their foundation.

She is a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Aspen Institute Economic Opportunity Fellow, and Certified Career Coach. She served as Executive Director of the DFW Collective of Black Employee Resource Groups (BERGs).

Maiya earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Southern California and Executive MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Maiya is also participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Adelia Schleusz is Global Practice Director and Principal at HKS. Her experimental approach to design embraces technology, creative materials and natural elements to craft learning environments that enhance student and staff wellbeing. Adelia, who also has a degree in psychology, is a former behavioral health specialist.

Gracie Andraos is Director of Design, Interiors, and Principal at HKS. She is known for designing spaces that are flexible and efficient and that tell a story of place and people. She is passionate about mentoring designers and encouraging more meaningful design solutions. Of her accomplishments, the American Society of Interior Designers named her as one of seven Design Scholars, for the Ones to Watch national leadership program.

Ashli Hall is a Senior Communications Project Manager at HKS. She manages projects within the Marketing studio and the firm’s design awards program. She actively participates in multiple HKS initiatives, including co-chairing the J.E.D.I. Council, Chairing the BLACK Collective affinity inclusion group and is a Month of Service Champion. Ashli passionately uses her project management skills to create seamless collaboration across teams.

Amy Schwiening brings a wealth of experience to her role as the Executive Assistant to the President/CFO and Chief Process Officer at HKS, where she has dedicated the past 9 years to supporting key leadership functions. Beyond her administrative prowess, Amy plays a crucial role in HKS’s K-12 initiative, striving to create transformative experiences for the next generation. By championing diversity and fostering talent, she ensures that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue rewarding careers in design, reflecting a commitment to shaping a more inclusive and innovative future.

(YWPN Alum!)

Patricia Moriel is a design professional at HKS. She is in the venues group where she started shortly after graduation this past May. She has a masters in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has internship experience across different sectors including healthcare, historic preservation and mixed use residential. She is currently a JEDI champion at HKS.

Fernando A. Ceballos, P.E., leads the commercial land development team in Dallas at Pape-Dawson Engineers, a top 100 Consulting Firm, as a Licensed Professional Engineer. Since graduating from Texas A&M University in 2013, Fernando has had an opportunity to help design and build cities throughout Texas. His professional background has allowed him to design: schools, apartment complexes, distribution centers, retail centers, and residential master-planned communities.

For the last 10 years, Fernando has had the opportunity to lead non-profit teams with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and The Real Estate Council. Fernando has been named ASCE’s New Faces of Civil Engineering, honored as a Coors Light Lider, and featured in the Dallas Weekly’s Millennials to Watch.

As a first-generation college graduate, Fernando is passionate about empowering the community and sharing his testimony with students who might be interested in a career in STEM. Outside of work, Fernando enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sporting Clays, and the outdoors. He is also a career coach and co-host of The Dealing With Life Stuff Podcast.

Fernando is participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Karen Golden Russell has over 25 years of experience bringing healthcare technologies and services to market at Fortune 500s and private equity investments. She currently is a Principal Strategy Consultant at GOLDPoint Healthcare LLC, specializing in growth acceleration and turnarounds. Previously she was General Manager and Vice President of a $170M division at Henry Schein, Inc., the world’s largest provider of solutions for healthcare practitioners. She has a BA in Mathematics and English from Boston College and an MBA from Boston University. Karen has two passions: improving the cost and quality of healthcare and mentoring the next generation of women leaders.

Karen is participating as a Middle School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Marilee Hayden, MBA, CPA has a background in healthcare, financial and business management, along with executive leadership. Before retirement, she was a co-owner of Pate Rehabilitation, a brain injury rehabilitation center.

Recognizing the importance of core values, Marilee spearheaded the development and implementation of these values into Pate’s company culture. Her visionary efforts created a positive and supportive environment for staff and stakeholders.

A lifelong learner at heart, Marilee is about to begin an online semester through the Harvard Program of Negotiation titled Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Marilee is a passionate social justice advocate. Through her advocacy work, she helps create positive change and promote equity and justice.

Marilee is participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.

Terry Russell, Ph.D. is a serial entrepreneur and scientist, who has co-founded, financed, and led multiple startups.  Currently he is the Managing Director of Interface Ventures, a venture studio in the Dallas area that creates new companies in healthcare, energy, and national security.

Dr. Russell has advised the Irish government, the US Department of Energy, and multiple universities on new venture creation. He is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UT Southwestern Medical Center and teaches a New Venture Creation course at UT Dallas.

Dr Russell has a Ph.D. in Physics from Boston University and conducted post-doctoral research at Harvard University.

Terry is participating as a High School STEAM Challenge judge this year.