For Immediate Release:
October 22, 2012

Media Contact:
Jennifer Cahill, PLTW Director of Communications
317.669.0871 or [email protected]

PLTW Senior Director of Engagement Honored as “Leading Woman in STEM” in California

INDIANAPOLIS- Project Lead The Way proudly announces that Judy D’Amico, senior director of engagement for PLTW, was honored as a “Leading Woman in STEM” in California during a ceremony October 16. The Leading Women in STEM awards are an opportunity to highlight women who advance innovative and effective STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education initiatives across the state and serve as exemplary role models for California women and girls. (Only 25% of STEM jobs in the U.S. are held by women, yet women with STEM jobs earn 33% more than comparable women in non-STEM jobs.)

The event was part of the 2012 California STEM Summit, a statewide leadership convening of business, government, education, nonprofit, and philanthropic luminaries to spark change in STEM education and workforce development and launch new STEM education initiatives. The Summit is convened by the nonprofit California STEM Learning Network (CSLNet). Twelve women received the honor at this year’s Summit.

“We are pleased to honor Judy for her outstanding leadership in STEM,” said Chris Roe, CEO of CSLNet. “She is a great role model for young girls and other women who aspire to be future leaders in STEM fields.”

As Senior Director of Engagement, D’Amico works with PLTW’s major corporate partners, including Chevron, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Intel. D’Amico started at PLTW in 2007 as Director of the West Region, covering 10 states from Alaska to Arizona. She worked with the California PLTW network to grow the number of schools offering PLTW programs in the state of California from 45 in 2007 to 346 in 2012. It was also during this time that Cal Poly Pomona, San Jose State, and Cal State East Bay joined San Diego State University as post-secondary partners in California.

"Judy has a real passion for Project Lead The Way and understands the community and industry supports necessary for program and student success,” said Vince Bertram, CEO of Project Lead The Way. “Her work in California is helping thousands of students and their communities access the life-changing opportunities possible through a rigorous STEM education."

D’Amico has been most instrumental in strengthening the California PLTW network over the last five years through the development of business and industry partnerships at the local, regional, and statewide levels—most notably the partnership between PLTW and Chevron. Through generous financial support, Chevron has helped over 30 schools across California in the Sacramento, Bakersfield, El Segundo, and East Bay areas implement and sustain PLTW programs. Such support funds teacher professional development, helps purchase classroom equipment, and retro-fits classrooms and engineering labs. Chevron also hosts Engineering Design Challenge competitions across the state and is a supporter of the annual PLTW California Counselor Conference. Chevron engineers and employees serve as mentors in PLTW classrooms and advisors for PLTW schools. PLTW and Chevron have similar partnerships in Texas and Louisiana, with discussions occurring in other states as well.

“The work of Judy and Project Lead The Way is extraordinary, and Chevron is proud that California STEM Learning Network recognized Judy for the work she is doing throughout the state,” said Matt Lonner, manager, global partnerships and programs, of Chevron.

Her ability to form partnerships and relationships is a true marker of D’Amico’s work. “Judy has a true passion for STEM education and has worked tirelessly to build amazing partnerships with Intel and others to bring rigorous and relevant programs to the K-12 classroom,” said Leroy Tripette, external affairs manager for Intel Corporation, another PLTW partner. “I was extremely fortunate to connect with her when we first brought PLTW to the Capital Area Region of CA, and I am proud of the friendship that has developed over the years. She truly deserves the honor received today.”

David Butler, CEO of Linking Education and Economic Development (LEED), another PLTW partner in California added: “Judy D'Amico is an ideal example of how one person, with ample passion and purpose, can leverage key platforms to advance significant change. Judy has emerged as a national leader in STEM education on behalf of Project Lead The Way.”

Please join Project Lead The Way in congratulating Judy D’Amico, a California Leading Woman in STEM.
 

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About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education curricular programs used in schools. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PLTW exists to prepare students for the global economy through its world-class curriculum, high-quality professional development, and an engaged network of educators, students, universities and professionals. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,700 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.