Only 15% of women are engineers! Are you a young lady considering joining this field? Hear from three women who have successfully maneuvered the field and are now leaders in their own right.
Presenters
Lynley Hipps - Moderator
Lynley Hipps is the Founder and CEO of L Squared Digital Media, a digital marketing agency specializing in email marketing, copywriting, and marketing strategy. After years of experience in marketing, technology, user adoption, and education, Lynley now works with entrepreneurs, course creators, digital product creators, and coaches to launch their products and services to their customers. Lynley has a master of arts in professional communication from Clemson University and a bachelor’s degree in English and German from Furman University. To connect with Lynley, visit her website at lynleyhipps.com.
Dr. Maxine Cain
Dr. Maxine Cain is an award-winning People Leader changing the way women business leaders and entrepreneurs, live, work, and play by doing work that matters in STEM. Senior Human Resources leader and entrepreneurial personality known for innovative approaches to business, strategy, diversity, and inclusion, and Emerging Technologies Maxine Cain is the Founder & President of STEM Atlanta Women, Inc. A non-profit 501c(3) organization created to Enlighten, Educate, and Empower women and girls about the advantages and global opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and the future skills needed to compete and succeed in the 21st Century. Her vision is to disrupt unconscious bias in Tech and bridge the gender gap in STEM. We provide STEM Education, Training, and STEM Consulting Services in terms of educational services that include program evaluation, professional development, project management, curriculum development, capacity building. Maxine also provides consulting and advisory services to women business leaders and Entrepreneurs in the following practice areas: Business Strategy & Development Emerging Technology Talent Pipeline Development Organizational, Operational and Technological Advisory Services New Skilling, Upskilling, and Reskilling the Workforce in the Digital Era.
Annie Eaton
Annie Eaton is an immersive content producer, specializing in engaging and interactive virtual reality and augmented reality experiences. She currently serves as the CEO of Futurus, an Atlanta-based software development company that she founded in 2014. In 2020, she expanded her portfolio and opened Amebous Labs, a virtual reality-focused game studio where she is the Executive Producer. As a Georgia Tech graduate, Annie stays involved in the Atlanta technology community, managing XR Atlanta, a community organization which now boasts 1,500 members. Annie is also involved with Women in XR Atlanta and Women in Technology (WIT). She has been recognized by various organizations for her work in tech and dedication to equality and growth in the technology space. She shares her love and knowledge of immersive technology with audiences of all kinds, having been invited as a speaker for conferences, podcasts, educational institutions, and corporate events.
Tonya L. Hicks
Tonya L. Hicks is the President and CEO of Power Solutions, Inc. and the Managing Principal of Women Do Everything, LLC. Ms. Hicks is a serial entrepreneur and journeyman wireman electrician in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). She became the first woman to become a journeyman wireman in Local 917 of IBEW in her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi. Ms. Hicks is also the first African American woman to become a journeyman wireman in the IBEW in the State of Mississippi. Her primary jobs as a journeyman wireman electrician were industrial; working in paper mills, steel mills, and car plants. Ms. Hicks specializes in robotics and high voltage equipment installation and repair. In 2000, at the age of 28, Ms. Hicks founded Power Solutions, Inc.; an electrical contracting and facility maintenance company specializing in renewable energy, sustainability, and smart city technology. In 2015, Ms. Hicks launched Women Do Everything LLC; a career development and staffing agency supporting women in male dominated industries. At the height of the pandemic, Ms. Hicks accepted the role of Board Chair for Partners in Action for Healthy Living (PAHL). PAHL is a community organization founded in 2009 to serve Metro Atlanta in urban agriculture; providing organic produce to food insecure communities. Tonya serves on other non-profit boards including C5 Georgia Youth Foundation and the Georgia Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Hicks was featured in Forbes Japan for expanding her business in Singapore and the New York Times for her progress as a tradeswoman and business owner in the construction industry. In 2020, Ms. Hicks was nominated to Leadership Atlanta Class of 2022. Ms. Hicks was chosen as a member of the inaugural cohorts for the City of Atlanta Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI Atlanta), the Women Export University sponsored by UPS, and the Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) of the African Diaspora Network. Ms. Hicks is a member of various business and community organizations. She lives in Atlanta, Ga and has two sons; Rashadim (28) and Vincent (15). Ms. Hicks enjoys golf, cooking, gardening, and volunteering in the community.