MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECHNOLOGY LEADERS
Julie-Anne Selvey works to empower the next generation of tech leaders and is making an impact with empowering women and underserved communities in New York communities through STEM education programs.
Selvey has worked in the technology and biotechnology industries for the past decade. At the software company IAC Applications, she drives communication strategy for business units, products, and corporate initiatives. She also advises on internal and external branding and leads a diverse team tasked with meeting the company’s business objectives.
Beyond her achievements in the technology industry, she crafted a corporate social responsibility strategy aligning business objectives with promoting STEM education and sustainability. As part of this, she spearheads programs teaching coding in schools to give students the opportunity to interact with IAC’s team to talk about STEM careers. The company invites students to its offices for career days to ensure they have an actual vision in their mind of what a career in STEM could look like and ensure they know STEM careers are available in their own communities. She works with students in the Yonkers community and has cultivated partnerships within various schools and groups, including one with Riverside High School, a magnet high school focused on engineering and computer science.
In the words of Julie-Anne Selvey:
How can the world increase diversity in STEM fields?
“By focusing on the ‘pipeline’. We need more up and coming female and minority computer scientists, engineers and mathematicians. We need to encourage and promote these interests and career paths with children in K-12.”
What barriers are in the way to closing the gender gap in STEM?
“Access and Exposure. Young women need to know that there are career paths that can satisfy their every interest. They should have the opportunity to explore their interests in a non-judgmental, nurturing learning environment.”
How is the world changing with respect to STEM?
“In the tech industry – it is wonderful that more and more companies are investing time and resources in their local, national and international communities to provide and support STEM programs. There is real strength in these partnerships and I think these will bring positive results for years to come.”
What can be done to move women forward in STEM?
“Going beyond mentoring and teaching – to become champions to help up and coming women in STEM move forward in their careers.”
Where do you see women in STEM in five years?
“Five years is a short amount of time – but I am hopeful that we will begin to see more women (and minorities) in executive teams and board rooms leveraging cognitive diversity for innovation and growth.”
