Amazing Energy at Women Innovators Conference

What happens when you combine 2 amazing speakers, 10 fascinating panelists and 171 participants at a women-focused event about Innovating for Impact? An explosion of energy and excitement.

 

On election day, MIN-Corps hosted the first annual Women Innovators Conference. 171 (more than 95% female) STEM business professionals, academics and students gathered for a professional development summit designed to connect the dots between their ideas and making a positive, significant impact.

Our keynote address was by Alison Brown, president and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota, who shared her own ground-breaking professional journey and lessons that would apply to women starting out in their careers.

We had three breakout sessions, where panelists shared their stories and candid advice:
From Idea to Impact: How panelists moved their innovations to the market.
Forging Your Own Path: How panelists advanced their careers in the context of their personal relationships and families.
Making Your Mark: Accomplished leaders who discussed what it takes to advance in often male-dominated STEM settings.

 

Our closing speaker was Cindy Kent, President & General Manager, 3M Infection Prevention Division, a dynamic speaker who motivated the audience to get past the negative statistics and pursue high-impact STEM and/or business careers.

Next steps? More women participating in MIN-Corps innovation commercialization programs, more STEM women continuing to make connections on their own, even more women at next year’s conference!