IN-PERSON | Conversations with the 2023 Women of STEMM | Sponsored by Burns & McDonnell

At the 10th Annual STEMMy Awards in October 2023, Central exchange celebrated the accomplishments of ten women and one corporate hero who are setting trends and breaking barriers in their STEMM fields.

These prestigious awards were created to put a well-deserved spotlight on women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine across the greater Kansas City region. These women are business and civic leaders, students and educators, and entrepreneurs and advocates who work together to increase gender diversity and who excel in their STEMM field.

The winners of the STEMMy Awards make changes for a better today and brighter tomorrow.  Their influence on a global and local level makes a difference, not just for our community, but around the world and for the next generation of STEMM leaders.

Come join us for happy hour to network with other women and join in on the conversation as we hear from a few of the 2023 STEMMy Award Winners!

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Anita Ranhotra is the Distribution Engineering Manager at Hallmark Cards.  During Anita's 23 years at Hallmark, she's worked in engineering, manufacturing, distribution, procurement, product integrity and supply chain solutions. Previously, Anita worked for The Limited and Payless ShoeSource, where she earned a patent. 
Anita holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering (IE) and master's degree in engineering management, both from Kansas State University (K-State).  She is a co-founder and member of K-State's IE Academy, serves on advisory councils for the Multicultural Engineering Program and Business Management Department, and past chair of K-State's IE advisory council. 
Anita is senior advisor for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers - KC chapter, past chapter president, regional VP, and chapters SVP - Board of Trustees.  She was co-founder and past-chair of the National Association of Asian American Professionals KC chapter and the Asian American Resource Community - Hallmark and is an advisor to Hallmark's STEM Engagement Committee. 
Anita was awarded the 2022 Groundbreaking Leadership.
PANELISTS:
As a certified critical care clinical nurse specialist (CCNS), Lynelle Baba has served 42 years in specialized adult intensive care units as a key influencer in transforming care. Known for industry excellence and internationally recognized as the expert on mechanical ventilation and sedation, she has served as Coordinator for numerous new technology initiatives in an array of specialized ICUs. Lynelle is author of two editions of the premiere mechanical ventilation nursing text in print for 28 years published in English, Chinese and Portuguese.
Lynelle is a visionary leader and change agent who simplifies complex processes and motivates teams toward a unified patient-centered goal, propelling the health system's ranking among academic medical centers. She was named Expert Nurse Leader and Magnet Nurse of the Year by The University of Kansas Health System and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
Lynelle has two daughters, Amanda and Naema, and loves gardening.
Lynelle was awarded the 2023 Groundbreaking Leadership.

Tammy Buckner is a self-taught software engineer, IT project manager, and a certified business systems analyst. She founded a minority women-owned technology solutions company focused on technology execution, web, and mobile app development. As the founder and CEO of WeCode KC, an innovative tech program, she is passionate about unleashing the potential of those historically left out of the technology industry.
Under her leadership, WeCode applies professional training that's relatable to urban youth, teaching them how to code through project-based technology concepts and cybersecurity, and providing a stipend for real-world learning. WeCode is a major contributor to creating a more inclusive and equitable technology industry, closing the wealth gap.
Tammy, advocates technology diversification; her accolades include the 2023 Women Achievement Award, Top Community Builder to Watch in KC, Top 20 to Know in Nonprofit Leadership, Excellence in Impact, and a recent graduate of the Executive MBA program at Rockhurst University.
Tammy was awarded the 2023 WiSTEMM Champion.

Brittany Martinez is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). After watching her grandmother suffer with rheumatoid arthritis, Brittany became curious about how our bodies processed medication and began an incredible journey working toward a career in biomedical research. As a graduate student at KUMC, Brittany made significant contributions to her field in understanding how the cell cytoskeleton regulates the assembly and kinetics of an antenna-like sensory organelle, the cilium.
As a postdoctoral fellow, she plans to study how the maternal environment affects the occurrence of birth defects. Additionally, Brittany is very passionate about providing research opportunities to undergraduates who do not have access to cutting-edge biomedical research experiences. To this end, she has created a partnership between KUMC and Rockhurst University to provide such experiences, and for which, students can obtain credit for their effort. 
Brittany was awarded the 2023 Student Achiever.