{"id":48541,"date":"2024-04-18T15:58:59","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T19:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/?page_id=48541"},"modified":"2026-02-01T19:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T00:21:44","slug":"leadership","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Careers<\/a><\/p>\n
Chapter Development<\/a>
Internships<\/a>
Mentors<\/a>
Advisory Council<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Internships<\/a><\/p>\n

Meet Our Interns<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Executive Leadership<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Bethani Scott<\/div>\n
Director of Member Services<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Bethani Scott<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n


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My STEM journey began long before I realized it. I spent much of my childhood alongside my father hunting and fishing\u2014experiences that quietly shaped my curiosity and connection to the natural world. It wasn\u2019t until I was choosing a major that I truly understood their impact. In 2019, I graduated from Texas A&M University at Galveston with a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Marine Biology and a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Marine Fisheries.<\/p>\n

Throughout my academic journey, one constant source of support and inspiration was my involvement in an honor society. I deeply valued the sense of community, encouragement, and recognition it provided. In 2015, I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and had the opportunity to serve as Vice President of Membership, an experience that further strengthened my passion for leadership and service.<\/p>\n

What drew me to NSTEM specifically was its unique focus on supporting STEM students from pre-K through college, creating a strong and continuous foundation for success. I have always enjoyed working with others and helping in any way I can. Stepping into the role of Director of Member Services allows me to support members as they begin their NSTEM journeys, guide them along the way, and witness the incredible accomplishments of our students and advisors.<\/p>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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\n \"Our<\/p>\n
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Eric Magers<\/div>\n
CEO & Founder<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Eric Magers<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n

magerse@nstem.org<\/a>
\n978.381.9305<\/p>\n

As a teacher and experiential education trainer for over 30 years, I have been on the cutting edge of efforts to engage young people in STEM studies and sustainability efforts. My passion is to motivate others through inventive project-based learning to join the crucial work of caring for our planet. When we create environments in our schools and communities that promote and value responsible action, youth are encouraged to become leaders in this work. <\/span><\/p>\n

My work has garnered many state and national awards, and I have been recognized at the White House twice for my work in education. I was gratified to be nominated as Science Educator of the Year for developing Green Scholars, a curriculum that grew from one school into a national program for training students to be environmental leaders in their communities. <\/span><\/p>\n

Since leaving my position as a public school teacher, I have founded and am now director of two organizations, Seaside Sustainability and the National STEM Honor Society. Both have the ultimate goal of infusing more STEM and sustainability into education systems all over the globe. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to two Master\u2019s degrees in education, I hold a Project-Based Learning Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, a Leading Sustainable Innovation Professional Certificate from the University of Vermont, and a Sustainability Graduate Certificate from Harvard University. <\/span><\/p>\n

I was born in the year of the first Earth Day to parents who instilled in me an appreciation of the fragility of our environment and our obligation to protect it. Growing up on the ocean and mountains of New England, I became passionate about being a steward of our earth. I like to educate others with a simple mantra: Never underestimate your power; be an informed consumer; think globally and act locally. <\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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Ken Hecht<\/div>\n
President<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Ken Hecht<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n

hechtk@nstem.org<\/a>
\n617.755.9400<\/p>\n

STEM had an enormous impact on my life even before it was called STEM.<\/p>\n

Being one of five children from the south side of Chicago, the son of a Chicago Firefighter and carpenter, I was lucky. I did well in math and science in high school and was accepted to the Civil Engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois turned out to be a top engineering school. Who knew? That lit the fire.<\/p>\n

Today that passion for science and math that set me on my way still burns as I have the great honor and pleasure to have been named the President of the National STEM Honor Society by my partner and dear friend, Eric Magers, its CEO and Founder.<\/p>\n

Our mission is to inspire and recognize excellence from K to Career in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.<\/p>\n

We believe that STEM needs to start early, from the very start. And to continue through all levels of education and into rewarding careers that can change the trajectory of people\u2019s lives… as it did mine.<\/p>\n

We are seeking educators, students, parents, and organizations who believe what we believe. If you believe that STEM education enhancement is vital for our students, our teachers, our parents, our nation and our world, please feel free to reach out to me personally.<\/p>\n

After an early engineering career of building power plants and control towers, I formed my own company aimed at goal setting and time management consulting, teaching a 16 week course in goal setting and an 8 week course in time management including many motivational speaking engagements.<\/p>\n

After several years, I veered again, moving to a long career in commercial real estate brokerage and eventually ownership of a portfolio of office, R&D and lab buildings.<\/p>\n

Educationally, in addition to the undergraduate experience at Illinois, while an engineer traveling for projects, I attended the MBA Programs at both Washington University in St. Louis and Northeastern University in Boston. <\/span><\/p>\n

On a personal basis, I had the pleasure of coaching 13 years of youth soccer and baseball and 1 year of being the strength coach for the high school wrestling team. In our now home city of Gloucester, Massachusetts I was appointed to the Planning Board and was then elected to the Gloucester City Council.<\/p>\n

My passion and enthusiasm\u00a0for helping\u00a0as many kids in STEM across the country and the world\u00a0as quickly as we can runs deep.\u00a0 We do this by having schools open National STEM Honor Society Chapters at their schools.\u00a0 We have\u00a0Chapters from coast to coast and now internationally.\u00a0 Please feel free to reach out to me personally\u00a0for more information on starting your Chapter!<\/p>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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Patricia Kitchens<\/div>\n
Director of Chapter Services<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Patricia Kitchens<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n

kitchensp@nstem.org<\/a>
\n972.754.2433<\/p>\n

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I’m Patricia Kitchens, and my journey in the<\/span> fi<\/span><\/span>eld of education expands over a span of <\/span>33-years. When the Covid-19 lockdown disrupted the world, I seized the opportunity to <\/span>embark on a transformative path. Choosing to pursue a Masters degree in <\/span>Communications and Media at Notre Dame of Maryland University; this became a <\/span>turning point that reignited my professional<\/span> fl<\/span><\/span>ame.<\/span><\/div>\n
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In 2023, I stepped into a new adventure with an internship at the National STEM Honor <\/span>Society (NSTEM), marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in my career. Working <\/span>hand in hand with Member Care, Human Resources, and as Eric\u2019s Strategic Assistant, I <\/span>have learned so much.<\/span><\/div>\n
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As my journey unfolded, I had the honor of taking on the role of Chapter Services <\/span>Director. This new responsibility allowed me to bring my passion for education and <\/span>communication to the forefront, further enhancing the support and services provided to <\/span>our chapters. It’s a role that brings together my years of classroom experience with the <\/span>fresh perspectives of what I have learned at NSTEM. It’s incredibly rewarding to leverage <\/span>my experience to assist and guide these dedicated teachers to the success of their <\/span>respective chapters.<\/span><\/div>\n
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My heart is<\/span> fi<\/span><\/span>rmly rooted in education, and my mind is enriched with the latest insights <\/span>into NSTEM. Being part of the NSTEM team allows me to contribute to the growth of the <\/span>organization. I am fully committed to the success of this company.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Blending decades of teaching experience with the fresh perspectives gained from my <\/span>master’s journey, I’m excited about the future! Advocating for education and innovation, I <\/span>strive to leave a lasting impact on the educational landscape, making a difference in the <\/span>lives of students and educators alike.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n
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Zuzana Urbanova<\/div>\n
Director of Marketing & Director of External Strategies<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Zuzana Urbanova<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n

urbanovaz@nstem.org<\/a>
\n978.381.9305<\/p>\n

My name is Zuzana Urbanova and as a global-minded leader with a deep passion for education, people, and organizational growth, I bring a unique blend of psychology, business, law, and human resources to my work at the National STEM Honor Society (NSTEM). My journey began in the Czech Republic, where I earned a degree from the Prague School of Advanced Legal Studies with a specialization in Employment and Labor Law. Later, I pursued a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology, an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources.<\/p>\n

At NSTEM, I serve as Director of External Strategies while remaining deeply engaged in Human Resources. My role allows me to connect innovation with people\u2014leading initiatives that drive national growth, AI-powered prospecting, and cross-department collaboration, while also mentoring and supporting interns as they take on leadership roles of their own.
\nMy dedication to HR and organizational development has been recognized nationally and internationally. I was honored as a Top HR Director by the International Association of Top Professionals and included in Who\u2019s Who in America. These recognitions reflect my commitment to building ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking structures that empower both individuals and organizations to thrive.
\nI believe in the power of education to transform lives and in the importance of fostering environments where people are supported to grow, collaborate, and lead. At NSTEM, I strive to align strategy with purpose, advancing our mission to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders while shaping a culture rooted in mentorship, innovation, and excellence.<\/p>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Advisory Council<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Elizabeth Mulkerrin<\/div>\n
Advisory Council<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Elizabeth Mulkerrin<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n


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Elizabeth Mulkerrin holds an Ed.D. and is the founder and CEO of Mulkerrin Strategic Solutions, LLC. Dr. Mulkerrin is the force behind collaborative partnerships and innovative informal education programming with school districts and universities which provide students with life science knowledge and career explorations through authentic STEM experiences. Mulkerrin is the co-founder of the Omaha STEM Ecosystem, an organization that brings business and education together in developing the STEM workforce. Mulkerrin has served as faculty at the University of Nebraska Omaha teaching graduate courses in science education and administrative leadership.
\nDr. Mulkerrin\u2019s robust leadership and strategic direction has created safe education environments for diverse learners by engaging all ages in experiential learning. Elizabeth\u2019s personal passion is within STEM education initiatives, positive youth experiences, partnership development, innovative programs for all children, and community engagement.
\nDuring Dr. Mulkerrin\u2019s time as the Vice President of Education at Omaha\u2019s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, she developed the Zoo Academy High School, Zoo Academy Middle School, Zoo Kindergarten, and Zoo preschool programs. These unique STEM formal education opportunities have been instrumental in developing the next generation of STEM professionals. This work has led to the publication of several topics including STEM workforce development, job shadowing, professional learning, and collaborative initiatives between informal and formal science education. Dr. Mulkerrin is a catalyst and leader in science education by serving as the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) board president, National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) president, and several National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine informal science expert panels.<\/p>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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Dr. Jos\u00e9 Morey<\/div>\n
Advisory Council<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Dr. Jos\u00e9 Morey<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n


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CEO and Founder of <\/span>Ad Astra Media LLC <\/span>and an Eisenhower Fellow with the 2020 ZHI XING Fellows Program. He is a health and technology keynote speaker, author, and consultant for NASA, Forbes, MIT, and the White House Office of Science and Technology.\u00a0 He is considered a leader in exponential technology innovation and excels at leading multidisciplinary teams that sit at the epicenter of biotechnology, AI, and aerospace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He is considered the first Intergalactic Doctor and is often featured on Forbes, Univision,\u00a0 CNBC, and NASA360. His latest essay \u201cThe Future Shock of Medicine: How AI will\u00a0 Transform Disease, Death and Doctors\u201d was recently reviewed by The Wall Street Journal along with other contributions by contemporary thought leaders. He serves as a technology and business advisor for MIT, NASA, UVA, African Innovation Alliance, US-Polish Alliance for Innovation and has served as special envoy to the Polish Space Agency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His expertise in big data and innovation has made him a sought-after consultant in many industries. As Chief Medical Innovation Officer for Liberty BioSecurity, he helps drive innovation in genetic intelligence, national defense, biotechnology, precision medicine, and augmented human performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Chief Engineering Council in charge of Innovation for Hyperloop Transportation\u00a0 Technologies, he directs international engineering teams in technology and intellectual property development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Medical Technology and Artificial Intelligence Adviser for NASA iTech, he helped evaluate research initiatives that would develop novel technology to meet the 2030 Mars\u00a0 Mission objectives and deep space exploration.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Morey has previously worked with IBM Watson Health as their Associated Chief Health\u00a0 Officer where he helped develop global AI medical technologies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Morey has also consulted with many companies to help create and train their deep learning algorithms and neural networks to develop intelligent systems in healthcare and aerospace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Morey sits on several AI advisory boards and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications,\u00a0 articles, presentations, and lectures. He also has a seat on the Informatics Leadership\u00a0 Council for the American College of Radiology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He has given talks to NASA360, the Radiologic Society of North America, HIIMS, Academy\u00a0 Health, Health Datapalooza, Tech.Co, Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange, Stifel\u00a0 Nicolaus Healthcare Investment Conference, the Chinese Medical Association, and the\u00a0 Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Morey holds an adjunct professorship of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of Virginia and at Eastern Virginia Medical School. And he is a guest lecturer at Singularity\u00a0 University. Morey is also an advisor with MIT Solve, Ideas MIT, Tampa Bay Wave, and I Corps Puerto Rico.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Morey is a Senior Advisor with the NASA Space Breathing Initiative, where he helps direct an international team of hardware and software engineers to develop a blockchain-based data platform pipeline in collaboration with NASA and NetApp for COVID-19 rapid response utilizing the hybrid cloud. Identified and guided hardware and software parameters well as edge device integration and clinical AI development for prescriptive analytics and integration with the US National Emergency Broadcasting System.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He also serves as a Special Advisor with the White House Office of Science and Technology\u00a0 Kaggle CORD19 Project. He advised the Director of Research of CORD19 which is a\u00a0 collaboration between the Allen Institute for AI, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI),\u00a0 Georgetown University\u2019s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), Microsoft,\u00a0 and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health to create AI\u00a0 platform to review scholarly literature about COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and the Coronavirus group. Advised director on how to transform research content into machine-readable form,\u00a0 making the corpus ready for analysis and study.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

See our Press Release here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>\"Twitter<\/a>\"LinkedIn<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"YouTube<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"Ad<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n

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Dr. Maxine Cain<\/div>\n
Advisory Council Chair<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Dr. Maxine Cain<\/h3>\n

\tLinkedIn URL<\/a><\/p>\n


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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 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). <\/span><\/p>\n

Maxine 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Maxine is a Senior Human Resources leader and entrepreneurial personality known for innovative approaches to business, strategy, diversity, and inclusion, and Emerging Technologies. <\/span><\/p>\n

Maxine is a visionary leader focused on disrupting the unconscious bias in Tech and bridging the gender gap in STEM. She provides STEM Education, Training, and STEM Consulting Services that include program evaluation, professional development, project management, curriculum development, and capacity building. <\/span><\/p>\n

Maxine is also the Founder & CEO of Mathis, Griffin, Cain, Consulting 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. <\/span><\/p>\n