After spending much of her scientific research career working for men, Stephanie Fettig-Scholl took a leap of faith and opened Element Research Group (ERG) in 2022. Based in Brooklyn Park, the facility provides preclinical testing for medical device and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. It is also the only woman-owned preclinical testing facility in the Twin Cities. Not only is the ERG’s work essential to bringing innovations to the marketplace, Fettig-Scholl is committed to inspiring the next generation of women in STEM by building a culture that values women, and a majority of her 11-person team are women. In its first year of business, ERG worked with more than 20 clients across multiple therapeutic areas. The company recently launched a clinical division while continuing to grow its biopharmaceutical preclinical services.