2023 Notable Women in STEM

From overseeing large companies’ IT operations to developing medical devices and more efficient manufacturing processes, TCB’s 16 Notable Women in STEM are leaders and innovators in their field. They’re passionate about the work and committed to mentoring the next generation of women in STEM.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be
included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

2023 Notable Women in STEM

2023 Notable Logo

Sara Burdak

Sara Burdak

Chief audiology officer/executive vice president of product strategy, Starkey
Sara Burdak is at the forefront of delivering technology that makes a difference. With nearly 30 years of audiology experience, Burdak ensures that every new hearing aid manufactured by Eden
Mary Elizabeth Faulkner

Mary Elizabeth Faulkner

Vice president/chief information security officer, Thrivent
With more than 20 years of experience in information security, litigation advisory services, and audit, Mary Elizabeth Faulkner oversees information security and IT operations to protect clients of Minneapolis-based Thrivent.
Stephanie Fettig-Scholl

Stephanie Fettig-Scholl

Founder/CEO, Element Research Group
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,
Becky Jansen

Becky Jansen

Associate vice president of technical services, Upsher-Smith Laboratories
Maple Grove-based Upsher-Smith Laboratories celebrated Becky Jansen’s 20th anniversary at the company by promoting her to associate vice president of technical services. The pharmaceutical company says she’s been an integral
Tammylynne Jonas

Tammylynne Jonas

Global chief information officer, Donaldson Co.
As the global chief information officer at Donaldson Company, a $3.3 billion filtration products and solutions company based in Bloomington, Tammylynne Jonas drives innovative technology solutions around the world. She
Mika Kinney

Mika Kinney

Design engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc.
In her role as design engineer and construction inspection manager for Bolton & Menk, Mika Kinney coordinates construction activities and contractor schedules and performs field engineering for Twin Cities residential
Denielle Larson

Denielle Larson

Senior project engineer, 3M
Denielle Larson is a senior project engineer in the automotive and aerospace division at 3M’s Maplewood headquarters. In 2022 alone, she worked on 25 projects and managed $20 million in
Sarah Lloyd

Sarah Lloyd

Principal engineer, Bolton & Menk, Inc.
With more than 20 years of engineering experience, Sarah Lloyd specializes in municipal street and utility infrastructure projects for Bolton & Menk, working out of the civil engineering firm’s Burnsville
Kristin McKenzie

Kristin McKenzie

Senior director of information technology, Digi-Key Electronics
Kristin McKenzie thrives on leading technical teams and solving complex global business and IT challenges to drive business value. At Thief River Falls-based Digi-Key Electronics, McKenzie guides 14 development teams
Sharon Roberg-Perez

Sharon Roberg-Perez

Partner, Robins Kaplan LLP
A litigator with a Ph.D. from M.I.T., Sharon Roberg-Perez leverages her knowledge of molecular biology when working on IP disputes between biotech, medical devices, and other life sciences companies. Roberg-Perez's
Lienne Sethna

Lienne Sethna

Postdoctoral fellow, St. Croix Watershed Research Station, Science Museum of Minnesota
A rising star in water quality research, Lienne Sethna has devoted her career to finding solutions to some of our region’s most pressing environmental puzzles. A postdoctoral fellow at the
Sabrina Shi

Sabrina Shi

Process development engineering principal, SkyWater Technology 
A highly skilled and accomplished engineer with more than 20 years of experience in semiconductor fabrication and technology development, Sabrina Shi is a go-to resource on Bloomington-based SkyWater’s yield team.
Meghan Stiling

Meghan Stiling

Chief digital and operating officer, Nerdery
As chief digital and operating officer, Meghan Stiling oversees Nerdery’s largest department and is responsible for growing its technical and strategic delivery for clients, as well as shaping the firm’s
Sharon Kennedy Vickers

Sharon Kennedy Vickers

CEO, Software for Good
An accomplished tech executive with 25 years of experience transforming organizational systems and cultures through the effective use of data and technology, Sharon Kennedy Vickers is known for delivering people-centered,
Kera West

Kera West

Director of engineering, Minnetronix Medical
Kera West is a biomedical engineer who led the creation of the optics business for Minnetronix Medical, which was key to shifting the St. Paul company’s capabilities beyond general medical
Caroline Ylitalo

Caroline Ylitalo

Division scientist, 3M
A prolific inventor, Caroline Ylitalo has more than 100 issued and pending patents. An expert in respiratory protection for healthcare workers, she collaborated with the CDC and FDA to understand