2026 Notable Women in STEM

From clinical research to IT services and engineering, these 10 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.

2026 Notable Women in STEM

Patrice Banks

Patrice Banks

Program director, Spark-Y
Patrice Banks has been Spark-Y’s “air traffic controller,” per executive director Zach Robinson, in her execution of the Minneapolis nonprofit’s mission to teach youth entrepreneurship through STEM-based educational programs. With
Ann Byre

Ann Byre

Vice president, chief pharmacy and laboratory officer, Allina Health
At Allina Health, based in Minneapolis, Ann Byre leads pharmacy and laboratory strategies and services across the greater Twin Cities. With help from Byre and her team, Allina has established
Rebecca Gordon

Rebecca Gordon

Principal, ERA Structural Engineering
Rebecca Gordon, an industry leader in architecture, engineering, and construction, has engineered more than 625 structural projects, including Minnesota landmarks such as the Minnesota State Office Building, the HealthPartners Lakeview
Kinsey Greer

Kinsey Greer

Fire protection manager, Burns & McDonnell
Kinsey Greer oversees fire protection and life safety work for complex aviation and industrial fuel facilities at the Burns & McDonnell engineering and construction firm in Bloomington. In her role
Melissa Howe

Melissa Howe

Director, digital product-customer facing, Marvin
Melissa Howe leads digital initiatives that connect customers, dealers, and internal teams at the Eagan corporate office of Marvin, the Warroad-based manufacturer of windows and doors. She leads enterprise customer-facing
Anne Lee

Anne Lee

Environmental director, Flint Hills Resources
As part of the Flint Hills Resources leadership team, Anne Lee is responsible for overseeing environmental programs at the Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount, which supplies transportation fuels. Trained as
Kelsey J. A. Metzger Metzbertsel

Kelsey J. A. Metzger Metzbertsel

Professor, Center for Learning Innovation, University of Minnesota Rochester
Kelsey J. A. Metzger Metzbertsel, a founding member of the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), has helped shape a curriculum that prepares students for careers in health care. In 2024,
Marit Slawson

Marit Slawson

President, Bright Research
As president of Bright Research, Marit Slawson has played a key role in scaling the Minneapolis-based medical device clinical research organization. Over the past seven years, her leadership has contributed
Jennifer Turnquist

Jennifer Turnquist

Vice president of client development, Genesis10, Dev10
Tapping more than 30 years’ experience in IT and consulting, Jennifer Turnquist serves as vice president of client development for Genesis10’s Dev10 talent creation program. Upon creation of the program
Jena Zangs

Jena Zangs

Chief data and AI officer, University of St. Thomas
Jena Zangs is the first, and currently only, chief data and AI officer in Minnesota higher education, according to University of St. Thomas research. At the St. Paul-based university since