Inspiring Stories

Today, more than ever, we need women at the forefront of STEM fields. Their unique perspectives and contributions are absolutely crucial for tackling the complex global challenges we face, from climate change and sustainable development to breakthroughs in medicine and technology. STEM fields offer incredible opportunities for innovation and impact, yet women remain underrepresented, hindering progress and limiting our collective potential.

This isn’t just a loss for women who are missing out on fulfilling and impactful careers; it’s a loss for society as a whole. We need diverse voices driving discovery and creating a more equitable future.

If you’re a young woman considering a future in STEM, wondering if you can truly make a difference, or a current STEM professional seeking a spark of inspiration and a reminder of your purpose, the stories below will reignite your passion and demonstrate the immense power and potential you hold to shape the world. These women aren’t just working in STEM; they’re changing lives, developing groundbreaking technologies, and creating a better future for us all.

These stories will reignite your spark

Alena Holazová

Alena Holazová, an independent researcher at the Institute of Chemistry of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, specialises in the diagnosis of cancer diseases using glycan structures. Her motivation for choosing this field stemmed from a natural inclination to help others and an interest in medicine, viewing it as a path fate led her to. She believes this profession is a good choice for aspiring professionals due to its capacity to help others, alignment with an interest in medicine, and opportunities for broad development. Her message to young girls considering a STEAM career is to pursue science if it’s a hobby, if they enjoy tackling unanswered questions, and if they are driven to educate themselves and share that knowledge.

Anna Gelencsér-Horváth

Anna Gelencsér-Horváth, a Computer Engineer at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, focuses her research on applying AI and computer vision to develop a “bionic eyeglass.” This smartphone-based device aims to empower blind and visually impaired individuals with object recognition, color identification, and autonomous navigation. Motivated by the desire to positively impact the lives of over 330 million visually impaired people, she champions careers in computer science, AI, and computer vision for their strong job prospects, diverse applications, and real-world impact. She advises young girls considering STEAM to pursue their genuine interests, explore research opportunities, and embrace a field that offers continuous learning, creativity, and a fulfilling work-life balance.

Lucija Gruden

Lucija Gruden, an HVAC Design Engineer at IMP Promont – Life Sciences, started her career as a researcher in indoor air quality and contamination control, evolving into life sciences research before transitioning to her current role. Her passion for understanding and improving indoor environmental quality, particularly the unseen aspects of air quality and ventilation, motivated her to enter this field. She believes this profession is excellent for newcomers due to the supportive environment with knowledgeable colleagues, continuous learning opportunities in a fast-paced setting, and the value placed on new team members’ future contributions. To young girls interested in STEAM, Lucija advises following their curiosity, valuing their unique perspective even if they are the only woman in the room, and knowing their voice matters.

Isidora Orlić

Isidora Orlić, holds degrees in Economics & Finance and Marketing Psychology, is the founder of The Center of Contemporary Skills and Technologies FIBONACCI and the master franchisee for Logiscool Serbia. Driven by a desire for creative freedom and the ability to work with inspiring young people, she chose entrepreneurship and franchising to combine her passions for digital literacy, event organisation, and innovative educational initiatives. She highlights that a career in this field offers creative freedom, impactful work, and aligns with the growing demand for digital skills, encouraging young girls in STEAM to embrace curiosity, explore diverse paths, and connect with inspiring peers.

Veronika Nagy Trembošová

Veronika Nagy Trembošová, a Material Chemist at the Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, SAS, specialises in the research and development of advanced metal-based materials, focusing on new technologies and their internal structures. Her motivation stems from a desire to create faster, lighter, and more energy-efficient technologies and to improve healthcare through biomedical applications of metals. She highlights that her profession offers a meaningful impact on everyday life, diverse learning opportunities across disciplines, and exciting innovation with cutting-edge materials. Veronika encourages young girls considering STEAM to embrace their curiosity and creativity, emphasising that their unique perspectives are vital for shaping the future in this dynamic field.

Natália Móller

Natália Móller, a Physicist specialising in Quantum Physics at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, investigates the complex interplay between quantum physics and general relativity, focusing on causal relations. Drawn by the counterintuitive nature of these fields and her love for mathematics, she highlights that her profession offers imaginative freedom, flexible hours, and an inspiring academic environment. She encourages young girls in STEAM to develop leadership skills early and confidently advocate for themselves.

Your unique ideas, creativity and perspective are essential to meet today’s challenges. Be persistent, curious, and creative. The STEAM world is waiting for your input!

Dovilė Kurpytė-Lipnickė

CEO, TECH Entrepreneur, Lecturer, Electronics and Informatics Engineer, VILNIUS TECH

If you insist and persist, a thousand other opportunities will open up beyond what you could have imagined.

Annamaria Regina

PhD student, CECAD Research Centre, University of Cologne (Germany)

Show the world that women can be renowned researchers. Research is cool!

Dr. Zsejke-Réka Tóth

Chemist, Researcher, post-doctoral fellow, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Science, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj

Follow your passion and embrace challenges – you belong in this field just as much as anyone else!

Eszter Molnár

Assistant Professor, PhD in Engineering, specialised in Network Science and Economics, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania

Good Practices

Implemented by Junior Achievement Serbia, Girls Go Circular makes a crucial impact by supporting schoolgirls and all students in the development of essential digital and leadership skills, all while providing comprehensive education on the principles of the circular economy and encouraging them to devise solutions for a more sustainable future. Through a dynamic learning-by-doing approach that incorporates online research, entrepreneurial role-plays, and challenge-based exercises, the program effectively combines education, technology, and sustainability. Ultimately, Girls Go Circular empowers students to actively participate in and shape a greener and more innovative world.

𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮, 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗮’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 actively promotes genderequality in STEM across all activities, boosting girls’ and women’s participation and contribution to STEM. Esplora makes a significant difference by actively working to ensure female representation at career fairs and STEM events, thereby increasing visibility and opportunity for women in these fields. Furthermore, through the National STEM Awards, Esplora spotlights local female role models, providing inspiring figures for young girls and women to look up to. Ultimately, these efforts contribute to combating stereotypes surrounding women in STEM, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Ženský algoritmus / Female Algorithm, “Back in business: an online academy for your successful return to work after maternity leave” directly addresses the critical need for workplace support for women in STEM returning from parental leave. Offered both openly and within specific tech companies, the program provides targeted training for women currently on or within a year of finishing parental leave. Through open communication, networking, and skill-building, participants gain valuable insights, recommendations, and practical support, leading to a smoother and more empowering return to their careers. This initiative highlights how direct support during career relaunch is vital for creating more inclusive and supportive workplaces.

Temenos is taking concrete steps to advance gender equality within the IT sector by actively empowering women throughout their professional journeys. Through targeted programs such as “Women Emerging Leaders” and “Senior Leadership Development,” the company is proactively identifying and supporting promising female leaders, focusing on the development of their skills, confidence, and overall impact in leadership positions. By demonstrating this institutional-level commitment to gender equality, Temenos is proving that investing in women’s success not only fosters real change within their organisation but also contributes to the overall thriving of the technology industry.

Implemented in 2023 with the support of the Belgian Federal Public Service of Economy and B12 Consulting, STEM4Her directly aimed to empower female secondary school students to make informed decisions and achieve success in higher education STEM fields. The initiative began with a broad awareness campaign in schools and two significant events engaging over 70 female students. Following this, STEM4Her focused on a dedicated group of participants committed to STEM, offering tailored support in their specific areas of interest. By providing tangible resources, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to STEM careers, STEM4Her has directly equipped young women with the tools and confidence needed to pursue their STEM ambitions.