CARY, N.C. (December 15, 2020) -
Her Spark, Inc., a non-profit with a mission to equip girls with the skills and opportunities to succeed in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers of tomorrow, is welcoming five new members to its board of directors. The new board members will serve three-year terms, starting January 2021.
“Each board member brings a unique skill set to Her Spark that will enable future growth and ignite innovation for our students. Everyone is an outstanding leader in their own right, and they are also amazing team players who are genuinely focused on having a positive impact on Her Spark and the students we serve. I am excited to see what the future holds as the board and organization continues to evolve,” said Her Spark Co-Founder Tess Bradford. The new appointments are:
Ruwani Biggers, President. Ruwani is the strategic lead and Chief of Staff for the Proactive Services Engine within Cisco's Customer Experience Centers. She is a staunch advocate for hiring and promoting female engineering talent at Cisco and is excited to build the next generation of engineers through Her Spark. As the new president, Ruwani will guide the overall direction of the organization and mobilize the board, partners, resources and volunteers to execute key initiatives.
Sweetie Browne, Vice President. Sweetie brings a fresh perspective to the board, utilizing her background as a program manager and as Global Lead of Cisco’s Women In Science & Engineering (WISE) to evolve the strategy of the organization. As vice president, Sweetie will foster new partnerships and drives business outcomes.
Deandra Scott Hill, Secretary. Deandra has been an educator for 15 years in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Durham Public Schools, and, most recently, with Duke TIP. Deandra specializes in student self-advocacy and engagement, giving presentations throughout the region. As the secretary, Deandra will organize information and meetings for the organization to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.
Damien Perez, Strategy Lead. Damien is a veteran with more than 20 years of service in the field of aviation. He led projects in the military and held leadership positions in several non-profits. Damien currently teaches STEM courses at Project-Based Learning charter school, and he also serves NCPMI as VP of Certifications and PMI Educational Foundation Liaison. As the Strategy Lead for Her Spark, he will identify short-term and long-term goals to sustain forward growth for the organization.
Diane Zanner, Events and Programs Lead. Diane currently leads a team of operators and technicians at Dell’s North Carolina manufacturing facility. She also serves as the University Recruiting Champion responsible for long-term hiring strategies, and founded the N.C. GenNext ERG to create a community for recent hires. As the events and program lead, Diane will direct the development, integration and execution of Her Spark events, camps and collaborations.
“The expertise and experience of these outstanding leaders will propel Her Spark forward and build on the foundation established by Her Spark’s dedicated network of community volunteers and corporate supporters,” added Bradford.
For more information, to learn ways to get involved or to make a donation, please visit HerSpark.org or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
About Her Spark, Inc.
Founded by professional women and business leaders, Her Spark’s mission is to equip girls with skills and opportunities to succeed in STEM careers of tomorrow. The organization is dedicated to solving gender disparity in computer science, engineering and technology careers. Her Spark provides young women educational and networking opportunities in an effort to diversify the STEM talent pipeline. The organization conducts workshops throughout the year and has a popular annual summer camp.
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