STEM Southwest Podcast

Join Bob and Shelly as they interview John Rizzo, the CEO and co-founder of the New Mexico Innovation Triangle. John is leveraging the power of innovation and tech for the common good. John shares about some of his Silicon Valley experiences with Apple and Intel with the STEM Southwest listeners, and his current work with the New Mexico Innovation Triangle.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

John is currently the CEO and co-founder of the New Mexico Innovation Triangle

John Rizzo is an entrepreneurial transformation agent, focused on leveraging the power of innovation and technology for the common good. John has more than 40 years of experience helping guide some of the world's most successful technology companies through start-up phases, major product launches, branding and marketing campaigns, rapid growth, acquisitions, and initial public offerings (IPOs). He has raised well over $200 million in venture capital financing, and was a key early-stage contributor to companies that are today delivering well over $325 billion in combined sales with combined market capitalizations well in excess of $2 trillion.

You've probably heard of two companies in Silicon Valley that John Rizzo has worked for: Apple and Intel. At Apple, John was on the first Macintosh team with Steve Jobs. At Intel, John was responsible for what is FLASH memory today, which enables almost all of our consumer electronic devices.

The New Mexico Innovation Triangle

Proposed Innovation Villages in Los Alamos

New Mexico Angels

Film Prize New Mexico

Battling Bots League (Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse partnership)

Robot Rumble (in partnership with Cottonwood Mall)

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Contact:

John Rizzo

[email protected]

How do we get Girls Into Tech and keep Girls Into Tech? In today's episode, Shelly shares her emotional STEM story and how her 6th grade science fair project boosted her desire to learn more science and tech. Shelly shares about her first Radio Shack computer that was purchased with money that she earned delivering newspapers. She grew up in what we now call an underserved rural community with no mentors that could help to guide her pathway to tech, which impacted her access and her future career. She hopes to open doors of opportunity to girls in a way that no program has ever offered before.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

We often hear Shelly share that we owe it to every daughter to open the doors of opportunity and fill them with hope while equipping them with skills and confidence that they can be successful in STEM.

Growing up as a shy country girl, Shelly was an innovator and problem solver who would eventually become a community leader inducted into the STEM Hall of Fame. With a PhD in Workforce Education and Career Development, she believes that young people need two things to make their best career decisions:

-Broad Range of Experiences

-Great Role Models

Shelly is committed to using her philosophy and experiences in working with young women in order to ensure that they have the opportunity to become a Girl Into Tech. She shares that "Girls Into Tech is my answer on how we encourage and support more Girls Into Tech - we need women's viewpoints in the marketplace and the only way for that to happen is by knocking down the barriers that our daughters face."

Mimi Vandermolen, Ford Motor Company: Mimi Vandermolen, the Ergonomics Genius Behind Ford's "Rounded Edge Revolution" - Core77

What makes Girls Into Tech special:

-ongoing support and mentoring community, not simply one and done

-by girls for girls, growing them into peer leadership

-monthly programming

-workshops and training

-access to scholarships and opportunities

Special thanks to:

Meta/Facebook for sponsoring the first cohort of girls in Valencia County, New Mexico

R4Creating as Girls Into Tech sponsor: R4 Creating

Founding sponsor, Market Ascent: Market Ascent - Home

How to support Girls Into Tech:

Learn more about Girls Into Tech: Girls Into Tech How It Works – Be Greater Than Average

Contact:

Become a sponsor of Girls Into Tech: Girls Into Tech – Be Greater Than Average

Sign up a Girl: Girls Into Tech – Be Greater Than Average

Share your genius – send us an email on how you want to get involved: [email protected]

What started with a class project led to an entrepreneurial journey and innovation in the informational technology company, RiskSense. Today's guest, Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala, openly shares the challenges and victories of his amazing race. In 2021, Ivanti acquired his company and he now serves as Senior Vice President of Security Products. Sri impressed Shelly while openly sharing his journey during a keynote presentation at the New Mexico Technology Council Experience IT Conference in 2021. There is a lot to unpack in this episode so let's get started!

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala is Senior Vice President of Security Products for Ivanti. He was the founder and CEO for RiskSense until Ivanti acquired the company in August 2021. He is a recognized authority in the artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks communities and was part of a think tank that collaborated with the U.S. Department of Defense on applying these concepts to cybersecurity problems. Dr. Mukkamala is responsible for Product Management for all Ivanti Security products and will continue to drive innovation in integrated security solutions across all company pillars: ITSM, Security, and UEM. Dr. Mukkamala was also a lead researcher for CACTUS (Computational Analysis of Cyber Terrorism against the U.S.) and holds a patent on Intelligent Agents for Distributed Intrusion Detection System and Method of Practicing.

Dr. Mukkamala holds a PhD of Philosophy and a Master of Science degree from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

New Mexico Tech

Indian Space Research Organisation

RiskSense

Ivanti

Battling Bots League (Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse partnership)

Robot Rumble (in partnership with Cottonwood Mall)

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Contact:

Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala

Linkedin

This week's guest, Andrea Sisneros Wichman, helps us dive into the subject of training and how it influences the STEM workforce. The CNM Ingenuity program offers a wide range of immersive technology training in addition to Coding Bootcamps. In 8-12 weeks, you can learn, apply the knowledge through project-based learning, and then walk into a new career. These programs are popular nationwide, but CNM was one of the first to offer this type of training, and is now working with other colleges across the nation to innovate in this way.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Andrea Sisneros Wichman, Program Director with CNM Ingenuity, leads immersive technology training programs, including the Deep Dive Coding Bootcamps. A fifteenth generation New Mexican, Andrea's passion for the community is reflected in winning 40 Under 40 Business Leaders in New Mexico in 2018. Andrea has been with CNM since February 2011, building a portfolio of technical training programs through managing many grants, contracts, and business units such as Technology Solutions Labs.

Central New Mexico Community College

CNM Ingenuity

ActivateNM

Deep Dive Coding

Deep Dive Coding Bootcamps

Internet of Things Bootcamp

Salesforce Administrator Career Certificate

FUSE Makerspace

STEMulus Center

STEM Southwest Episode 18 - John Mierzwa

Battling Bots League (Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse partnership)

Robot Rumble (in partnership with Cottonwood Mall)

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Contact:

Andrea Sisneros-Wichman

[email protected]

[email protected]

Linkedin

Twitter

This week's episode is a double dose of Fin Tech! Join Bob and Shelly and learn about FinCon21, where money and media meet, and also hear from some of the interesting folks that they met and some great tools for your financial future.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Ryan Ruff is Head of Fintech Relations at ASA, bridging the gap with the creators of tech and those who want to invest in the development of tech. He is leading the way to create a bridge between technology development and those who want to invest in the future expansion of important tech.

Jake Tamarkin is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Everyday Life Insurance. Jake is passionate about using technology to help people make their financial lives easier. Let him explain why he says that "Insurance is Stupid" and just what we can do about it.

FinCon21

Fintech Startup Competition

ASA

SpendPal

Everyday Life Insurance

A few of the financial apps that Bob and Shelly use

Acorns

Acorns automatically invests spare change and provides cashback rewards at select retailers

Bumped

Bumped turns everyday spending into investing by which users get fractional stock rewards when they spend.

Bitmo

Bitmo rewards you for everyday shopping at major brands both online and in-store

Travel Freely

Travel Freely helps users navigate the process of earning credit card rewards for free travel

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)

Contact:

Ryan Ruff

[email protected]

(801) 473-5749

Linkedin

Jake Tamarkin

(888) 681-3811

Linkedin

Twitter

Celina Bussey is a Specialist Leader at Deloitte and this week's guest on STEM Southwest Podcast. Her rich experience in workforce development gives amazing insight into this deep dive discussion about the future of the STEM workforce. Shelly and Celina discuss workforce solutions and innovations as well as the important and growing work happening at Deloitte.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Celina Bussey is a Client Relationship Executive in Deloitte's Government and Public Sector practice and serves as a subject matter expert for Labor and Workforce Development. She has worked with state and local government agencies, higher education, and the private sector in New Mexico for nearly 20 years.

Deloitte

Deloitte - Internships

New Mexico Governor's STEM Showcase

A New Playbook for Talent, by Joe Ucuzoglu, Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte

Job-Centric Upskilling: The New Workforce Development Imperative, by Celina Bussey, John O'Leary, and Sushumna Agarwal

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)

Contact:

Celina Bussey

[email protected]

Linkedin

Today's guest is working to ensure that the gap in the digital divide for Indian tribes is closing! Catherine Nicolaou and Sacred Wind Communications are leveraging all of the resources that they can reach and then some as they try to solve this daunting issue. Hear from her today about how organizations are partnering to make a difference and bridge the gap and what we can all do to make a difference! Nicolaou is an expert in state regulatory and marketing, a member of the New Mexico Technology Council, and a registered lobbyist.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Catherine Nicolaou is the External Affairs and Marketing Manager for Sacred Wind Communications, the state's newest rural telecom carrier, which provides voice and internet service to rural and tribal areas in Northwest New Mexico on Navajo land. As such, she interfaces with state regulatory officials and government officials to promote the company's public image and business agenda. She also manages the coordination, review, compilation, assembly, filing and tracking of reports, tariffs, audits, applications, and petitions to state, tribal, local, and federal authorities, including state PRC, FCC, RUS, or any other governmental authority, while promoting brand recognition through the company's marketing initiatives. Catherine is a member of the New Mexico Technology Council and the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce policy committees. She is a registered lobbyist for Sacred Wind and sits on the board of the Cibola Arts Council.

Sacred Wind Communications

Sacred Wind Communications - Careers; send resumes to [email protected]

Dinehnet

Lifeline Program

Sierra Electric Cooperative

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)

Contact:

Catherine Nicolaou

Sacred Wind Communications

External Affairs and Marketing Manager

7801 Academy Rd NE

Building 2, Suite 103

Albuquerque, NM 87109

(505) 908-2668

[email protected]

Linkedin

Sacred Wind Communications

Linkedin

Facebook

YouTube

Today's guest, Dr. Rebecca Woodbury (Keller), is a scientist, chemist, educator, cyclist, and curriculum expert! In this episode, she and Shelly have a great discussion on how to disrupt education and what needs to be done to provide a greater STEM experience for students. Join them and consider what you can do to take action and help to infuse education with a love of learning!

Show Notes

Watch episode here

For over 20 years. Dr. Rebecca Woodbury (Keller) has been exploring the ways students learn. Starting out as a research scientist in the field of biophysical chemistry, she left academia to create quality educational support materials for students and educators. In 2003, she founded Gravitas Publications Inc. and introduced the Real Science-4-Kids product line for home and classroom educators. In 2020, Dr. Woodbury branched out to launch a new company, called Nachokat, to introduce the RATATAZ STEM program as a way to introduce fundamental science concepts in easy-to-use activity-based kits. The RATATAZ program incorporates several different learning modalities to get kids back to asking their own questions and playing like real scientists.

Real Science-4-Kids (Gravitas Publications)

Real Science-4-Kids (Amazon)

RATATAZ

Sequence of Learning (RATATAZ)

Products (RATATAZ)

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Make Just One Change, by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana

The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)

Contact:

Dr. Rebecca Woodbury (Keller), Ph.D

CEO, RATATAZ Science Kits

Nachokat LLC

[email protected]

RATATAZ

300 Menaul Drive NW, Suite 200

Albuquerque, NM 87107

(505) 207-8125

[email protected]

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Please join us today as we have an interesting discussion with a repeat guest, Jonathan Firth, who is Chief Operating Officer at D-Orbit, an international New Space company with solutions covering the entire lifecycle of a space mission. We first met Jonathan as the organizer of the Las Cruces Space Festival and met him again at a robotics competition while he was in the U.S. working with Virgin Galactic. He was a long-standing member of the senior executive team that started up Virgin Galactic and we are blessed to call him a friend who has done a lot to support the STEM Southwest Podcast.

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Jonathan Firth has been directly involved in the development of the commercial space industry since 2004, when 'SpaceShipOne' reached suborbital space and won the 'Ansari X-Prize'. He is the Chief Operating Officer at D-Orbit, an international New Space company with solutions covering the entire lifecycle of a space mission, including: mission analysis and design, engineering, manufacturing, integration, testing, launch, and end-of-life decommissioning. Previously he was a long-standing member of the senior executive team that started up Virgin Galactic, The Spaceship Company and Virgin Orbit, leveraging his previous business development and program management experience in the commercial aviation, long distance rail, mass transit, and oil & gas industries.

Jonathan is a mechanical engineering graduate of Imperial College London and holds an MBA from Henley Business School, UK. He is a regular keynote speaker on space activities and the global space economy at international events.

D-Orbit

ION Satellite Carrier

Solutions (D-Orbit)

Las Cruces Space Festival

Virgin Galactic

97th Burning of Zozobra kicks off in Santa Fe

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)

Contact:

Jonathan Firth

[email protected]

Linkedin

Facebook (D-Orbit)

Linkedin (D-Orbit)

Twitter (D-Orbit)

Instagram (D-Orbit)

Join Shelly and her guest today, Ray Sandoval, Director of Corporate Communications and brand management at PNM Resources, talk about key issues including sustainability and environmental leadership. Ray also shares his love of Old Man Gloom, Zozobra, and explains the technology involved in lighting a fire to burn away troubles!

Show Notes

Watch episode here

Ray Sandoval is the Director of Corporate Communications and brand management at PNM Resources. In this role, Ray directs the internal and external corporate communications strategy while leading key initiatives to benefit PNM customers and community engagement. Additionally, Ray manages the external awareness on the company's corporate sustainability and environmental leadership. He earned a law degree from Boston University, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University.

PNM

AVANGRID

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

PNM whatif

Burning of Zozobra

Burning of Zozobra (footage)

Be Greater Than Average Gift of Learning

Be Greater Than Average Courses

Be Greater Than Average Family Fun!

Be Greater Than Average A Semester of STEM Activities E-Book

Battling Bots League (Partnership between Be Greater Than Average and Electric Playhouse)

Contact:

Raymond Sandoval (505) 241-2782 [email protected]