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Debra "Debbie" Sterling is a prominent figure in the STEM industry, advocating for women and leading initiatives to engage the next generation of female engineers. After graduating from Stanford University where she noticed a significant gender disparity in her engineering program, Sterling set out to address the underrepresentation of women in the field.
Sterling founded GoldieBlox, a company that develops toys, games, and media to challenge traditional gender roles in children's toys and inspire young girls to explore engineering. Using innovative marketing strategies, including a viral Super Bowl ad, GoldieBlox has significantly impacted the toy industry. The company's products are now available in over 6,000 retail stores worldwide, and its YouTube channel has amassed more than 100 million views and 660,000 subscribers, providing inspirational and educational content that further supports its mission.
Sterling has been recognized extensively for her entrepreneurial and advocacy efforts. She was named TIME Magazine's "Person of the Moment," Business Insider's "30 Women Who Are Changing the World," and appeared on Fortune Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list. Additionally, in 2015, she was inducted as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. Her work has also earned her a “Living Legacy” Award from the National Women’s History Museum. In her talks, Sterling shares her journey and urges her audience to think innovatively and challenge the status quo, aiming to empower and inspire a global audience of future female leaders in STEM.
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Speech Topics
Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Engineers
Close your eyes and picture an engineer. You probably weren't envisioning Debbie Sterling. Debbie Sterling is an engineer and founder of GoldieBlox, a toy company out to inspire the next generation of female engineers. She has made it her mission in life to tackle the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math.
Think Audacious
When Debbie Sterling heard from Steve Jobs at her Stanford graduation that she should “never settle” until she found her true passion, she took this to heart. After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering & Product Design, she had firsthand knowledge of how significantly men outnumber women in science, technology, engineering and math. Debbie became determined to “disrupt the pink aisle” with a toy that would introduce young girls to the joy of engineering. Less than three years after launching GoldieBlox on Kickstarter, she has launched a Superbowl ad, an award-winning iOS app, and GoldieBlox toys in more than 6,000 retail stores worldwide. Debbie has also recently been selected to join the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship, a select group "committed to helping develop the next generation of entrepreneurs around the world." Hear Debbie’s story of challenging the status quo, achieving audacious goals, and igniting a national conversation about breaking gender stereotypes.
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