IE Women in STEM X Day Tackles Gender Disparity, Inspiring Next Gen Sci-Tech Girls

STEM X: Exploring the Unknown, Creating the Future brought together a full house of young women eager to carve out their place in STEM. Spearheaded by Rafif Srour Daher, Executive Vice Dean of the School of Sci-Tech and her team, the event has become a cornerstone platform for empowering girls and women in a field where they still represent only 28% of the workforce—an even smaller fraction in areas like AI and engineering.

Designed to encourage and support aspiring young women in science and technology, the annual event welcomes high school and graduate students to connect with female industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and researchers.

This is more important than ever. As discussed during the STEM X panel, "In AI development, where algorithms influence hiring, healthcare, and finance, only 22% of professionals are women. This lack of diversity leads to biases embedded in technology, affecting decisions that impact all of us. When women aren’t part of building these systems, the technology ends up reflecting only one perspective—and that’s a problem."

The day kicked off with a powerful welcome address from IE's Mar Hurtado De Mendoza Crespo, VP Global Recruitment & Marketing, who challenged students to picture themselves ten years from now—not as students, but as pioneers of change. 

"Maybe you’re in a lab, making breakthroughs in renewable energy. Maybe you’re developing an AI-driven app that transforms education. Or maybe you’re designing sustainable cities that harmonize with nature. Whatever your vision, hold onto it—because everything that exists today was once just an idea in someone’s mind." Her words set the tone, encouraging young women to see themselves as the architects of tomorrow.

The event was packed with hands-on workshops, including an immersive Quantum Computing VR experience led by Irene Alda, supported by the Digital Learning Department’s Emilio Guillot and Cristina Álvarez, along with two BAM students. In Kefir and the Microbial World, Irene Sánchez and Sandra Díaz guided participants through an exploration of the role of microbes in health and food innovation. Meanwhile, the Robotics IE-Hero session, run by Suzan Awinat and Computer Science students, had the girls engaging in hands-on problem-solving challenges as they programmed their own IE HerBot.

For Master’s students, the event featured career-focused workshops by the panelists to help them navigate male-dominated industries with confidence.  Celiana Carreño Hernandez led a session on self-confidence, overcoming impostor syndrome, and work-life balance, followed by Marta Piedrafita Baudin, who tackled salary negotiation and closing the pay gap. Wrapping up the series, Ashley Duque Kienzle shared insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and making the leap from the corporate world to founding a startup.

Top Tips from the STEM X Panel for Girls Ready to Break Barriers

"Diversity is a catalyst for innovation."

A major theme of the panel was how diversity fuels better ideas and problem-solving. Maria Isabel González pointed out how different perspectives lead to stronger solutions, especially in fields like cryptography and cybersecurity. "If everyone in a room shares the same experiences, they will see threats the same way. But diversity enables us to anticipate and address challenges differently," she explained. 

Adriana Tarazona Villaverde, a Bachelor’s in Business & Data Science student, backed this up, sharing how her passion for design and marketing influences her approach to data analytics. She highlighted how STEM isn’t just about technical know-how—creativity plays a huge role too.

"Be resilient – and be adaptable."

Panelists shared stories of navigating male-dominated industries, with Celiana Carreño Hernandez reflecting on often being the only woman in the room at major tech firms. Her advice? Keep pushing forward. "You’ll be told ‘no’ a lot," she cautioned. "But what matters is knowing which feedback is constructive and which to ignore. You have to believe in yourself and keep going."

Ashley Duque Kienzle encouraged students to see failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback. "Every failure is a lesson that brings you closer to success," she reminded the audience. 

"Have 100 coffees!"

Mentorship and networking were also big topics of discussion. Marta Piedrafita Baudin advised students to find mentors who are a few steps ahead in their careers. "You need to start looking for people who are five years ahead of where you want to be. Find your mentors, build your network, and never stop learning. Have coffees, have lunches—each one is a chance to ask questions, gain insights, and move forward. When you finish your hundred coffees, you’ll have a hundred new perspectives, and that’s how you grow," she said.

Panelists also stressed the value of joining STEM communities—whether through university clubs, hackathons, or industry events. These connections, they explained, can open doors, provide support, and lead to new opportunities.

"Keep it real."

One of the most relatable moments of the discussion came from a student in the audience who asked about balancing a STEM career with personal life. The panelists acknowledged the challenges but reassured the audience that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Carreño Hernandez, who brought her daughter to the event, put it simply: "There is no single right way to balance career and family—it’s about making choices that align with your values. Whether you decide to focus on your career or take a step back for family, it’s your decision, and it’s valid."

"And finally… Be Bold"

The panel wrapped up with an empowering message: the future of STEM is in the hands of the next generation. Speakers urged students to be bold, take on challenges, and embrace the value of their unique perspectives in shaping what’s next in technology and science.

As Carreño Hernandez put it:

"The future isn’t invented yet—that’s your job. And it starts today."