“The members of the Lumity Network are not bonded through a specific industry, company, or alma matter. We come from different backgrounds and experiences and work shoulder-to-shoulder to create opportunities in STEM education and the workplace.”
— Kara Kennedy, Lumity Executive Director
It often strikes me how social networking is conflated with social media. Social networking certainly happens on social media (we’re doing it now!), but it’s also so much more.
The power of social networking is in the spirit, hard work, dedication, and care that happens when people connect personally. It’s even more powerful when networking is for social good. This idea of personal connections and connectivity for social change drew me to Lumity as its Executive Director. It’s in our DNA, and it drives our mission.
This past year has been a long one, and the pandemic has brought to light many of the systemic challenges we’ve been fighting to break down. Like many of you, I miss being in person together. Our staff, while doing a phenomenal job of transitioning our program to a virtual environment, also miss working in person with our youth and volunteers.
This past year reminded me of how deeply grateful I am for our Lumity supporters—the staff, board members, corporate partners, volunteers, and donors—and the connections we’re creating for social good. These personal connections are why we’ve been able to continue our programs online. Our STEMWorks participants are landing their first STEM jobs with our corporate partners, and our STEM Career Prep students will have the skills to pursue their STEM passion.
We have also seen and heard this past year that Lumity supporters, staff, and youth are organically coalescing into a unique STEM professional network.
Over the next few months, we will be highlighting all of the different members of the Lumity network to understand their connections to the work we do. Many know from personal experience that STEM careers change lives. We are excited to share their stories.
Kara Kennedy, Lumity Executive Director
