WASHINGTON – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will showcase four speakers at the International Technology Conference for Womxn (GirlCon) June 27-30.

Aimed at high school girls, the virtual conference will feature breakout, professional development, keynote sessions, and panels with speakers from NNSA’s Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE):

Tech + AI: Applying AI in Energy, Climate, and Nuclear Weapons

Angela Sheffield, Senior Program Manager for AI and Data Science - NNSA

Cyber/Tech/STEM Career Development

Dr. Amy Bauer, Science Advisor – Los Alamos National Laboratory

Jessica Farrell, Federal Program Manager – NNSA

Tech + Sustainable Energy: Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration

Dr. Margaret Butzen, Physical Scientist – NNSA

“We need to engage the next generation early and often, if we are to recruit the best and brightest for the future of the Nuclear Security Enterprise,” said Angela Sheffield, Senior Program Manager for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at NNSA.

Sheffield, who plans to encourage attendees to be bold and make their ideas heard, noted how, “The data shows that our work environments need to be more inclusive of women, who are too often discouraged from speaking up and are not heard in the workplace.” 

GirlCon seeks to empower the next generation of female leaders. Attendees will have a chance to personally connect with companies from countless career paths and gain mentorship from women in both college and the workforce. This year, the conference anticipates more than 750 attendees from over 30 countries.

“Four years ago, GirlCon was founded as part of the global effort to close the gender gap in STEM career fields,” said co-founder Kyla Guru, now a student at Stanford University. “Today, that mission is as relevant as ever and GirlCon is one way we are helping young women not only recognize their potential but provide them with resources to achieve it.”

As part of its effort to further develop the federal workforce and attract the best and brightest to the agency, NNSA offers students firsthand experience across our labs, plants, sites, and headquarters through the NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program. Additionally, the NSE is actively hiring via virtual events, the next being this Wednesday, June 23.