About Us

Advancing Women in STEM* (AWINSTEM) provides proven executive strategies for corporations and organizations seeking to retain and advance experienced women in STEM.

AWINSTEM experts collaborate with CXOs, executives and sponsors to empower professional STEM women
AWINSTEM advisors guide professional STEM women as they work to develop and advance their careers
AWINSTEM speakers participate in executive roundtables, keynotes, webinars, seminars, and customized assessments

Women comprise 11% of employed engineers, 22% of those in computer related professions and 44% scientists. Research shows that women leave STEM professions at twice the rate of men and that only 1 in 3 will persist. Although many organizations have diversity and inclusion initiatives, many have not achieved the level of success they anticipated and this is especially true within technology-driven organizations.

Our unique and proven approach focuses on creating an inclusive workplace that enables STEM women to flourish at all levels. Our strategies and best practices are the results of our innovative research focused specifically on STEM women and STEM workplaces.

Advancing Women in STEM* (AWINSTEM) provides practical and proven strategies for corporations and organizations seeking to nurture an inclusive and impactful workforce that drives bottom-line results. Our related experience, approach, business acumen and research-based solutions are the foundation of our services. Founded by two women in STEM, AWINSTEM cultivates relevant and effective results based on award-winning research.

Kathleen Buse, PhD

Starting at the Eastman Kodak Company as an engineer, Kathleen has served in technical and management roles for more than 25 years. Her technical expertise includes: Manufacturing and associated engineered processes; New product development and technology transfer;Systems design; Applied automation and controls; Information systems; Quality systems; andProcess safety management. Her management experience includes: Engineering; IT; Operations; Product development; Quality functions; and Plant and facilities maintenance.Kathleen obtained her PhD in Management: Designing Sustainable Systems from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Her research has been framed by her practical experience in technology-driven and male-dominated organizations. It has focused on women who persist in the STEM professions and includes:

Leadership development
Women in leadership
Women’s careers — especially women in engineering and other STEM careers

Kathleen earned a BS in Chemical Engineering and Engineering & Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a MS in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Her unique research focuses on understanding the complex factors involved with retaining women in the STEM professions. Her work has won awards and has been presented at the Research ShowCASE in Cleveland Ohio, the Academy of Management Annual Meetings and at the Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference. Kathleen also has presented at the Women in Science and Engineering Roundtable, the Women’s Center at Bowling Green State University and the United Way of Lake County Women’s Leadership Council. She has delivered the keynote at national conferences including the Materials Research Society in San Francisco, CA, Phi Sigma Rho National Engineering Sorority in Louisville, KY and the Cleveland Engineering Society. Kathleen has consulted at a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Kathleen has published numerous articles in scholarly journals such as Career Development International and practitioner magazines including SWE Magazine. She has authored a chapter for the book “An introduction to women in STEM careers: International perspectives on increasing workforce participation, advancement and leadership”. She has been quoted in SWE Magazine, Crain’s Cleveland Business, and MRS 2014.

In 2013 Kathleen co-created the Leadership Lab for Women in STEM at Case Western Reserve University. The Leadership Lab is an intensive, immersive, professional and leadership development program for women in the STEM professions. Kathleen also is an adjunct professor in the Weatherhead School of Management, teaching doctoral and masters level classes on product design, materials and manufacturing, marketing and research practices.