ROME — The Project Fibonacci Foundation presented its third annual STEAM Women Rising Symposium on March 3 at the Beeches Manor in Rome with sponsor New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC). The day included stories and testimonials from a panel of women business leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs who talked about their career journeys, challenges […]
ROME — The Project Fibonacci Foundation presented its third annual STEAM Women Rising Symposium on March 3 at the Beeches Manor in Rome with sponsor New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC).
The day included stories and testimonials from a panel of women business leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs who talked about their career journeys, challenges they faced, and how they overcame barriers. Panelists included Birch Wealth Management CEO Iris Buczkowski, Munson President/CEO Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio, Rome Health President/CEO Annemarie Walker-Czyz, Rome City School District Superintendent Nerlande Anselme, Utica Mutual Insurance Company President/CEO Kristen H. Martin, and Adirondack High School math teacher Jackie Mann. Hilda M. Jordan of HMJ Consulting emceed the event with MSgt. Della Pray as panel moderator.
Melanie Sawyer, a contestant on Season 10 of the History Channel show “Alone” and owner of Wild Foods & Wilderness, shared motivational stories as a professional survivalist instructor and forager.
During the event, state Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon presented the Project Fibonacci Foundation’s founder and chairman Andy Drozd a New York State Assembly Citation for efforts to promote STEAM and arts leadership education, acknowledging the foundation’s role in inspiring young women to explore careers in STEAM.
Students took part in a Creating Connections Fair, which featured 30 professional and academic institutions from around the state and highlighted the opportunities available in the region.
More than 150 students and educators from 11 school districts attended the event, which was offered at no cost through table sponsors including ANDRO Computation Solutions, LLC; AndroMetaX, Inc.; AmeriCU Credit Union; Assured Information Security; Birch Wealth Management; Black River Systems Company; Cathedral Corporation; D’Arcangelo & Co. LLP; First Source Federal Credit Union; Griffiss Institute; Indium Corporation; Mohawk Valley Materials; Nascentia Health; Standard Insulating; SUNY Polytechnic Institute; and Utica National Insurance Group.
The STEAM Women Rising Symposium committee is already preparing for the fourth annual symposium, set to take place in March 2026.
