Broadcom Foundation Champions Women in Engineering
Volunteer Highlights
Broadcom Foundation President, Paula Golden, and CFO, Maria Wronski, join Broadcom Inc. engineers and Da Vinci Science Center representatives in the Center’s new robotics lab.
Broadcom Foundation President, Paula Golden, and CFO, Maria Wronski, join Broadcom Inc. engineers and Da Vinci Science Center representatives in the Center's new robotics lab.
In October 2024, Broadcom Foundation President Paula Golden and Chief Financial Officer Maria Wronski joined Broadcom Inc. engineers on a tour of the 67,000-square-foot Da Vinci Science Center, which opened in May 2024. This national award-winning facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serves as a hub for STEM education — particularly computer science and coding — for PreK-12 students. Located in the Lehigh Valley, the center plays a crucial role in preparing under-represented youth to meet the growing demand for engineering professionals.
In addition to the Da Vinci Science Center, Broadcom Foundation partners with other organizations that provide mentorship opportunities to empower girls to envision successful careers in engineering, inspired by real-world role models. Through programs like the Da Vinci Center WISE Forum, Harmony Tech Camp, and Chief Science Officers (CSO) program, Broadcom Foundation brings together female engineers to mentor girls, sharing their journeys and insights. These initiatives connect young women with professionals who guide them in transforming their interests into impactful careers.
WISE Forum: Empowering Young Women through STEM Connections
Broadcom Inc. engineers attending Allentown, PA, WISE Event
November 12, six engineers from Broadcom Inc. participated in the Da Vinci Science Center’s annual WISE Forum (Women in Science and Engineering), sponsored by Broadcom Foundation. This event provided 130 high school girls with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with 200 female STEM professionals who shared their diverse perspectives, engaged in meaningful discussions, and formed new connections within the STEM community. When asked about the experience, an engineer stated, “It was enjoyable to talk with these young women and to share recommendations for how they can turn their present-day interests in engineering and the sciences into potential future STEM careers.”
Mentoring Tomorrow’s Innovators: Broadcom Engineers Lead the Way
Harmony Tech Camp, sponsored by the Broadcom Foundation and held annually at Broadcom Fort Collins, introduces middle- and high-school girls to the fundamentals of technology and engineering through workshops led by female engineers, including mentors from Broadcom Inc. The camp fosters curiosity, builds skills, and inspires young women to see themselves in STEM careers. Kyra Whitworth, Broadcom ESH Specialist and camp mentor, enthusiastically shared her plans to return in 2025: “Absolutely! It is important for younger girls to have an example of someone working and being excited about STEM in this ever-changing landscape.”
CSO Program: Developing Leaders in STEM through Mentorship and Training
Broadcom Foundation is proud to support the Chief Science Officers (CSO) program. This SciTech Institute program trains students to lead STEM initiatives in their schools and communities, empowering them with the skills and confidence to make an impact.
Westminster High School senior Janeth Palafox reflected on her experience at the recent CSO Leadership Training Institute held in October 2024: “The CSO Leadership Training Institute made my weekend unforgettable. Having the opportunity to connect and share my experiences with the newest members was a huge privilege and full-circle moment for me. I am especially excited to see what the new CSO members will do and how they will showcase their passions to their community while motivating the next generation of scientists and engineers. Thank you to our mentors and the Broadcom Foundation for this opportunity!”
Leadership Training Institute at Westminster High School
Janeth’s journey highlights how mentorship and leadership training empower young women to lead STEM initiatives while inspiring others.
Mentorship Matters: Broadcom Foundation Paving STEM Pathways
Broadcom Foundation’s work underscores the importance of mentorship, representation, and hands-on learning in creating a more inclusive STEM community. By connecting young women with accomplished female engineers and mentors, the foundation helps break down barriers and build pathways to success.
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Founded in 2009, Broadcom Foundation is a corporate nonprofit that advocates for equitable access to STEM education and digital literacy as essential for attaining meaningful employment and becoming productive citizens in a technology-driven society. The Foundation promotes basic coding as a critical 21st Century+ skill all young people need to be creative STEM problem solvers who think critically, communicate, collaborate, and that will help realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Broadcom Inc. is a global technology leader that designs, develops, and supplies a broad range of semiconductor, enterprise software and security solutions. Solutions include service provider and enterprise networking and storage, mobile device and broadband connectivity, mainframe, cybersecurity, and private and hybrid cloud infrastructure.
