In a bold bid to tackle a global lack of women leaders in STEMM, Dr Kathryn Whittey, a marine biologist from Dolgellau, North Wales has committed to leading for a sustainable future for our planet after being chosen as a participant in the global Homeward Bound initiative.
Homeward Bound is a 12-month leadership initiative for women with a background in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine). It aims to equip a 10,000-strong collaboration of women with the skills to demonstrate a new model of leadership, to create better outcomes for our planet.
It is widely acknowledged that women in STEMM fields are underrepresented in leadership globally. For example, in the United States, women currently make up nearly half (48 percent) of the workforce but hold less than 18 percent of leadership roles at top tech companies.
This 12-month program includes online learning to increase leadership capacity, strategic capability, visibility, and collaboration, and culminates in a global meeting of all 102 participants. Kathryn along with the other participants will meet in Ushuaia, Argentina before embarking on a life-changing voyage to one of the most ecologically sensitive and inspiring areas on Earth, Antarctica.