Industry Leaders Convene at Caltech to Help Equip Pasadena Students for Future Careers

Earlier in September, leaders from science, technology, education, and government gathered at Caltech for the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s (PEF’s) SciTech Roundtable. The event aimed to equip Pasadena Unified School District students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in future careers and drive technological innovation.

“This roundtable is just the beginning. It marks an important step in ensuring that Pasadena students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Patrick Conyers, PEF Executive Director, at the Sept. 13 meet. “By bringing together diverse perspectives from industry, education, and the community, we can create a roadmap for college and career readiness that meets the evolving needs of our workforce and society.”

The invitation-only event featured dynamic discussions moderated by Heather Backstrom, an executive facilitator and PEF Board member.

Over two hours, participants explored essential skills for future workforce success, innovative educational approaches, strategies for equitable access to opportunities, and the role of community partnerships in enhancing outcomes.

The roundtable included a distinguished group of participants:

• Mitch Aiken, Associate Director of Educational Outreach, Caltech
• Heidy Arriola, Regional Account Manager, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
• Erik Berg, President, Tyton LLC
• Mimi Carter, Partner, Carterus Strategies
• Helen Chan Hill, Chief Academic Officer, PUSD
• Bassil Dahiyat, President & CEO, Xencor
• Vannia De La Cuba, Deputy from the Office of the Mayor, City of Pasadena
• Maggie Hendrie, Dean of Media & Technology, ArtCenter College of Design
• Alexander Hernandez, Assistant to City Manager, City of Pasadena
• Veronica Jaramillo, Dean of Natural Sciences, Pasadena City College
• David Klug, Director of Economic Development, City of Pasadena
• Zach Mank, Director of Engineering, HoneyBee Robotics
• Chris Mattmann, Chief Data & Artificial Intelligence Officer, UCLA
• Rob McClinton, Board President, Innovate Pasadena
• Karina Montilla Edmonds, Senior Vice President at SAP and PEF Board Member
• Nadirah Nayo, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Development, and Educational Technology, PUSD
• Deborah Orret, Computer Science Teacher and App Academy Curriculum Designer, PUSD
• Claire Ralph, Director of Career Achievement, Leadership, and Exploration, and Lecturer at Caltech
• Jeff Rich, Outreach Coordinator, Carnegie Science
• Amir Sadjadpour, Lead Structural Engineer, TMT International Observatory
• Kristina Turley, Director of Planning, Innovation, Accountability, and Special Projects, PUSD
• Pamela Weatherspoon, Vice President of Enterprise Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Engagement, and Wellness, Huntington Health

The event builds on PEF’s ongoing commitment to advancing science and technology education. The foundation supports hands-on learning experiences, teacher professional development, and cutting-edge technology in classrooms.

Insights and recommendations from the roundtable will inform PUSD and PEF’s future programming and partnerships to strengthen the science and technology education pipeline in Pasadena. The next roundtable is scheduled to be held in mid-November 2024.

More information on the SciTech Initiative can be found at pased.org/scitech.