HTHH-Southeast Texas Board of Directors

Lara Foster

Board Member

Lara graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and earned an MBA from the University of Houston. She has experience working in industries such as defense, energy, and semiconductors, holding engineering and management roles.

She is deeply committed to addressing the gender gap in STEM. Her dedication stems from her time at Raytheon during a co-op program, where she witnessed firsthand the contributions made by women in STEM. This experience impacted her with valuable insights into the daily activities of engineers and fueled her determination to pursue a long-term career in the field. Lara is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to HTHH’s mission of closing the gender gap in STEM fields.

Lara has also been involved with the Bauer Graduate Women’s Network (BGWN), serving as Director of Mentorship and Director of Alumni Relations. Lara is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds additional certifications in strategic management and Six Sigma. Outside of work, she is passionate about promoting STEM education and enjoys 3D printing and board games with her family.

Dr. Carmen de La Penha

Treasurer

Dr. Carmen de La Penha, a foreign medical graduate from Brazil, currently holds the position of Assistant Professor and Clinical Trials Manager at Baylor College of Medicine. In her capacity at BCM, she oversees clinical trials, demonstrating her expertise in the health sciences.

Beyond her professional duties, Carmen dedicates her time to volunteering as a Mentor for the Bauer Graduate Women’s Network at the University of Houston. This non-profit organization is committed to empowering female business professionals, fostering leadership among women in the business sector, and promoting diversity in the global workforce.

In December 2023, Carmen took on the role of Financial Officer at HTHH-Southeast Texas as a volunteer. In her position at High-Tech High Heels, Carmen aims to leverage her diverse skill set and passion for STEM to advance the organization’s mission. She strives to ensure that girls and young women have access to high-quality STEM education and equitable pathways into the field. Through her volunteer efforts, she actively contributes to the advancement and empowerment of women, aligning perfectly with the mission of High-Tech High Heels.

Carolyn Tobin

Board Member

Carolyn is an active volunteer, serving local and national organizations.  Carolyn has long been dedicated to increasing the number of young women entering Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.  Aligned with her passion for growth of STEM in the United States and associated opportunities for women, she joined the leadership team of High-Tech High Heels in 2012.  Carolyn has served in various leadership positions, including Treasurer, for High-Tech High Heels.

Reagan Henley

Community Impact & Grant Chair

Reagan Henley is a graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in Marketing. She brings five years of experience with corporate grant making and nonprofit partnerships. She specializes in facilitating and coordinating the implementation of community outreach programs that align with the organization’s mission and values, as well as fostering relationships with partners. 

Although her background is not in STEM, Reagan is passionate about advancing opportunities for girls and women in STEM fields. She took the role of Community Impact Chair at High-Tech High Heels in March 2023 and is excited to help close the gender gap in STEM. 

Rajvi Megha

Volunteer

Hi All! My name is Rajvi Megha and I have recently graduated from The University of Houston with an MS Degree in Global Energy Management. I have completed my Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from India. I am working with HTHH as a communications volunteer to connect other organizations and schools to empower female participation in STEM related fields. I feel that the gender gap in STEM needs to be bridged to make these STEM professions more diverse and inclusive. I am really excited to serve the organization as a volunteer and be a part of this noble initiative.

Tiphany Burrell

Board Member

Tiphany Burrell serves as the Houston Area Development Manager for Young Women’s Preparatory Network. She has served in executive leadership, program management, and fund development in the social services and education arena for over 20 years focusing on empowering girls through education, rebuilding communities, and activating the potential in every young person. 

In her role as Development Manager, Tiphany currently supports campuses in HoustonISD and AldineISD, where she is committed to connecting people to the resources that they need to become self-sufficient. She is also passionate about developing sustainable programming that supports empowering girls and young women in the Greater Houston area.

Tiphany has previously served as Director of Development for Target Hunger, Director of Development for Aldine Youth Center, and Program Manager for YWCA Houston. She also provides private development consulting for local ministries, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Tiphany has been married to her college sweetheart, Charles Burrell since 1995 (BOOMER SOONER). Tiphany is the proud mother of Xavier (a US Navy vet) and Jasmine (Chemical Engineer), who both graduated from the HoustonISD single-gender academies.

Dr. Meagan Pollack

Board Member

Dr. Meagan Pollock is a passionate advocate for STEM and a dedicated champion of equity and inclusion. With a PhD in engineering education from Purdue University, an MS in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University, and a BS in computer science from Texas Woman’s University, Meagan began her career at Texas Instruments, working with light projection on microscopic mirrors. She now utilizes metaphorical projectors and mirrors to shine a light on micro and macro social systems that, when adjusted, improve student and employee success in STEM.

Through her company, Engineer Inclusion, Meagan provides teaching, consulting, and development services to industries, nonprofits, and educational institutions worldwide. She helps people intentionally and systematically engineer equity and inclusion into their organizations, driving positive outcomes and effectively supporting employees and the community. Her focus on people-centered organizational change and culture development ensures lasting, meaningful impact.

Raised in southeast Texas, Meagan is eager to give back to the community that inspired her to become an engineer and computer scientist. Her journey with High-Tech High Heels began in 2007 at Texas Instruments, where she volunteered as a program developer. This experience sparked her passion for equity in STEM, leading her to switch from widgets to workshops, a bold and important pivot in her career. As a board member of the Southeast Texas Chapter of High-Tech High Heels, Meagan is excited to champion the mission of increasing women’s participation and success in STEM, bringing her energy, passion, and commitment to the team.

Julie N. Strickland, PMP

Volunteer

With almost 20 years in the aerospace industry, Julie N. Strickland is an experienced engineer, program manager, and innovator. She was born in the panhandle, graduated from UT, worked in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and now lives in Houston. She is a true Texan and space enthusiast.

Julie started her career at Raytheon Company in McKinney, Texas, where she worked on the multi-spectral targeting system (MTS) for the predator drone. That is the eyeball that contains the cameras and other electronic surveillance equipment. Her passion was for the space industry, so she moved to California to work for Northrop Grumman on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and Space-Based Infrared Satellite (SBIRS).

California is not Texas, though, so a home-sick Julie returned to Texas. She now works for Collins (an RTX business) in Houston, Texas. Formerly Hamilton Standard, Collins has designed and manufactured every American EVA spacesuit from Apollo to the ISS. For the Exploration Extravehicular Activities Services (xEVAS) program, the Collins Team will design the next spacesuit on this historic $93B program. Julie works with subcontractors on the xEVAS contract, which total $500,000,000 (five hundred million dollars). She is directly responsible for $50,000,000 worth of subcontracts including $15,000,000 in 2023 alone.

At Collins, Strickland serves as Director of the Technical Accelerator Program, which teaches junior employees how to develop and file innovative ideas. She holds five patent awards with many others in the pipeline. She serves as the Vice Chair of the Houston section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The book Strawberry Innovation, which contains all the wisdom that Strickland has gathered over years of developing inventions, will be published later this year.

Julie holds a Master’s degree, Material Science & Engineering, University of North Texas (UNT) and a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (UT).

Maryam Amini

Board Member

Maryam recently graduated with an MS in Finance from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business. She also holds degrees in Industrial Engineering. She is excited to start her career at Wells Fargo as a Risk Analyst and has experience as a non-profit treasurer.

Maryam had a wonderful experience with the Bauer Graduate Women Network’s Mentorship Program, which inspired her to support young women. Currently, she works with the Cougar Investment Fund as an Equity Analyst, valuing companies and making investment recommendations.

Maryam is thrilled to join the High Tech High Heels board to help close the gender gap in STEM education. With her background in finance and engineering, she aims to bring valuable insights to HTHH’s strategic planning and initiatives. She will work closely with her mentor, Carmen, the Treasurer on the Board of Directors, to inspire and support young women in STEM fields.

Catalina Herrera

President

Catalina Herrera is a seasoned data and analytics leader with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is currently the Field Chief Data Officer at Dataiku. With a passion for data and analytics, Catalina has dedicated her career to pushing the industry beyond digitalization to achieve business transformation. She has held both educational and technical positions, worked with state-of-the-art technology solutions across multiple industry verticals, and served as a data scientist and advanced analytics consultant. Today, she collaborates with Fortune 100 companies and global technology leaders on digital transformation initiatives. In 2020, her influence in the AI community in Texas earned her recognition as one of the top 30 women in Artificial Intelligence Advancements.

In addition to her professional achievements, Catalina co-founded a company dedicated to providing busy people with the space and means to maintain balance in life. Her company, “The Taste of Balance,” combines art and technology to foster balance between the two sides of the brain through mindful creativity.

Dalana Sowells

External Affairs, Communication Chair

Dalana Sowells has had a diverse career in the Oil & Gas industry since graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Dalana managed site-wide human performance improvement projects at GP Strategies (formerly RWD Technologies) for clients in both the downstream and midstream sectors. She earned an MBA in Technology Management before embarking on a career as a Pipeline Systems Planning Engineer and ultimately Manager of the Engineering Development Rotational Program at Enterprise Products. She later pursued an entrepreneurial endeavor as the Owner/Franchisee of a Kumon Math and Reading Center. Dalana is now on assignment as a gas transmission and marketing hydraulic engineer with Enbridge.

Currently, Dalana is a mentor in her local school district as well as an engaged volunteer throughout the community. Dalana seeks to instill inner efficacy and an interest in STEM careers in hopes of helping youth find their passion. Her interest in sharing STEM education with youth in our community started at the University of Oklahoma where she chaired local and national pre-college initiative programs.

Dalana enjoys cheering on the Sooners and other local sports teams, spending quality time with family, and exploring the arts.

Brittany Moore

Board Member

Brittany Moore is a driven and passionate professional with a deep-rooted interest in technology and a firm commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Information Management and Public Communication from Syracuse University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Brittany’s academic achievements and passion have opened doors for her to work in various technical roles at IBM since 2015, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI. She is dedicated to using her expertise and knowledge to make significant contributions to these fields and to push the boundaries of what is possible for women and girls.

In her personal time, Brittany is a dedicated advocate for women and marginalized communities in STEM. She is passionate about using her knowledge and experience to create opportunities for those historically underrepresented in these fields. Brittany has also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, enriching the lives of high school students through meaningful connections and guidance. When she’s not working or volunteering, Brittany indulges in her love for nature by exploring the arboretum trails of Houston, where she finds solace and inspiration. She also enjoys pursuing her interests in literature, personal development, and fitness, embodying a balanced approach to professional drive and personal enrichment.

Julia Ferrara

Vice President

Julia Ferrara is a finance analyst at Chevron, where she has been applying her financial expertise since graduating with a BBA in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. At Chevron, Julia uses tools from the Microsoft Power Platform—Power BI, Power Automate, Power Query, and Power Apps—along with SAP. She leverages these tools to work on multidisciplinary projects, collaborating with management and senior engineers to analyze asset performance and support Chevron’s operations in the Permian Basin (West Texas/New Mexico).

Julia’s career has provided her with diverse experiences in locations such as the Bay Area of California, Houston and Midland, Texas, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. This international exposure has given her a broad perspective on the oil and gas industry.

Her dedication to supporting women and girls in STEM is rooted in her own educational experiences. Benefiting from strong educational support from a young age, including attending an all-girls high school focused on STEM, Julia was well-prepared for a successful finance career. Her journey through traditionally male-dominated fields like finance and energy has reinforced her commitment to closing the gender gap in business and tech roles. Julia is passionate about investing in the next generation by creating opportunities for young women, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive in these fields.

Julie Thyne

Community Impact – Volunteer Chair

Julie Thyne graduated from the University of Texas with a chemical engineering degree. She has worked for Dow, Inc. for the last 26 years in a variety of manufacturing and engineering positions that include experience in pharmaceuticals, automotive, and electronic materials. She is currently an Improvement Director. Julie is the recipient of the 2014 STEP Ahead award from the Manufacturing Institute and a Prosci® certified change manager. She is a member of the Board of Overseers for the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Program. Outside of work, Julie promotes STEM education for elementary and middle school students.

Adya Roy

Board Member

Adya Roy has over 5 years of experience in system development and business process improvement for Fortune 500 companies and startups. Currently at Shell, Adya leads transformative initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. With a background in digital transformation at PACCAR and program management at Convoy, she has consistently driven efficiency and improved processes. As a Purdue University Industrial Engineering graduate and participant in the Purdue Women in Engineering program, she is committed to advancing gender equity in STEM. Adya also founded The Desi Career Woman, a platform that fosters an inclusive community for South Asian women seeking mentorship and support, often navigating the challenges of being a double minority in their workplaces.

Leteshia Lowe

Board Member

Leteshia Lowe is a Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM) at IBM, where she is responsible for testing of the IBM FlashSystem product family, an all-flash enterprise storage platform. She has over 20 years of experience in hardware and firmware testing focused on storage solutions, data backup and more recently Flash memory. As a technical test specialist, Leteshia provides debug and failure investigation, strategic test management and innovative Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) testing solutions, while helping to mentor new employees to the overall team.

As a first-generation college student, Leteshia is passionate about encouraging and motivating women to pursue careers in engineering by sharing her journey. She is currently on the Advisory Board for the NSBE Houston Professional Chapter Outreach Zone and chair of the SWENext Committee for SWE Houston Area Section, hosting monthly STEM sessions; working to increase STEM access to minorities and underrepresented communities. Leteshia is a past Pre-collegiate Initiative Chair of the NSBE Houston Professional Chapter, past Vice President of Outreach and FY23 President of the SWE Houston Area section. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from HBCU Tennessee State University and a Master of Education degree in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona. When not engaged in her varied volunteer activities, Leteshia enjoys movies, bike riding, and spending time with family.