MVP for Iowa STEM: Emily Abbas

MVP for Iowa STEM: Emily Abbas
“Greatness STEMs from” Emily Abbas, a member of the STEM Council, as this month’s MVP for Iowa STEM.

Once a contracted agent for Iowa STEM, now a passionate volunteer to the cause, this month’s MVP for Iowa STEM has helped bring “Greatness STEMs from Iowans” to life.

Emily Abbas, chief of staff and chief marketing officer for Bankers Trust, first caught the Iowa STEM fever working as the newest leader in Strategic America’s (SA) public relations department in August 2013. Just prior to starting her position at SA, the advertising agency won the bid to brand and promote the STEM Council to Iowans.

With Abbas at the helm, the SA team worked closely with STEM Council leaders to build a public awareness campaign, officially launching the brand in December 2013 with an arsenal of tools that brought key audiences together to tell the story of Iowa STEM.

When the opportunity came for Abbas to join Bankers Trust in 2014, she realized the emotional connection she had developed for Iowa STEM.

“We’d come so far in just one year, and I knew there was so much more we could do,” Abbas said. “It was important to me to continue to support the STEM initiative and its future success because I understand how vital it is to meeting our current and future workforce needs.”

The Governor appointed Abbas to the STEM Council in August 2014 where she has since contributed to working groups, including STEM in the Arts and STEM Summit planning.

“Like many Iowans, I believe our state’s education system is at the heart of what makes us great. Investing in STEM and keeping it in the forefront is not only critical to being a leader in educating the next generation, but it also is a vital economic development advantage,” she said.  “It’s an honor to serve with other STEM Council members from across the state who share this common vision.”

Hats off to Emily and the other 46 members of the STEM Council for their committed work to Iowa STEM.

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