SHPE CEO Pilar Montoya is Honored for Advancing STEM Awareness, Education and Leadership Development

Los Angeles, CA – The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc (SHPE) Chief Executive Officer, Pilar Montoya, was recently recognized in a special publication by STEMconnector™, “100 Women Leaders in STEM,” for her efforts to increase STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) awareness, access, support and leadership development among the Hispanic community. In a special reception to launch the publication at the US News STEM Solutions Summit in Dallas, Texas on June 28, Ms. Montoya, along with 99 other phenomenal women, was honored and acknowledged for their commitment to advance the cause of encouraging more girls and young women to pursue a STEM career. 

Leading the largest Hispanic technical organization in the country, Pilar Montoya has grown the SHPE membership, partnerships, chapters and sponsorships to over 10,000 members and 310 chapters throughout the United States. She has helped develop and expand an array of programs including STEM educational activities for K-12^th grade students, lunch time science programs, “Noches de Ciencias” (Science Night) programs to involve the whole family, presentations for girls (WISE) to stimulate awareness and interest in the STEM field.

“With the severe shortage of technical talent in the United States we believe the Hispanic population can help meet the demand for quality STEM talent,” explained Montoya. “Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States and by engaging students and parents early, we can ensure that the U.S. has superior leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to improve our environment, quality of life, education, health and well-being.”

            Pilar Montoya has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SHPE since 2009. She has over 25 years of business and financial management experience for private companies and non-profits. Prior to joining SHPE, Ms. Montoya led expansion efforts for a $580 million granting foundation in California. Ms. Montoya was also the Founder and President of a nationally acclaimed Hispanic Marketing agency with corporate, governmental and non-profit clients.

Source:  Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers