Windsor 2019
24 girls and 17 teachers and adults. Fun event, irrespective of the snow storm. Thank you to all those who joined us on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at the Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, Windsor, CT.
Panelists include: Commissioner Magubane, Brenda Lisitano of Pratt & Whitney and the Society of Women Engineers, Brenda Nuhfer, Amy Sailor of the Connecticut Science Center and Technovation, Jennifer Michalek of the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Brenda Nuhfer is a Control & Diagnostic Systems Program Manager at Pratt & Whitney, responsible for program execution of the PW1900G/PW1700G Next Generation Propulsion engines for the Embraer E195-E2/E175-E2 aircraft. Previously, Brenda worked at Collins Aerospace (previously UTC Aerospace Systems) in various capacities, including Program Manager, Advanced Technologies Manager, and Software Manager. She holds a Bachelor degree in Computer Science from the University of Connecticut and a Master Degree in Management from the Hartford Graduate Center (now Rensselaer at Hartford).
Brenda Lisitano is a Senior Engineer in the Controls and Diagnostic Systems group at Pratt and Whitney. As a Control System Engine Integration Lead for Next Generation Engines including the Airbus A320neo she brings together groups across the Engineering organization to solve complex problems. Brenda is the President of the Society of Women Engineers Hartford Professional Section. She received a Bachelor's of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Hartford.
Jennifer Michalek serves as Education Consultant at the Connecticut State Department of Education. In this role she provides leadership and support in the area of mathematics and computer science.
Jennifer was part the Bristol School System where she served as a grade 8 math teacher for 13 years. In this capacity, she served on both district and school data teams, the curriculum planning council and was a TEAM mentor. In 2012 she was recognized as Bristol's Teacher of the Year. Prior to coming to Bristol, she was a high school mathematics teacher in the Region 10 School System as well as with Simsbury Public Schools. She has also facilitated a variety of professional development learning opportunities at the school, district and state level. This year Jennifer became the first Connecticut teacher to be certified under the unique 110 endorsement for computer science.
Jennifer earned her B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in secondary education from Stonehill College in North Easton, MA. She went on to earn her M.A. in Special Education from Central Connecticut State University. Jennifer currently resides in Plainville with her husband and their three sons.