Empowering Women and Girls in STEM: A Conversation with Joanna Prieto
At Moderna, we are passionate about science and its positive impact on human health, and our efforts extend beyond our labs and offices and into the global community through the Moderna Charitable Foundation. This year, in partnership with Ashoka—a global organization renowned for identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs—the Moderna Foundation is supporting leaders who are working to address critical challenges in health, science and community development.
One of these visionary leaders is Joanna Prieto, founder of Geek Girls LatAm, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and girls in Latin America to thrive in STEM fields. As an Ashoka Fellow, Joanna is receiving support from the Moderna Foundation to scale her impact and bring more talent in technology and innovation.
To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we sat down with Joanna to learn more about her journey, her impact and her vision for the future.
Q: What inspired you to create Geek Girls LatAm, and what personal experiences shaped your passion for promoting STEM among Latin American girls?
A: My passion for technology started when I was nine years old and received a computer as a gift. That moment changed my life, opening doors to knowledge and creativity. However, my journey was not without obstacles—I became a young mother at age 18, faced financial hardships and had to fight for my education. I even pioneered remote learning in 1998, when I convinced my university to allow me to submit assignments via email. These experiences shaped my vision for Geek Girls LatAm, an organization that ensures no girl is left behind in the digital era. Our mission is to inspire, empower and connect women and girls so they can lead in STEM fields.
Q: What challenges did you face when starting Geek Girls LatAm, and how did they influence your approach to empowering girls in STEM?
A: When we launched in 2010, many doubted that a community initiative focused on women in technology could drive systemic change. The lack of role models and the skepticism around women’s leadership in STEM were major hurdles. These challenges reinforced the importance of persistence, education and collaboration. Today, we work to build an ecosystem where women and girls are not just participants but leaders in the future of technology.
Q: Why is it critical to invest in the talent of women and girls in STEM, and what barriers need to be removed?
A: Women and girls are an untapped force of innovation, but gender stereotypes, lack of access to quality education and systemic biases hold them back. In Latin America and the Caribbean, women represent 41% of STEM graduates but only 18% of professionals in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) fields.¹ At Geek Girls LatAm, we focus on dismantling these barriers through mentorship, education and community building. One of our initiatives, the STEM Women Congress Latin America, brought together more than 320 women in STEM, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of support and collaboration.
Q: Can you share a success story from Geek Girls LatAm that illustrates the impact of your work?
A: One of our inspiring success stories is Estefani Gil, who initially studied economics but discovered her passion for technology through our Talentos 4.0 program. She earned her graphic design certification, built her portfolio and secured a UX/UI design role at Blackboard. She later advanced to Booking.com in Amsterdam, where she now thrives in the tech industry. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and education.
Q: Why is it essential to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science?
A: This day is a powerful reminder of the work still needed to close gender gaps in STEM. Women make up only 28% of the global STEM workforce,² with even lower representation in emerging fields like AI and cybersecurity. To change this, we need a collaborative effort across sectors. At Geek Girls LatAm, we focus on leadership development and systemic change so that women are not just included in STEM but are driving innovation and progress.
Looking Ahead
The work of leaders like Joanna exemplifies the impact that mentorship, education and empowerment can have in breaking down systemic barriers for women and girls in STEM. As an Ashoka Fellow, Joanna is expanding her reach, ensuring that more young women have the opportunity to become the scientists, technologists and innovators of tomorrow.
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting the incredible contributions of women in STEM. One way you can do that is by learning more about Geek Girls LatAm and supporting their mission in technology and science.
----
¹https://www.undp.org/latin-america/blog/coded-bias-underrepresentation-women-stem-latin-america-and-caribbean#_ftn1
²Ibid.