Innovation thrives when diverse perspectives lead the way. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the visible and vital impact of our women leaders in STEM. From biology to technology to accounting, these leaders are solving complex challenges and redefining what’s possible. They are more than just experts in their fields—they are the heartbeat of our culture here at Normandeau.
In industries characterized by long-standing gender imbalances, we asked our folks, “Who/what inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?” Continue reading to get to know the women leading the way and how they got their start:
Julia Robinson Willmott
Vice President & Ornithologist
“As a child my grandmother ran a grocery shop in UK. She sold sweets (candies), raisins, flour etc. loose by weight, scooped out of large wooden drawers or out of large glass sweet jars. Customers would leave the shop with their purchases in paper bags. I remember the sweet bags were triangular, coned shaped when full of candy and she would tell me she had a “twist of sweets” for me when she gave me a treat. She was one of my favorite visits as a pre-5-year-old. I slept in her living room. She had a grandfather clock that chimed every quarter of an hour keeping me awake, and five paintings of birds on her wall. The pictures were of a Blackbird (Turdus merula), a Robin (Erithacus rubecula), a Greenfinch (Chloris chloris), a pair of goldfinches on thistles (Carduelis carduelis), and a Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella). I remember these birds in the order in which they were seen by me in the wild with the help of my dad. The last I found was Yellowhammer when I was around 6 years old and on a family camping trip to Wales. It was sitting on a wire in the full sun.
As a result of my quest for the “Famous Five,” I developed a passion for birds, later joining the local junior RSPB, joining my parents at the West Midlands Bird Club outings to see birds like the last few remaining individuals of the then imperiled Red Kite (Milvus milvus), and watching and when allowed, helping with local bird banding studies. All these activities gave me a passion for conservation and a desire to understand migration. And here I am. Thank you grandma for the sweets and sleepless nights (!) and thank you mum and dad for encouraging my passions.”
Maura Surprenant
Vice President & Senior Regulatory Specialist
“For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to the outdoors, a connection that ultimately shaped both my personal values and my professional path. My interest in environmental stewardship began in junior high school when I joined the Youth Conservation Corps, a federal program that blends hands-on work experience with environmental education. The opportunity to earn money while helping preserve natural resources on federal lands introduced me to the idea that science, service, and environmental responsibility could be intertwined.
The program’s emphasis on ecological awareness and work-based learning left a lasting impression. It provided my first real exposure to environmental science and helped me understand how human decisions influence the natural systems we depend on. That early experience became the foundation for what has grown into a nearly forty-year career in environmental science.
Throughout my career, I have been able to combine my love of the outdoors with a commitment to conservation and resource protection. What began as a simple appreciation for nature evolved into a lifelong vocation grounded in STEM.”
Jessica Buckingham
Biology Laboratory Manager & Senior Aquatic Taxonomist
“When I was a child, we lived near the Baltimore Zoo and the Baltimore Aquarium. My parents were members of both, and I often went to day camp and other children’s programs sponsored by one or the other. I was fascinated by all the different species and animal behaviors I learned about, and I wanted to know the names and facts about every animal on exhibit. My mother often took us to the zoo or aquarium during the day, and I would lead my family around when we visited rattling off the name of every species I had learned as we passed. These early childhood experiences inspired me to go to school for both marine biology and animal behavior research. I also volunteered my time as a docent at both the San Diego Zoo and the Louisville Zoo. I’ve never grown out of my early love of identifying animals and that’s probably why I really enjoy being a taxonomist!”
Barbara Pinet
IT Manager
“I grew up in a world of numbers. My mother was an accountant, and I spent my early years stocking shelves and running the register at my aunt’s convenience store. Naturally, I followed my mother’s footsteps and started college studying accounting, then a job at Indian Head Bank in Nashua, NH changed my trajectory.
Hired for word processing, I soon found myself drawn to the internal workings of the machines. I moved from typing dictation to fixing the equipment, and when the bank installed its first local area network (LAN), I was offered a job as a Systems Administrator. I pivoted my major to Computer Information Technology and never looked back.
Entering IT meant being a pioneer in a field where few women worked. Even today, women make up only 25% of the workforce, yet the rewards are great. From a smaller pay gap between men and women, to incredible career flexibility and marketability. Every modern company is a digital company, and the demand for skills in AI, cybersecurity, and data science is only growing.
My journey began at a cash register and led me to the heart of the digital revolution. Technology grows in leaps and bounds—come along for the ride!”
Maria Adams
Controller (Finance/Accounting)
“From my earliest memories, I have always been drawn to anything relating to math, science, and technology. I also had a strong curiosity to understand the business and financial world, due to observing my father run his various businesses. I would look over his shoulder as he “played with numbers,” none of it really making any sense to me as a child but understanding that it was part of his business activities planning. I was never led to follow a certain career path, only encouraged to do well in my academic studies.
As a child, my parents purchased me a set of the World Book encyclopedia, and every year I eagerly awaited their annual Science Year release. I would spend hours perusing the various articles in the book, cover to cover. In middle school, when the first Apple computers were introduced during our Math labs, I enjoyed finding out what a few alphanumeric codes could produce. In high school, I took honors math and science courses—as well as a couple of BASIC programming courses—but my focus was primarily on a career path relating to biochemistry. Just when I was about to begin my senior year in high school, my mother suggested that I take an accounting course to provide some variety to my class transcript. That was when I experienced my “aha” moment: I finally found the area of study that I wanted to pursue as a career.
Studying Accounting in university brought together my solid foundation in math, science, and technology, and finally provided an understanding of business, finance, and economics. All these pieces of the puzzle in place continue to fuel my motivation in my chosen career to this day.”
Sammy Cyr
Project Administration Manager
“I was lucky enough during my childhood to be surrounded by strong leaders and many female role models that paved the way for my future in STEM. My interest in science began with my grandfather, who was a biology teacher in Wisconsin. Fishing in the Great Lakes, Canada, and Alaska with him when I was young influenced my curiosity in biology and led to the lifelong learning habits I still rely on today.
When it comes to mathematics (and leadership), I blame my parents. I grew up watching my parents embody the qualities of compassionate leaders as collegiate coaches. With my parents as the Head Coach (mom) and Associate Head Coach (dad), I was privy to many conversations about the team: highlights, lowlights, and statistics. By bringing together my passion for biology with my interest in statistics (along with plenty of encouragement from a few key folks here at Normandeau), I’ve found a fulfilling career path that feels like home.”
While every journey we’ve shared today began with a different spark—a childhood curiosity, a school program, or on-the-job exposure—they all led to the same place: a seat at the table where the future is being built. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to pursue your own path in STEM, let these stories be it. At Normandeau, we aren’t just celebrating history; we’re building a culture where the next generation of innovators can find their own inspiration.
