Dasia Taylor is a trailblazing STEAM advocate (M for medical technology), sneakerhead, and technology innovator who has been nationally recognized for her exceptional scientific achievements. Being passionate about equity meeting science, she is intentional in using her knowledge to make a difference in the lives of students of all ages. As a high schooler Dasia gained national recognition for prototyping a suture capable of identifying developing infections, showcasing her innovative spirit and dedication to improving healthcare. In recognition of her remarkable achievements, Dasia was named the 2023 Iowa’s Woman of the Year presented by USA Today, which recognizes leaders who are making a significant impact in their communities. Dasia was also featured in the Rebel Girls series, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women book. Through her innovative work and advocacy for STEAM education, Dasia is inspiring the next generation of young leaders to stay curious, learn inside and outside of the classroom, and make a positive impact on the world.

Award-winning entrepreneur, engineer, and tech evangelist. Served as the third U.S. chief technology officer from 2014-2017 after spending eleven years as vice president at Google leading new business development, and later at Google[x]. PlanetOut CEO, General Magic and co-founder of the Malala Fund. Board member of MIT, Vital Voices; Member, National Academy of Engineering.