Lauren D. Thomas Quigley is an “alternative academic” aiming to improve STEM education through research and practice. Lauren earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech with dissertation research focused on the identity-trajectory of graduate students in niche fields; she was also the first Black woman to graduate from the department. More recently, her research interests lie in the intersections of womanism, social justice and STEM products, processes and knowledge. Lauren’s professional roles have all been related to launching and growing large-scale STEM education programs. She has led STEM education programs in higher education, government, nonprofits, and the tech industry. Lauren is currently the AI Skills Advisory Practice Leader at IBM and an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in Human Centered Design & Engineering. Dr. Quigley is an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.