Guest Profile

Cathi Rodgveller

IGNITE is a Seattle based non-profit organization with a 10 year history of showing young girls the possibilities represented by STEM science, technology, engineering, and math careers. IGNITE offers an affordable, community based, multifaceted approach to STEM education providing toolkits and curriculum which allow educators across the globe to replicate the successful model that thrives in Seattle public schools. IGNITE brings together young women, educators and women professionals who work for local companies and agencies and live in nearby neighborhoods.

We've seen life-changing results for more than 18,000 girls. In Seattle, the number of young women in technology courses more than doubled after the implementation of the IGNITE program in high schools. IGNITE has received many awards, including; Cisco's "Gender Initiative Award;" the "Programs and Practices that Work Award" from the Association for Career and Technical Education ACTE; and IGNITE founder, Cathi Rodgveller, was honored by Womens enews as one of "21 Leaders for the 21st Century."