Finalist: Lee Ann Kline

President & Founder
STEM Advantage

Lee Ann Kline is the president and founder of STEM Advantage, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit focused on advancing gender and racial equity in STEM fields. With over 40 years of experience, she recognized the lack of diversity in the STEM workforce and created STEM Advantage to empower talented, low-income, first-generation college students attending California State University (CSU). The program offers internships, mentors, scholarships, professional development, and a supportive community to level the playing field and provide access to economic and social mobility. Under Kline’s leadership, the organization has achieved significant recognition and secured multi-year gifts to expand its impact. STEM Advantage’s holistic program benefits not only the students but also their families and communities, addressing gender and racial wealth gaps. Her vision is to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive- skilled workforce by inspiring and supporting women and underserved communities to pursue STEM careers.