On January 27, 2026, IGNITE Worldwide hosted a Women in Cybersecurity Virtual Panel connecting students from Armwood High School, Spanaway Middle School, Tonasket High School, and Auburn Mountainview High School with professionals working across the cybersecurity landscape. A total of 79 students participated in the event, which featured Lead Panelist Jo Justice, Business Information Security Officer at Leidos, alongside Panelists Serena Lekhrajani, Software Engineer II at Microsoft, and Andrea Frost, Product Owner and Senior Security Engineer at Dell Technologies. The Panel was facilitated by Wennahele Navarrete at Afiniti, with support from the Cybersecurity Alliance and PauseTake9.
The conversation gave students an honest look at how people actually enter and grow in cybersecurity careers. Panelists shared stories about their educational paths, early challenges, and the reality that confidence and clarity often come later, not first. Students were especially engaged by discussions around representation, the role of AI in future tech jobs, and how cybersecurity connects to fields like project management, gaming, and simulations. Educators noted how powerful it was for students to hear that even professionals with advanced degrees struggled in school at times and that changing career paths is both common and possible. Advice centered on being brave enough to ask questions, continuing to learn through conferences and networking, and believing in yourself even when the path feels unclear. A practical discussion on staying safe online, paired with PauseTake9 strategies students already use and more they can try out, grounded the event in everyday relevance. Across urban, suburban, and rural classrooms, the panel expanded students’ view of what cybersecurity can look like and helped them see a place for themselves in it.
“Today’s event inspired me to go for my goals, acknowledging that there will be hardships. It inspired me to do as much research as possible and to look into all good career choices there are for me.”
10th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned today was the importance of STEM and how tech is used in today’s world.”
8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event helped me with my future. My favorite thing I learned today is how it is to be as a woman working in STEM.”
6th Grade IGNITE Student
“The people in this event I can relate to. I learned that people of different backgrounds can do stuff, and you can do it too.”
9th Grade IGNITE Student
“Listening to the speakers helped me to understand how to get into this job field and how the speakers found themselves in these careers.”
8th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
75%
INTERESTED IN STEM
80%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
67%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
81%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“It made me feel like women can do anything that men can do. And we can be just as smart. I enjoyed hearing others’ stories.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“It made me see that I don’t need to know what I want to do right this moment, and I have plenty of time to find what I’m passionate for.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to try different things and base my future job in stuff I like.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“Its inspiring me to look more into biology, not only using it as a way to gain credits but to gain knowledge. My favorite thing was learning about how AI affects STEM jobs and how it affects day to day work.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I felt inspired because it’s nice to see women in a male-dominated field. My favorite thing I learned is that you don’t have to know what you wanna do right now.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspires me to do what I like: animation, music, and art! I love these things and I love how I can create and make and share to others who also like the end result.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned today is that there’s MANY different tech jobs that I can do if I’d like to, and that they’re always going to be there even if I have a different career!” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“It answered a bunch of questions i had but just didnt know where to ask. It also gave me more confidence to achieving my goals.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing to learn was how the road to their journey was much different then where they are now. I didn’t anticipate it.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I feel like I have a chance in getting the job I want, an ER Nurse. I feel like this event can help me with patients data and be able to diagnose someone and being able to use AI responsibly. My favorite thing I learned is that people found what they wanted to do in life even if life is hard.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned today was how AI is improving careers in STEM and making other things easier/more accessible.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me by how many women in the meeting didn’t know they would have this job and how they struggled in life but persevered through. Thank you volunteers, my favorite thing I learned was how you can use a VPN.” – 8th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned today is that there are programs dedicated to helping women get mainly male dominated jobs and to dominate those jobs, to become equal and to make it much more fair. Thank you so much for teaching us all today, I hope each of you have an amazing day!” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“Speaking on behalf of the group, and as the CSHS president, just to simply talk about what motivates the panelists and what it took to get there is inspiring enough. The volunteers should be acknowledged. In fact. Andrea from DELL hit home for some of our 12th graders who have thought about quitting.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Jo Justice
- Serena Lekhrajani
- Andrea Frost
- Wennahele Navarrete
- Karen Ainsworth
- Ted Newfield
- Kristi Hutchins
- Gina Mork
About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at igniteworldwide.org.