Breaking barriers, building futures: Micron’s empowerment for women in STEM and beyond

As the Executive Director for the Micron Foundation and a founding member of the Micron Women’s Leadership Network (MWLN) employee resource group, I’m honored to witness the transformative power of women every single day. In this season of celebrating Women’s History Month and reflecting on International Women’s Day, I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of pride for the incredible impact the women of Micron are making, both within our company and in our communities.

Through the collaborative efforts of the MWLN and our work at the Micron Foundation, we support nonprofit organizations and programs worldwide that are dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women. Together, we stand as a beacon of empowerment, championing inclusivity and an unwavering belief in the power of every woman to shape her destiny.

At the heart of our combined mission lies support — a cornerstone of empowerment that builds confidence and transforms lives. MWLN is also celebrating its 10th year as a Micron employee resource group. With 17 chapters around the globe and over 7,000 members, MWLN has forged over 500 mentor-mentee pairs and mentored more than 200 college students globally through our Global Women’s Mentorship Program – plus so much more. Our commitment to empowerment doesn’t end with mentorship and collaboration, it starts with it. At Micron, diversity is one of our greatest assets, and we’re proud of MWLN and the catalyst it has been to support women across Micron on their professional and personal journeys. It has paved the way for programs like the Women Innovate Network (WIN), which provides female inventors the resources, support and encouragement they need to turn their ideas into reality through patents that are revolutionizing industries and reshaping the world as we know it.

In addition to the work within Micron’s walls, the Micron Foundation is igniting sparks of inspiration and kindling flames of ambition in young women around the world, paving the way for future generations of leaders to rise.

Our collaborations with organizations like the Asia Foundation epitomize our commitment to empowerment. This initiative isn’t just about providing young women with access to networks and resources to pursue STEM careers — it’s about igniting a spark of passion that can fuel a lifetime of achievement. By engaging Micron team members and connecting them with the rising talent pool from the Asia-Pacific region, we’re not only shaping the future of our industry; we’re inspiring the next generation of female leaders to reach for the stars.

In Madhya Pradesh, India, our collaboration with UN Women is focused on motivating and supporting 1,000 rural girls and women already enrolled in higher education or vocational programs with incremental STEM education courses. This initiative gives them the resources to pursue STEM careers and bring back the STEM skills they acquire to their communities. By enhancing their employability skills and improving access to higher education, internships, apprenticeships and future job opportunities, we're working towards helping them achieve financial independence and creating a brighter future for themselves and their communities. 

Initiatives like the Penang Science Cluster’s Girls in Robotics program in Malaysia exemplify how organizations are addressing the gender disparity in science and technology-related industries head-on. By empowering young girls through boot camps and mentorships, we’re instilling a mindset of confidence and resilience, showing them that their potential knows no limits.

Our commitment to empowerment extends across borders and cultures. MWLN collaborated with the Girl Scouts of Japan to host our inaugural Chip Camp exclusively for female students in Hiroshima. During the camp, participants engaged in two days of immersive robotics and binary-logic workshops to earn their badges. Women engineers from Micron Japan shared their inspiring STEM career journeys and led the girls on a tour of our advanced manufacturing facilities in Hiroshima. Additionally, the Girl Scouts of Japan established STEM badge programs in Hiroshima and Tokyo, providing practical opportunities for girls to participate in workshops and connect with role models to pursue STEM careers.

Our Girls Going Tech events are not only enriching minds; they're nurturing aspirations. By organizing these events for hundreds of girls across the globe, we're demonstrating that the realm of technology is inclusive and accessible to all. For example, in Taiwan, we had the privilege of hosting three Girls Going Tech events in 2023, engaging over 260 girls and igniting their passion for making a positive impact through technology.

In the U.S., we’re nurturing the seeds of possibility with care and dedication through our grants. With partners like Techbridge Girls and Girls Inc., we’re empowering the next generation of female innovators and trailblazers, showing them that their dreams are not just valid — they’re invaluable. Through initiatives like STEM from Dance, we're showing girls that innovation blooms where passion and perseverance intersect, combining the worlds of science, technology and dance to ignite endless creativity.

As we celebrate the achievements of women past and present, and the 10-year anniversary of MWLN, we’re not just reflecting on history — we’re making history. Together, as the women of Micron, we’re writing a new narrative — one of empowerment, resilience and boundless possibility. So, let’s continue to dream big, to reach higher and to empower each other every step of the way. Because when we lift each other up, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.