Sheryl Wells retired after more than 30 years as an educator. Most of those years were spent with the Flagstaff Unified School District, where she inspired students to explore, question, create, and solve problems through STEM learning. A National Board Certified Teacher and former STEM Coordinator at W.F. Killip Elementary School, she believes that every child is born with a natural curiosity and that meaningful, hands-on experiences help that curiosity grow into lifelong learning. After receiving STEM City's STEM Teacher of the Year Award in 2020, Sheryl joined the STEM City Board of Directors. In retirement, she continues her passion for connecting learning with the community as a Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator, helping educators build authentic learning experiences by partnering with local businesses, organizations, and experts. She also serves on the Flagstaff Festival of Science Board and volunteers with the Flagstaff Family Food Center and the Blue Watermelon Project. Sheryl is passionate about ensuring that learners of all ages have opportunities to stay curious, explore new ideas, and discover the possibilities that STEM can open throughout their lives. When she isn't volunteering or building community partnerships, Sheryl enjoys hiking, traveling, and discovering new places with her husband.

Madison Pompeo serves as Vice President of Flagstaff STEM City and as the Director of Communications and Public Relations for Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD). Originally from San Diego, she moved to Flagstaff in 2015 to attend Northern Arizona University and quickly fell in love with the community. She has worked for FUSD since 2019, building her career around public education, community engagement, and creating meaningful connections between schools, families, and the greater Flagstaff community. Madison brings expertise in strategic communications, marketing and advertising, public relations, graphic design, website and social media management, digital technology and systems, and event coordination. She is passionate about using those skills to elevate STEM opportunities and tell the stories of the students, educators, organizations, and community partners advancing STEM throughout Flagstaff. With her unique perspective, Madison believes effective storytelling can make STEM more visible, accessible, and exciting while inspiring students to explore the many pathways available to them. Outside of her professional and community work, Madison enjoys spending time outdoors, paddleboarding, reading, playing video and board games, traveling, attending music festivals, and spending time with friends and family. She is proud to call Flagstaff home and enjoys contributing to a community that values education, creativity, innovation, and exploration.

​Lane Fisher has had a passion for STEM from a very young age, kindled by his parents, teachers, and friends. This passion persisted through College where he attended NAU, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering at NAU and a Mathematics minor. Shortly after graduation, he got an opportunity to be the plant engineer at Joy Cone. Lane's contributions at Joy Cone have been integral to growing, improving, and streamlining plant operations. After years of working to develop skilled maintenance technicians and skilled workforce generally, his preconceptions of what scientists, technologists and engineers have changed. Lane says he has met more engineers than he can count. They couldn’t have become what they are, or known what they would be, until they were exposed to the technology, processes, and crafts at the factory. As a Father of children with the same passion for STEM, a member of a community small enough to make an impact in, he has recognized his new purpose.

Anne Hamlin started her career in the field of geology where, over a period of 9 years, she earned a master's degree, authored peer-reviewed academic papers, and consulted on environmental pollution investigations including the 2010 BP oil spill. Ms Hamlin then transitioned her career to science education and has incorporated her knowledge of STEM careers and earth sciences into educational opportunities for students across the 4-corners states in a variety of place- and/or project-based learning initiatives. Since 2014, Ms. Hamlin has designed multiple K-16 science curricula, worked as a formal and informal educator, and has provided mentoring, professional development, and/or curriculum training in both formal and informal ed for over 100 educators. Current interests and projects include out-of-school-time learning in planetary science www.planets-stem.org and robotics education www.nau.edu/cstl/robotics/.

As the Director of College & Career Development for FUSD, Tom Safranek works with a variety of stakeholders to build, steward, and expand the career awareness, exploration, and preparation opportunities for students and their families. By doing so, students in FUSD have enhanced access to interest-driven, relevant aspects of education that give meaning and purpose to their journey, and inform their post-secondary choices. Tom has been an educator for more than two decades and has a variety of experiences at both the junior high/middle school and high school levels. After completing an agriculture degree in Plant Science at the University of Arizona and working for a time as an agronomy consultant, he began his career in education teaching 7th grade biology and earth science in Yuma, Arizona. During this time he also taught outdoor education classes for the City of Yuma and earned an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University. When a new high school opened in the area, Tom accepted a position as an agriscience teacher, but also taught biology, welding, construction, and established a robust, award-winning FFA program. Since completing an M.Ed in Educational Leadership and earning his principal certification, Tom has served in assistant principal and principal roles at both the middle and high school levels. Tom enjoys working with his hands, being creative, and taking advantage of the endless opportunities the southwest provides for getting into the outdoors to hunt, fish, hike, and explore.

Dr. Beau Vezino earned his PhD in Teaching and Teacher Education with a concentration in Science Education from the University of Arizona. His primary research interest is integrating engineering into K-12 classrooms. Prior to his doctoral studies, Beau earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in curriculum and instructions, and spent five years as a second-grade teacher in central Phoenix. Beau strives to be a leader in K-12 engineering education. He is committed to the strong preparation of teachers in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), especially in the elementary grades. He has worked to develop courses, curriculum, and pedagogical practices that support teachers with integrating STEM in their classrooms while promoting equity, growth mindset, and productive struggle. Beau loves to adventure in the outdoors and spends most of his free time river rafting, packrafting, snowboarding, backpacking, surfing, canyoneering, and skateboarding. He enjoys listening to science fiction and fantasy audiobooks and playing board/card games with his friends and family.

Joel Feldberg is the Marketing Manager at Kinney, where he leads pursuit strategy and business development for the company's building construction, civil construction, and renewable energy divisions. He began his career with a civil engineering firm in Texas before relocating to Flagstaff with his wife as she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Science at NAU. Through his work in construction and his connection to the university's research community, Joel has developed a strong appreciation for the role STEM education plays in strengthening communities and creating meaningful career opportunities. As a STEM City board member, Joel is passionate about connecting students with the industries, professionals, and career pathways that are shaping northern Arizona's future. He believes people without traditional STEM backgrounds can still advance STEM initiatives and help students see how they can impact their communities. Outside of work, Joel enjoys trail running, cooking, basketball, and going to concerts, and is often training for his next ultramarathon.

Amelinda teaches geology, environmental science, biology, and Colorado Plateau studies as a faculty member at Coconino Community College. She considers herself and "accidental geologist," because her initial major in college was theatre - and she thought geology was boring. Luckily for her, an excellent professor changed the way that she saw the world, and she dived in to studying about ancient life on Earth. Originally from the Midwest, Amelinda's earned graduate degrees in the geosciences on both coasts of the United States and completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the cold north of Canada. After finishing her formal education, she looked for a college where she could work with students who wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to see the world in a new way. Her goal is to pass on the gift of STEM opportunities that her professor opened for me so many years ago. Amelinda loves doing community outreach surrounding STEM, as science is literally and figuratively the bedrock of our civilization. She believes everyone deserves a chance to see the wonder of the natural world. Amelinda has been teaching in northern Arizona since 2018 and relocated to Flagstaff in 2022. As a geologist and nature enthusiast, she feels there are few places better to be!