The October Girls STEAM Institute 2025 Global Team Business Challenge is October 3-5, beginning with a public Open House to launch the weekend event in ENGAGE XR on Friday at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET / midnight UK / 8 AM* Hong Kong / 11 AM* Sydney.
The Business Challenge events open to the public on ENGAGE XR are free and begin Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET / 4 PM UK / 12 AM* Hong Kong / 5 AM* Sydney. To access the events, create a free (or paid) ENGAGE XR account and download ENGAGE XR to your computer, laptop, or mobile device or install it through your VR headset. Visit the ENGAGE XR Events list or the event links below to mark ATTEND for each event to receive an email notification. Before the session begins, launch ENGAGE XR on your computer, mobile, device, or VR headset to access the event from the event list.
We are honored to have the following pioneering leaders in XR and business speak to us during the Business Challenge. As the teams will be working on their business proposals, the speakers will be addressing the challenges of women in STEAM and how to support our youth in STEAM education and careers.
Dr. Jane Harrington – MedMicroMaps CEO & Pioneering Medical Educator
Girls STEAM Institute is so excited to announce our first keynote for the October Girls STEAM Institute 2025 Global Team Business Challenge, Dr. Jane Harrington of MedMicroMaps in ENGAGE XR Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET / 4 PM UK / 12 AM* Hong Kong / 5 AM* Sydney.
Dr. Jane Harrington represents the perfect fusion of scientific excellence and entrepreneurial innovation, serving as CEO and Co-founder of MedMicroMaps, a groundbreaking company that transforms microbiology education through virtual reality. Her journey from bench researcher to classroom educator to tech entrepreneur demonstrates the endless possibilities available to young women in STEAM fields.
After spending decades as a respected microbiology and immunology professor at prestigious institutions including Rocky Vista University, St. George’s University, and the University of Medical and Health Sciences, Dr. Harrington recognized that traditional textbook-based learning was failing to engage the next generation of healthcare professionals. This realization sparked her transition from academia to entrepreneurship, where she now leads a team developing an AI-driven XR learning platform that makes complex microbial concepts accessible and engaging for learners of all ages.
Dr. Harrington’s innovative approach to education exemplifies how women can leverage technology to solve real-world problems. Her company’s recent National Science Foundation SBIR Phase I award validates her vision of transforming “supersized microbes out of textbooks and into immersive XR.” Through MedMicroMaps, she has created a color-coded compass system and scientifically accurate 3D microbial models that make learning intuitive and memorable. Her work addresses a critical need in medical education, as hands-on laboratory experiences have become increasingly rare, yet understanding microbiology remains essential for future healthcare professionals. Dr. Harrington’s success story illustrates how women in STEAM can identify gaps in traditional systems and create innovative solutions that benefit entire industries.
The impact of Dr. Harrington’s work extends far beyond the classroom, positioning her as a leader in the AI-XR revolution that is reshaping education globally. Featured in numerous news, web, and podcast sites, her user research reveals that when technology becomes transparent, science becomes truly approachable – students engage with the fascinating world of microbes rather than struggling with complex interfaces. As a “Forever Educator” who transitioned from professor to CEO, she embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that can emerge from academic expertise. Her story demonstrates to young girls that STEAM careers are not linear paths but opportunities for continuous reinvention and impact. Through MedMicroMaps, Dr. Harrington is not just teaching about microbes; she’s inspiring a new generation of learners to embrace science as an exciting, accessible adventure that can lead to meaningful careers making a difference in global health and education.
Dr. Ruth Diaz, VR Community Pioneer & Conflict Resolution Expert
Dr. Ruth Diaz is our next keynote speaker on October 4 in ENGAGE XR at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK / 2 AM* Hong Kong / 5 AM* Sydney.
Dr. Diaz stands as a transformative leader at the intersection of psychology, technology, and social justice, demonstrating how women can harness emerging technologies to create more inclusive and equitable communities. As the founder of Figure It In and V and VR Create|Connect, Dr. Diaz has pioneered the use of Extended Reality (XR) technologies to address complex human challenges, from organizational toxicity to social alienation in virtual spaces. Her groundbreaking Deepen Orient Transform (DOT) model provides actionable frameworks for navigating difficult conversations about privilege and power, making her work essential for building healthier digital communities.
With advanced degrees in clinical psychology and extensive experience in conflict resolution, Dr. Diaz represents the powerful combination of social science expertise and technological innovation that defines modern STEAM leadership. Dr. Diaz’s work in virtual reality community design showcases the profound impact women can have when they bring empathy and inclusion to technology development.
As founder of Bridgemakers, combined with her collaboration with Meta, she has created culturally-focused virtual worlds and her leadership of projects like “The Troll Project” demonstrate how technical skills can be applied to solve pressing social problems. Through her VR consulting agency, she specializes in creating spaces for marginalized communities to find connection and creative outlets, transforming virtual reality from mere entertainment into a tool for social healing and empowerment. Her featured work “Belong” in the Oculus blog exemplifies how thoughtful design can foster genuine human connection in digital spaces, proving that women in STEAM can shape technology to reflect values of compassion and community rather than simply technical achievement.
As co-founder and Core Vision Owner of inPath XR, she guided the development of three distinct subsidiary groups focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in virtual spaces. Her approach to addressing “cancel culture” in VR through community building and empathy demonstrates how women in STEAM can tackle some of society’s most challenging problems using both technical expertise and emotional intelligence. Dr. Diaz’s work proves that STEAM careers are not just about coding or engineering – they’re about understanding human needs and creating technological solutions that make the world more connected, compassionate, and equitable. Her journey from clinical psychologist to VR community designer shows young girls that STEAM fields offer endless opportunities to combine their passions for helping others with cutting-edge technology. Dr. Diaz publishes her social scientist adventures on conflict, connections, and the strange reality of immersive spaces on Ruth’s Substack.
Kristin Gelzinis – Gaming Community Advocate & Social Impact Leader
Kristin Gelzinis join us live in ENGAGE XR at 2 PM PT / 5 PM ET / 10 PM UK / 6 AM* Hong Kong / 9 AM* Sydney on Saturday for a unique perspective on women in tech.
Kristin Gelzinis exemplifies how women can leverage technology and community management expertise to drive positive social change in the rapidly growing gaming and virtual reality industries. As an advocate for inclusive gaming communities and social media strategist, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that digital spaces welcome and support all participants, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Her extensive background spanning over 15 years in Critical Incident Stress Management Emergency Services demonstrates her commitment to helping others navigate challenging situations, skills she has seamlessly transferred to the digital realm. Through her work as TRIPP VR Customer Success manager and her current role as Online Community and Social Media Manager at Vision Bridge, Kristin shows how women can build careers that combine technological proficiency with genuine care for community wellbeing.
Kristin’s professional journey illustrates the diverse pathways available to women in STEAM fields, particularly in the emerging areas of virtual reality and community technology. Her transition from licensed clinical social work to specializing in VR customer success represents the kind of interdisciplinary career evolution that characterizes modern STEAM professionals. At TRIPP, she contributed to building one of the world’s largest live VR meditation communities, helping deliver millions of wellness sessions that demonstrate technology’s potential for positive mental health impact. Her work in prevention education and advocacy for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation further showcases how STEAM professionals can apply their skills to address real health challenges and support communities facing medical difficulties.
Through her advocacy for inclusive gaming communities, Kristin demonstrates how women in STEAM can shape the culture and direction of entire industries. Her focus on driving engagement and positive impact in gaming challenges the stereotype that technology careers are purely technical, showing instead how they require deep understanding of human psychology, community dynamics, and social responsibility.
Her recent certifications in AI-powered product management and generative AI prompt engineering illustrate the continuous learning mindset essential for STEAM success. Kristin’s career path from emergency services to clinical social work to VR community management proves to young girls that STEAM fields welcome diverse backgrounds and experiences, and that technology careers can be vehicles for creating positive social change, building supportive communities, and helping others thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Dr. Louise Edwards – Groundbreaking Astrophysicist & Academic Leader
Louise Edwards redefines herself regularly as a scientist, Learning Architect, XR Designer, and world explorer. She will be the last speaker on Saturday, October 4, in ENGAGE XR at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET / 11 PM UK / 7 AM* Hong Kong / 10 AM* Sydney.
Dr. Louise Edwards is a multidisciplinary scientist, educator, and immersive technology developer from Canada with a passion for empowering learners of all ages to engage meaningfully with the world around them. With a foundational background in Earth sciences from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Geology/Earth Science from the University of Melbourne, she seamlessly blends her scientific expertise with innovative curriculum design and virtual reality experiences. Louise has worked as a geoscientist, environmental consultant, and immersive learning specialist, and she has led experimental research, education, and training initiatives across K-12, post-secondary, and corporate sectors.
Currently, Dr. Edwards is the President, Learning Architect, and VR Developer at DredwardsVR Consulting Inc, where she collaborates with educational institutions to create authentic, learner-centered curricula and immersive learning experiences in VR tailored to K-12 and post-secondary education. She also serves as Director of Immersive Learning for The Seabirds, helping design expedition-based education enhanced by technology, and co-founded Three Otters Media, a studio dedicated to fostering connections to nature through digital worlds and innovative VR games, including Renais, an interactive VR experience that takes the user by elevator down to the center of the earth. Her work in developing immersive simulations has garnered recognition, including being a finalist in the UN’s Metaverse for the SDGs competition.
Louise’s dedication to teaching and outreach is evident in her roles as an instructor at Edstutia and a consultant at Bow Valley College, where she drove competency-based education and curriculum development. She is certified as an XR Developer in Unity and holds teaching certificates in Alberta and Manitoba, reflecting her commitment to education and technology integration.
Fluent in English, with proficiency in French and Spanish, Louise has become a prominent advocate for inquiry-driven, immersive education, presenting internationally at conferences and collaborating to re-imagine the future of learning and work in the 21st century.
Sunday, October 5, Diane McClelland and Angelina Rinehart
The October Girls STEAM Institute 2025 Global Team Business Challenge opens on Sunday, October 5, with an hour social in ENGAGE XR at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM UK / 5 AM* Hong Kong / 8 AM* Sydney, followed by a keynote with GSI Co-Founder, Diane McClelland, and board member, Dr. Angelina Rinehart, also known as the VR Lady.
Afterwards, the student teams will be presenting their business proposals to solve mental health challenges with mobile and/or XR apps, followed by the awards ceremony.
Diane McClelland is the recent recipient of the Top Co-Founder and CEO for Non-Profits Award by IAOTP and in the 2025 MArquis Who’s Who in America. She and her twin sister founded Girls STEAM Institute in 2018 as part of their ongoing work to support young women in entrepreneurship and leadership. As a pioneer for women in sports and education, Diane was a Presidential Appointee under the Clinton Administration to serve as the Vice Chair of the SBA National Advisory Council and served on the Oregon Governor’s Small Business Council. She has won numerous awards for her innovation and leadership. Her book about her work in leadership and entrepreneurship as a twin will be released soon.
Dr. Angelina Rinehart, widely known as the VR Lady, is a leader on the Girls STEAM Institute Board and Executive Director of the Rinehart Foundation. She is the former Executive Director of the Virtual World Society and an Aspen Institute Tech Policy Fellow, specializing in deploying XR and AI technologies for mass adoption in complex, under-resourced environments. With an academic background in anthropology and education from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and MIT, she has worked hands-on with over 50,000 first-time VR users—including educators, students, and indigenous communities—building XR- and AI-skilled workforce through innovative curriculum development and training programs. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Women of the Future, Dr. Rinehart is an influential speaker, consultant, and anthropological researcher committed to bridging the digital divide and fostering equitable access to immersive technologies worldwide.
Join us for the GSI Gobal Team Business Challenge
Come join us for the free sessions during the October Girls STEAM Institute 2025 Global Team Business Challenge October 3-5 in ENGAGE XR beginning with a public Open House to launch the weekend event in ENGAGE XR on Friday at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET / midnight UK / 8 AM* Hong Kong / 11 AM* Sydney.
The speakers sessions begin Saturday, October 4, in ENGAGE XR at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET / 4 PM UK / 12 AM* Hong Kong / 5 AM* Sydney and continue throughout the day.
Sunday, starting with a social networking hour at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM UK / 5 AM* Hong Kong / 8 AM* Sydney, join us for the live presentations of the GSI Business Challenge teams as they propose solutions for mental health with mobile and XR apps, and the award ceremony afterward.
We are so excited to have you meet these amazing speakers and learn their life lessons to encourage girls in STEAM. Consider joining us to become more involved in supporting future leaders and entrepreneurs.
