Erika Jefferson _ e.047

Lab Rats to Unicorns

Erika Jefferson stands at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and advocacy in the STEM world. She is the President and Founder of Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE), an initiative born out of the need to bridge the leadership gap for Black women in STEM fields. Erika's academic foundation, with a BS in Chemical Engineering from LSU and an MBA from Georgia Tech, set the stage for a career that spanned various roles and cities. Having worked at industry-leading companies like Amoco, BP, Chevron, and Praxair, Erika's roles have ranged from sales and business development to supply chain and operational functions. Her professional journey, taking her to locales from Chicago to Houston, echoes her adaptability and breadth of experience. Through BWISE, Erika channels her insights and experiences to support and uplift Black women in STEM, addressing both the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead.