Rise Up Academics
Join us for Her
STEAMJourney...
a dynamic leadership conference designed to inspire and empower the next generation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
Hear from trailblazing women who have forged their own paths, overcome challenges, and made an impact in their fields.
Whether you’re exploring your future or ready to take the next step, this event will ignite your passion, expand your network, and equip you with the tools to lead in STEAM. Your journey starts here!
Learn more about our speakers for 2025!
Joining us from several industries, we have some dynamic talent ready to share their journey with you! (We will also have other leaders in the crowd!!)
Alex Lisa
US Bank
Alexandra Lisa is a cybersecurity process improvement analyst at U.S. Bank, working in Workforce Development and Community Engagement. She is a 2023 graduate of Northern Kentucky University, where she received her Bachelor’s in cybersecurity. She has spent 3 years in the cyber workforce, and outside of the workforce she has conducted research on AI and served in such leadership roles as President of NKU’s Women In Cybersecurity Chapter and VP of the Ambassadors for the College of Informatics. Nothing makes her happier than the opportunity to support young aspiring professionals who have an interest in the cyber world. In her free time, she enjoys picking up new crafts and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Charity Yelton Pugh
Human Resources Professional
Charity Yelton Pugh is a Human Resources Professional at Humana and serves as Vice President of the Women’s Network Resource Group, leading strategic planning and programming for over 10,000 members. A former educator with a personal mission to connect people with the resources they need to live well, she holds professional certificates in social and behavioral research, trauma resilience, and
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Charity has a Ph.D. in Education and Social Change, a Master of Arts in
Teaching, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Philosophy minor. Her research study From Surviving to Thriving: Trauma-Informed Models for Survivors of Human Trafficking is in print and will be published this summer. She is a graduate of Louisville Metro Office for Women Ambassadors, Leadership Louisville’s Leadership Accelerator, and Bridging the Gap KY transformative leadership program. Charity chairs the Prevention committee of Kentucky’s Human Trafficking Task Force and supports strategy development for the Young Professionals Association of Louisville. She lives in Louisville with her husband Ian and their dog Hemingway, a “foster fail” from MisPits & Friends rescue. They enjoy hiking at Red River Gorge, visiting local coffee shops, and attempting to maintain their vegetable and herb garden.
Beth Wietlisbach
Product Manager
I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. Continuing my educational journey, I’ve obtained a Technology Leadership Certificate, Project Management Certificate, Product Management Certificate and Change Management Certificate at eCornell University and am a current student in the Human Resources Essentials Certificate Program. During my 15-year tenure at Humana I’ve held various roles including pharmacy and clinical IT support, software testing, project management, vendor management, people leadership, and provider engagement. Being an avid learner, in 2019 I graduated from Humana’s Technology Degree program. Throughout my tenure, I’ve been the recipient of six awards for strong leadership, quality improvement, and project wins. Serving 37 counties in the state of Ohio as a Provider Engagement Executive for the Medicaid line of business, additional to my role, I serve at the project manager for Humana’s Women’s Network Resource Group. Knowing the struggles of making ends meet, I enjoy giving back to my community. I volunteer regularly at food and diaper banks, natural disaster relief organizations, and foster care centers.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Family vacations to the beach and lake are our most cherished moments. Being active is a passion of mine. I spend hours in the gym each week and compete in obstacle course races every summer.
Kellie M. Burke
Diverse Strategy Advancement Talent Lead
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Lead
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Workforce & Culture
Kellie oversees the creation, implementation, and ensures sustainability of a diverse talent pathway focused on the Military-Connected Talent Pathway, Persons With Disabilities Talent Pathway, and other diverse talent pathway communities. She resides in Northern Kentucky on a hobby fiber farm with her husband and 3 children.
Kellie is a master’s prepared social worker with an MBA who is seeking a doctorate in Social Work from the University of Louisville’s and is an associate Professional with HRCI. Kellie is recognized as a high potential, innovative organizational thought leader with experience impacting business results and culture through strategic use of collaboration, impactful conversations, and timely intervention. She is experienced in managing large scale program initiatives driving business results. Kellie also has experience in program development, strategic planning, therapy services, community outreach, and advocacy.
Kellie has designed CE accredited learnings surrounding trauma-informed leadership, has published trauma informed leadership articles with CMSA, and has brought prior developed learnings on effective leadership practices, vicarious trauma, and psychological safety to the enterprise. Kellie is dedicated to championing culture and is impassioned to create an enterprise characterized by psychological safety by developing our next generation of trauma-informed business leaders.
Special THANKS to our SPONSORS
