Tech Parks Arizona

Jacquie Burrell - Executive Assistant - RTX I am a woman of empathy and flexibility. Shaped by the mentorship of Marilyn James from the Fullerton Raytheon Site, who guided me early in my career. Her encouragement to embrace my strengths while continuously growing inspired me to approach challenges with resilience and adaptability. Women often bring a unique, holistic perspective to problem-solving, and I strive to embody that. For me, success is measured by the calm and proactive energy I bring to every situation, allowing others to focus on their work, confident that I have their back. Observant and intuitive, I possess a unique ability to see beyond words and actions, uncovering the unspoken needs of others. My approach is rooted in working from the inside out—addressing core issues to build meaningful and lasting solutions. This goes beyond observation; I connect deeply with people, understanding their challenges as if walking in their shoes. My emotional intelligence allows me to provide the right support, encouragement, or resources at precisely the right time, bridging gaps and removing roadblocks to foster growth. I thrive on learning people’s stories, uncovering their motivations, and understanding what drives them. This insight enables me to adapt my approach to each person, fostering trust and synergy that leads to success. Flexibility and strategy complement my intuition. Once I grasp the background and scope of a challenge, I envision a clear path forward. I meticulously plan, blending foresight with attention to detail, weaving tasks into well-structured schedules while remaining adaptable to change. My ability to balance the big picture with finer details ensures seamless execution and alignment with broader goals. For me, everything is interconnected. Emotional intelligence fuels my proactive mindset, and together they drive meaningful transformation. I don’t just manage tasks or solve problems—I create harmony, building solutions from the inside out that resonate on personal and professional levels. My story is one of connection, intuition, and adaptability—a true planner who brings people and projects together with purpose and grace.

Devon Underwood - Subject Matter Expert - University of Arizona Center for Innovation I am a woman of curiosity who is continuously learning. I am endlessly interested in how people come together to get things done, the ways teams can organize themselves, and how we can create environments that bring out the best in everyone. Success, to me, is about impact—big or small—while shaping a life on my own terms. My career in Recruiting and Talent Strategy began at a national firm after graduating from the University of Arizona. For 12 years, I specialized in healthcare, building an Executive Search and Permanent Placement division for a national healthcare consulting firm. From there, I guided talent strategies for two companies navigating rapid M&A growth. Now, through my practice, The Talent Store, and my work at UACI, I combine my expertise in recruiting, employer branding, and growth to help organizations build high-performing teams. I’m a business geek at heart, and I thrive on learning about organizations—whether tech startups, growing businesses, or non-profits—and applying creative strategies to help them succeed. The future of STEM and technology will be shaped by data, AI, FinTech, and sustainable engineering—fields still largely male-dominated. Women face barriers not just to entry but also to having their voices valued. I’m committed to shifting how leadership and expertise are defined, ensuring roles are based on success factors, not historical norms, and vetting talent without bias. By helping leaders cultivate intentional cultures centered on alignment, connection, feedback, and diverse perspectives, I aim to create workplaces where individuals focus on meaningful work—not fitting in. When we show up authentically, we thrive, contribute, and drive lasting impact.

Renée Macfarland Bidegain - Creative Director - KITSHIP I am a woman of curiosity, creativity, and vision. With a deep thirst for knowledge, I am always eager to learn, grow, and understand the world around me. I see infinite possibilities, preferring to view life not as it is, but as it could be. Emotional, passion-driven, and full of ideas, I combine a vivid imagination with a desire for practical solutions. I embrace challenges as opportunities to expand my perspective, forge meaningful connections, and push boundaries. Charismatic and expressive, I love sharing ideas and creating communities around shared values and ideals. My greatest gift is seeing the spark of potential in everything and everyone—and inspiring others to see it, too. Resilient and adaptable, I balance introspection with action, striving to make a positive impact every day. Though my strength lies in envisioning what could be, I know that true power comes from turning dreams into reality through consistent, focused effort.

Jessica Burns Stewart - Program Management Lead - Citi I am a woman of worth. It took me years to believe in my value. I’ve always been immensely hard on myself – no matter if I did something well, I would hyper focused on what I could have done better. It wasn’t until I became a mother and thought about how I wanted my daughter to value herself that it forced me to change the way I think. I started to walk the walk. To be a strong, confident woman in this world, I had to shift my perspective. I learned to focus on what I had accomplished rather than what I hadn’t. I reframed my mindset and began to truly appreciate the progress I was making. This is a journey, continuously re-evaluating and improving, and bringing others on my journey. Helping them not be hard on themselves, I’ve always been the biggest advocate for others. I go out of my way to lend a hand, share knowledge, and be their loudest cheerleader. In many ways, I show up for others in the way I wish I had always shown up for myself. What I love most about working with people is helping them see their own value—beyond productivity or titles. I see the person, not just their profession, and that’s what truly feeds my soul in this business. This journey is about continuously moving forward, striving to do better, and bringing others along with me. I aim to help them to be kinder to themselves, and I’ve always been their biggest advocate.

Incredible impact! Tech Parks Arizona celebrates the University of Arizona Center for Innovation's latest economic impact study! ?? With $664.8M in economic impact, 886 jobs created, and $19.1M in tax revenue, UACI continues to drive innovation and economic growth. From life sciences to climate technology to AI, UACI has supported 300+ startups! Cheers to UACI for fueling the future! ?? Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/eJPZhbpp

Jennifer Diaz - Administrative Assistant - Steward Observatory I am a woman of Integrity; I value fairness and seek to lead by example. I’ve always been interested in a business career. When a position opened (science and telescope) at the University of Arizona, I jumped at the opportunity, especially in STEM. I get my work ethic from my parents who worked hard both in the military, which has been a motivation for me and made me who I am today. The challenge I have had to overcome is to completely hold myself accountable. I have supported my children’s wellbeing and have ensured they receive a good education in the absence of their father. The most influential person was my little sister, she was the first person to attend college and complete her master's. She has always pushed me to better myself. As a professional, I describe myself as a hard-working and driven individual who isn't afraid to face a challenge, I have always been committed to continuously learning and improving my skills. As a leader I believe communication and motivation are key, you can really build a strong relationship when you put these two together. My biggest accomplishment was being able to implement a new idea and a better system in the world of digital operations and see the impact it made. I see success when I complete the goals, I set for myself as well as making a positive impact on others.

Jenny Taubert - COO - Micro-Hybrid Electronic I am a woman of action. I am someone who prefers to take concrete steps and actively pursue goals rather than just talking or planning about them; I am proactive and readily engage in making things happen. I was shaped by the values that my parents instilled in me, as a fierce empathetic woman. They raised me in an inclusive environment without labels or gender differentiation. I was a tinker and a curious girl. My parents, both engineers, encouraged and supported my curiosity and celebrated my decision to become an engineer. As a woman in engineering and business I listen and understand the needs and perspectives of others. I prioritize teamwork and inclusivity. I believe in the power of teams and leveraging everyone's expertise and talents. I'm completely comfortable not being the expert in the room, and I rather seek advice of experts in different fields. My response to conscious or unconscious biases that exist everywhere is to keep my head tall and to use my voice when necessary. I learned to choose my fights and to see challenges as opportunities to grow. There is huge support outside that wants to create a more egalitarian and inclusive society. People that help to eliminate labels while respecting all human beings for what they are, humans.

Carla Ruhl - Product Application Engineer - IBM I am a woman who is devoted. In both my personal and professional life, I am deeply passionate about helping others. My faith in God, my cherished husband, and my family are the foundation of my life. Mathematics has always been a source of joy for me—whether in quilting, solving logic puzzles, or tackling technical challenges. Tucson is my home, and I’m proud to be a lifelong Wildcat. As a University of Arizona student, I played in the marching band and pep band, and I’ve spent my life cheering on the Wildcats. My path to an engineering career was not linear—it was filled with twists and turns. I began by declaring engineering, then switched to an undergraduate degree in education, teaching high school and community college mathematics. Later, I earned a graduate degree in computer science. This journey ultimately brought me full circle, allowing me to meld the influences of my parents’ careers and my two degrees into becoming a successful technical leader and people manager. I strive to lead by example, never asking others to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Reflecting on my life and careers, I find immense joy in mentoring and guiding others. Watching students, employees, peers, interns, and friends grow and celebrating their achievements is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life. To those who have influenced and supported me along the way, I am profoundly grateful. My parents’ encouragement, my sister’s inspiration, the challenges posed by my math and computer science teachers, and my husband’s unwavering support have all been instrumental in shaping the person I am today.

Lesley Chermside - Lead Systems Engineer - Raytheon I am a woman of intention. I have a natural aptitude for STEM subjects and chose to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I was lucky to work with strong women early in my career and I learned by example that the women who were technical leaders were active participants in their careers. I actively seek out opportunities to learn and grow in both my professional and personal lives. Women are natural team builders and collaborators, and I intentionally incorporate those traits with my technical expertise to help my projects succeed. I understand the big picture of projects I work on and quickly assimilate new information. I am frequently the only woman in the room, and I am conscious of the impact I have in paving the way for more women to be technical leaders within my company and in the defense industry.

IBM has long been at the forefront of innovation, and we’re proud to have them as part of the Tech Parks Arizona ecosystem! As home to an IBM site, we recognize the impact of their work and their commitment to advancing technology. At #SXSW2025, CEO Arvind Krishna emphasized the transformative power of AI and quantum computing in shaping the future. ???? These technologies are driving new opportunities across industries, and we’re excited to be part of an ecosystem that fuels progress. We’re committed to fostering the next wave of innovation—right here in Arizona, alongside tech giants like IBM! ????