STEM Boomerang was established to address New Mexico's 'Brain Drain' challenge by connecting talented professionals with diverse STEM job opportunities across New Mexico.
Our Mission
We were founded to address the state's STEM talent drain by connecting students and professionals with meaningful career opportunities in high opporutniites industries such as aerospace, national defense, engineering, life sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and more!
Through career development resources and increased visibility of local employers — especially in specialized tech and startups — we’re building a stronger, more connected STEM workforce across New Mexico.
Career Connection Events
Since 2017, STEM Boomerang has aimed to help STEM professionals make connections to discover career opportunities in every sector of New Mexico’s economy.
Our first event was in December, 2017 on UNM’s main campus. Over 115 STEM professionals & students met with recruiters from 30 companies and learned the topography of New Mexico innovation and entrepreneurship over a 2-day immersive event. Read more HERE
Since then, we have hosted numerous events garnering attendance from over 1000 professionals and over 100 NM employers!
This warm handshake has led to helping hundreds of professionals (and counting!!!) find great careers in New Mexico, where they will be part of the leadership and economic development for our future.
Our Founding Members
MONICA SANDOVAL-JOHNSON
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Dr. Monica Sandoval-Johnson received her B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from UNM, a PhD from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and did post doctoral research at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. STEM Boomerang is incredibly lucky to have Monica on the team. She has a passion for understanding the challenges and finding solutions to workforce development needs. Connect with Monica on LinkedIn
(photo: Hallee Nguyen – Matchbox marketing)
MAGGIE WERNER-WASHBURNE
STEM BOOMERANG FOUNDER
Dr. Maggie Werner-Washburne received a B.A. in English from Stanford, traveled in the Americas and Polynesia for 5 years, and received an MS from U Hawaii and PhD and post doctoral experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research at UNM was in yeast genomics.
Maggie is an AAAS Fellow and received two US Presidential awards for research and excellence in STEM mentoring, and AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award.
New Mexico's economic future depends on retaining innovative leaders and inclusive builders to grow the STEM ecosystems.