Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Poorna Prakash. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Poorna, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It started with a tiny golden globe pin on my backpack, a symbol of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 5: Gender Equality. That pin was a constant reminder to me each day of the cracks that persist in STEM—cracks in representation, opportunity, and role models for girls and LGBTQIA+ folks. I couldn’t get away from the feeling that something had to be different.
The realization came gradually, initiated by conversations with friends and individual experiences of observing the lack of diversity in STEM. Far too often, I discovered that the faces behind scientific breakthroughs did not adequately reflect the breadth of talent and capability that existed. The more one read, the more one realized how entrenched these barriers were.
That epiphany occurred when I overheard a young girl wonder if she should become an engineer because she wasn’t sure that she belonged. Her uncertainty mirrored a pattern I had seen before: students doubting that they belonged in STEM simply because they lacked role models who looked like them. That experience stuck, solidifying the magnitude of the issue. I recognized that closing these gaps wasn’t necessarily about generating awareness and making people aware of what existed. It was about generating belief and showing students that they actually did have a place in this field.
This wasn’t a hypothetical issue. It was real, and sitting right in front of me. I knew at that time that bridging this divide wasn’t something we could but should accomplish. The why was simple: when people identify with themselves in a field of study, they feel like they can be a part of it. If there weren’t enough role models in STEM for minority students, then we needed to provide the space.
The energy was drawn from the understanding that this was not one conversation or one try. This was about altering minds and making inclusivity in STEM an aspiration and not a possibility. The golden pin on my backpack was more than a token; it was a reminder that doing the world some good, creating a better world, and a better, more inclusive place, starts with small yet impactful actions. That realization became the starting point for everything that followed.

Poorna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

From an early age, I was fascinated by the power of science and its potential to propel the world toward transformation. With the interest I had in STEM, though, came an increasing awareness of how much more girls and LGBTQIA+ students needed to be included. Seeing it with my own eyes fostered a real passion for closing these gaps and resulted in my focus on advancing opportunity for underrepresented students in STEM. Through my participation in the Global Leaders of Fairfax County program, I have sought to inspire young minds by linking them with role models, offering experiential learning opportunities, and creating a sense of belonging in the scientific community. My efforts are about education and empowerment. I work to help students realize that they belong in STEM no matter their background.

What is different about my work is paying attention to personal connection and representation. It is not just about getting students exposed to STEM, but about making them aware that they can look up to seeing themselves in it. I’m most proud of the moment when a student moves from not having confidence in themselves to having confidence in their curiosity. My dream is to continue breaking boundaries and creating a future where STEM is inclusive and inviting to all. I hope that for any reader of my writing, they will see that change starts with one conversation, one opportunity, and one spark of inspiration. Together, we can create a world in which all budding scientists, engineers, and innovators feel like they belong.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

We had met while working on the Global Leaders of Fairfax County, a forum where young leaders from different Fairfax County high schools gathered under one goal: to make a positive impact in the world. We were all seniors then and were passionate about working on real-world issues, and it was this common passion that brought us together. What brought us together was not merely our passion for leadership but our shared desire to address SDG 5: Gender Equality, but particularly in STEM. From the very beginning, our collaboration was just right. We came from different schools, different backgrounds, and different orientations, but we shared the same vision—breaking barriers and opening doors for underrepresented students in the STEM disciplines. Late-night brainstorming sessions, overcoming logistical challenges, and celebrating small wins as a unit solidified our connection. What initially started as a leadership program evolved into something much bigger: a group fueled by passion, determination, and the belief that positive change starts with us.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the greatest shifts I experienced was when our group realized that merely promoting gender equality in STEM wasn’t enough and that we had to do it directly. At first, we worked on bringing awareness to the issue, but once we observed how many students didn’t have role models and hands-on experience, we realized that we needed to change gears. Instead of just talking about the issue, we began hosting hands-on STEM activities in underserved schools, giving kids a chance to experiment, ask questions, and be represented in the field. It wasn’t easy. But the moment a child grinned when they discovered they were into STEM, we knew we had made the right decision. That transition led our movement from being a conversation to an action, confirming that change is a product of action, not awareness.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcps.genderequality/
• Other: Email: [email protected]