Beyond the Pipeline
Redefining Value, Success, and the Future of Women in STEMM—Together
Beyond the Pipeline dismantles the outdated myth that women in STEMM simply “leak” from the system. Instead, this powerful collection explores the systemic pressures that drive talented women to confront the question: Do I stay, or do I go?
Released: August 12, 2025
Available in paperback and ebook editions at Amazon, IngramSpark, and Bookshop.org. Ask for it at your favorite independent book store!
ISBN 979-8-9887205-3-9 (paperback)ISBN 979-8-9887205-4-6 (ebook)Library of Congress Control Number: 2025904355Cover design and illustrations by Anna Korlath, korlath.at. 
“Reading Beyond the Pipeline felt like someone finally put words to what so many of us have lived.”
– Kara Branch, Chemical Engineer, Founder and CEO, Black Girls Do Engineer
Beyond the Pipeline has been crafted by a diverse, highly collaborative cross-section of women and allies from around the world, all willing to share their stories so you can see a broader range of what STEMM might be for you.
Meet the Authors
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Engineer, coach, speaker, author, and mom of three helping you thrive through all things life and labor. Follow along for laughs and connection.
www.lifenlabor.com | LinkedIn: karliauble | Instagram: @LifenLabor
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Emily is an award-winning biomedical engineer turned embodiment coach and mentor, guiding purpose-driven women to create success that honours both their ambition and motherhood. Connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.
www.emilylynnbishop.com | LinkedIn: emily-lynn-bishop
Instagram: @emilylynnbishop | Emilylynnbishop@gmail.com
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Advocate, writer, educator, and immunologist, Jess is an equity crusader in STEMM academia. Reach out at LinkedIn.
LinkedIn: jessica-borger | jess.borger@gmail.com
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An engineer & mom with a passion for pets, people, and our planet. She enjoys experiencing other cultures, especially food and the farming practices that bring it to the table and encourages others to do the same.
LinkedIn: rachael-browning | browningra@gmail.com
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Engineer and mom of two boys who thrives on efficiency, problem-solving, humor and giving 110%. Enjoys the outdoors, photography, sports, volunteering, puzzles and non-fiction. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn: jennifergchristensen | jenuwbadger@hotmail.com
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Jaymi loves working with research teams to facilitate the design of strategic and impact-focused initiatives. To connect or learn more, please visit her website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
www.cormierinc.ca | LinkedIn: jaymi-cormier-phd-beng-curious-and-daring-explorer
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Jane is a #recoveringacademic who approaches the world with an insatiable appetite for learning and a quiet urgency to make things better.
www. innovarastrategicimpact.ca | LinkedIn: janedesrochers
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Belinda is a recovering academic, mum, and founder of BD Stemm Strategies - helping STEMM professionals ditch burnout and design careers that work for real life.
www.bdstemmstrategies.com | LinkedIn: belinda-di-bartolo
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Mechanical engineer that is constantly reinventing himself through career pivots. Happily married, proud boy-dad / girl dad of 2. HeForSWE Co-lead and supporter of all in the workplace.
LinkedIn: trevor-channing-george | trevorchanninggeorge@gmail.com
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Dr. Manpreet Kaur is an experienced leader with degrees in Engineering and HCI. As part of the sandwich generation, she strives to balance life while leading a global team. She thrives on her love of family, work, travel and volunteering.
LinkedIn: kaurm | kaur.manpreet@gmail.com
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Writer and engineer passionate about equity, equality, and diversity. Connect on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn: taiskraljevic | tais.kraljevic@gmail.com
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Bestselling author of STEM Moms, executive coach, and speaker who transforms teams through powerful storytelling, strategic insight, and inclusive leadership. Partner with Cassie to spark meaningful growth and lasting change.
www.ELMMcoaching.com | LinkedIn: cassie-leonard
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Executive, servant leader, people developer, advocate for gender equity and animal rights.
LinkedIn: monikamcdolerussell | monika.russell@gmail.com
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Laura Marie is a seasoned nonprofit leader and proud mother of four. She works in the Arts, Education, and Advocacy, to champion equity, creativity, and community voice. And she enjoys writing for her local newspaper in Seattle.
intuitionship.com | LinkedIn: laura-marie-rivera-intuitionship
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San Diego, CA based electrical engineer with 19 years of experience in aviation, subsea sensor systems, and manufacturing. Ambivalent about career advancement. Happily married with two spirited boys. Enjoys the beach, making stuff, and Viking revelry.
www.kellysv.com | LinkedIn: kellysv
Instagram: @kellyhappening | BlueSky: @kellysv
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Mindy is an accomplished leader in the aviation industry, holding a degree in Mathematics and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her greatest lessons in leadership and heart have come from raising her four children.
intuitionship.com | LinkedIn: mindy-ursino | mindyursino@gmail.com
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Megan is an engineering leader and proud mom of two who champions mental wellness, neurodiversity, and human-centered leadership in STEMM. Her mission is to help build workplaces where all minds are supported, while inspiring the next generation to imagine a future in STEMM where everyone belongs.
LinkedIn: megan-wendell-pmp
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Chemical engineer, boy mom of two, runner, tailgating enthusiast, and passionate advocate for empowering the next generation of women in STEMM.
LinkedIn: ashleycwynne | Ashleycwynne@gmail.com
“This book is a game-changer for women in STEMM and the allies championing progress.”
– Kerrie L. Greenfelder, PE, FY26 President-Elect, Society of Women Engineers
About Beyond the Pipeline
Women don’t quit. We pivot.
Most women leave STEMM mid-career—not for lack of talent or ambition, but because the system wasn’t built for them.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between loving your work and wondering whether you can stay…
You are not alone.
Beyond the Pipeline brings the choices women make every day to center stage, acknowledging the challenges and illuminating the path forward:
Burnout—and the energy that can follow when boundaries are reclaimed.
Imposter syndrome—and the clarity that comes with knowing your worth.
Caregiving pressures—and how to design careers ready to flex and adapt.
Broken rungs and glass cliffs—and the undeniable value of time and support.
Under-acknowledged transitions—from mental health to perimenopause.
These are the stories behind the statistics, paired with thoughtful research and bold solutions for redesigning STEMM into a system where all can thrive.
Whether you're building your own future, advocating for others, or leading change—this book will shift how you think about talent, equity, and what’s possible.
“If we are to achieve lasting and effective change, we need to draw together many voices with lived experience.”
– Dr Shane Huntington OAM, CEO of the Australian Society for Medical Research
A Look Inside
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The Traditional Leaky Pipeline Metaphor. Introduction
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Attrition Survey Results, n = 55. Introduction
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Collaborative Team Demographics. Introduction
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![A dynamic new metaphor (Chapter 1 - Shattering the Pipeline)]()
A dynamic new metaphor. Chapter 1 - Shattering the Pipeline
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Cognitive Behavior Theory. Chapter 5 - From Surviving the Thriving
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Box Breath. Chapter 5 - From Surviving to Thriving
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Cover and Illustrations by Anna Korlath
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The Motherhood Advantage. Chapter 9 - Navigating Motherhood Alongside Career
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Mother-Leader Intuitionship
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Scissor Graph Influences. Chapter 12 - Academia
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Outdated Leadership Ideals and their intersections with gendered stereotypes. Chapter 15 - Glass Ceilings & Cliffs
Media Kit: Beyond the Pipeline
Lead author/editor headshot - Cassie Leonard
contact info@elmm.press for individual headshots
Book description and author bios (with SM handles)
Hashtag: #beyondthepipelinebook
Beyond the Pipeline the Media
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) DIVERSE Podcast, Ep 323: Beyond the Leaky Pipeline With Cassie Leonard and Ashley Wynne
“As a woman in STEMM, Beyond the Pipeline deeply resonated with me.”
– Dayna Johnson, Engineer, FY23 President, Society of Women Engineers
Show your Beyond the Pipeline Pride!
Shop the current selection, or submit a request for the exact merch of your dreams with any of the illustrations from the book!
This play on a Rubiks Cube is a dynamic reimagining of the leaky pipeline metaphor: icebergs, mazes, sticky floors, explosive forces, complex systems, and gardens worth tending...
Artwork by Anna Korlath, www.korlath.at. Check out Chapter 1 - Shattering the Pipeline to learn more!
The Unisex organic sweatshirt is made of organic and recycled materials, and feels soft and cozy to the touch. It has set-in sleeves, 2×2 rib at collar, and a self-fabric neck tape. Order your next eco-friendly essential and hit the streets in style!
• 80% organic cotton, 20% recycled polyester
• 100% organic cotton exterior
• Frenchy terry knit
• Set-in sleeves
• 2×2 rib at collar
• Self-fabric neck tape
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh
Disclaimer: US customers should order a size up as the EU sizes for this supplier correspond to a smaller size in the US market.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the EU REACH requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Oak inc. and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at gpsr@sindenventures.com. You can also write to us at 123 Main Street, Anytown, Country or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.
“As a queer, femme, neurodivergent scientist, this book made me feel seen AND armed.”
– Ashley Ruba, PhD, Founder of After Academia
More About Beyond the Pipeline
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by Cassie Leonard, Where Our Stories Take Shape
Mental Wellness Moment, by Megan Wendell, An Introduction
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1. Shattering the Pipeline, by Jane Desrocher, Imagining a More Meaningful Metaphor
2. Values and Choice, by Cassie Leonard, Pursuing Fulfillment on Our Own Terms
3. Inlet Forces, by Jane Desrochers, On Pushing and Pulling Women & Girls into STEMM
4. Ideal Worker vs. Ideal Parent, by Emily L. Bishop, The High Cost of Competing Identities
Mental Wellness Moment, by Kelly A. Seiler Vocke, The Weight of Over-Responsibility
5. From Surviving to Thriving, by Karli M. Auble, Thoughts, Habits, Relationships, Instincts, Values, and Environments
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6. Burnout, by Belinda A. Di Bartolo, Reimagining STEMM as a Sustainable Space
7. Imposter Syndrome, by Ashley C. Wynne, Examining How Systemic Barriers Erode Confidence and Career Progression
Mental Wellness Moment, by Megan Wendell, Panic Attacks in the Office
8. A Labyrinth of Identities, by Manpreet Kaur, Women in STEMM and Their Intersectional Paths
Mental Wellness Moment, by Megan Wendell, The Importance of a Diagnosis
9. Navigating Motherhood Alongside Career, by Emily L. Bishop, Thriving—One Bold Mother at a Time
Mother-Leader Intuitionship, by Laura Marie Rivera and Mindy Ursino, A New Leadership Model
10. Stay-at-Home Parents, Jennifer G. Christensen, Stepping Out of and Returning to the STEMM Workforce
Mental Wellness Moment, by Anonymous, Troubleshooting Complex Systems
11. Charting Your Own Course, by Jaymi T. Cormier, Navigating Beyond Traditional STEMM Roles
12. Academia, by Jessica G. Borger,
13. Rise and Shine, by Monika McDole-Russell, A Woman’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Corporate STEMM
14. Pressured Out of Technical, by Kelly A. Seiler Vocke, “She Can Talk to People?!”
Mental Wellness Moment, by Megan Wendell, Reframing
15. Glass Ceilings & Cliffs, by Kelly A. Seiler Vocke, “She’s… Just Not Leadership Material”
16. Menopause & Perimenopause, by Cassie Leonard, Breaking the 'Meno-Maze' Taboo in the STEMM Workplace
17. International Experiences, by Rachael Browning, An Enriching Mid-Career Change of Scenery That Can Help Women Stay on the STEMM Path
International Perspective, by Sanchari Banerjee, Finding Confidence Abroad
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18. Redefining Success, by Belinda A. Di Bartolo, Beyond the Pipeline Mentality
Mental Wellness Moment, by Megan Wendell, Spoon Theory
19. A Workplace Field Guide, by Tais S. Kraljević, Navigating the Good, Bad, and Ugly in STEMM
20. Advocacy, by Jessica G. Borger, Collective Advocacy to Combat the Glass Cliff
21. Allies, by Trevor C. George, Building Trust, Sharing Power, Creating Change
Mental Wellness Moment, by Megan Wendell, Empathetic Allyship
22. The Business Case for DEI, by Ashley C. Wynne, How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Create Better Outcomes for Everyone
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by Cassie Leonard, How Will We Choose to Move Forward?
“I felt a deep sense of relief reading Beyond the Pipeline.”
– Dr Melina Georgousakis, Founding Director, Franklin Women
From the Editor
When I first imagined a collaborative book exploring why women stay, or don’t, in STEMM careers, it felt like a pipe dream. Who would have the time, energy, or capacity to join a project like this, especially when the very people I hoped to reach were the ones already stretched thin?
But I put the call out anyway. Within minutes, the first reply landed in my inbox (thank you, Karli Auble!). Within days, we had a powerful, global team of authors and collaborators—brilliant humans working high-stakes jobs, raising families, leading teams, and still choosing to show up for this project.
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That willingness, that fierce commitment to honest storytelling and collective change, is what made Beyond the Pipeline possible.
We set out to challenge the narrow, outdated story that women “leak” from the pipeline. The truth is far more complex and far more human. The stories in this book reveal systemic barriers, yes, but also courage, joy, burnout, reinvention, and belonging. Our aim wasn’t to offer a single solution, but a tapestry of insights, experiences, and tools to help reimagine success in STEMM on our own terms.
Whether you're reading as a woman in STEMM, an ally, a policymaker, or a curious colleague, we’re glad you're here. We hope you’ll find validation, challenge, and inspiration.
This project reminded me that there is power in asking the big questions, and even more in asking them together.
Sincerely,
Cassie Leonard
Editor, Beyond the Pipeline
