STEM Forward to Honor STEM Outreach and Engineering Excellence at the 72nd Annual Celebration of STEM Event

MILWAUKEE–STEM Forward is pleased to recognize Generac as the 2025 Spirit of STEM recipient, Dr. Brooke Mayer as the 2024 Engineer of the Year, and Alexandria Motl as the 2024 Young Engineer of the Year. The winners will be honored at the 72nd Annual Celebration of STEM on Tuesday, February 6, 2025, from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Brookfield Conference Center.

This year’s keynote speaker is Mike Denman, Global Business Manager at Microsoft. Mike will discuss the latest technologies, including Business Transformation, and how Generative AI will affect it. As a leader in the industry, Mike will share Microsoft’s insights and explain what they are hearing from their clients. Attendees will be educated and inspired by Mike’s thoughts on leading-edge technology, its effect on businesses, and Microsoft’s continued investment in our region.

Dr. Brooke Mayer is a Professor in Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Marquette University.  Dr. Mayer is a local educator, researcher, and thought leader. Mayer currently leads a $4.2m project focused on developing sustainable technologies to protect the environment and provide clean drinking water. She teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, mentors student researchers, serves as her department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and recently co-led a group of faculty focused on exploring new, innovative teaching methods. Mayer has also served as a faculty coach in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), focusing on developing students’ entrepreneurial mindset and preparing them to be curious, make connections, and focus on creating value as rising research leaders. Outside of the classroom and her lab, Mayer regularly supports students involved with Engineers Without Borders, frequently traveling to Guatemala to support their project implementations and to serve as a mentor. Mayer has also served as a faculty advisor and advocate for Marquette’s chapter for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), supporting SWE’s mission to empower women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life.

Alexandria (Alex) Motl is the Practice Team Leader of traffic at GRAEF. Alex has made significant contributions to the engineering profession through her expertise, leadership, and advocacy for innovation in transportation engineering. In her current role, she brings a deep understanding of transportation systems and traffic engineering to every project she undertakes. Her work on the Brady Street Pedestrian Safety Study and other high-profile projects like North Avenue in Wauwatosa showcases her ability to integrate safety, efficiency, and sustainability into transportation networks. Alex actively participates in professional organizations such as the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), where she has served as secretary and president, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). These roles allow her to shape the direction of the profession, foster collaboration, and advocate for best practices within the engineering community. Through her volunteer work with STEM programs, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) STEM Expo and the Future City Competition, Alex inspires and educates future engineers. Alex exemplifies the ideals of the engineering profession: innovation, leadership, and a commitment to improving society through thoughtful, effective infrastructure solutions. Her efforts extend beyond her professional achievements, emphasizing the importance of engagement and support for the next generation of engineers.

Dr. Mayer and Alex Motl were selected from a pool of highly qualified nominees committed to advancing the engineering profession and inspiring others in southeastern Wisconsin. An independent judging panel completed the evaluation and selection of the nominees. STEM Forward’s Engineer of the Year has been a tradition since 1953. The award is given to a remarkable person in the Milwaukee 7 County Community who has made an extraordinary contribution to the engineering profession. The Young Engineer of the Year recognizes an exemplary engineer under forty.

Generac is receiving the 2025 Spirit of STEM Award for its outstanding commitment to STEM outreach and improving the STEM competency of K-12 students. Supporting STEM education is a primary focus of Generac’s philanthropic efforts, and in 2023, nearly 50 percent of the Generac Foundation’s donations were directed toward education. Generac is focused on getting youth excited about what STEM offers and invests in hands-on programs demonstrating how students can solve problems and make an impact. An example of this is their partnership with MSOE. The Generac and MSOE Youth Engineering Design Academy brings public school children to the STEM Center to experience the engineering design process. Similar experiences happen at other STEM programs Generac supports, including summer STEM camps at WCTC, Discovery World, UWM, and Maydm. They also bring STEM programming to underserved rural communities such as Berlin, Jefferson, and Oshkosh, which included a visit from the STEM Shuttle to a local school, supporting Skills USA, and investing in STEM programs at the local Boys & Girls Clubs.

The Spirit of STEM Award was established in 2013 to honor organizations committed to advancing STEM education and building talent in southeastern Wisconsin. Their efforts significantly impact STEM education and talent. Past recipients include Direct Supply, GE Healthcare, Komatsu, Northwestern Mutual, Rockwell Automation, We Energies, American Family Insurance, Harley Davidson, and Milwaukee Tool.

Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available for this premier event celebrating local STEM accomplishments are available. To learn more, visit the registration site or our website.

About STEM Forward

STEM Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and metro Milwaukee’s leading STEM education and outreach provider. STEM Forward’s programs, events, and activities inspire local youth to pursue STEM careers and provide a talent pipeline to businesses in Wisconsin.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.