Dr. Sandra Diana Ingä and Theresa Muenkel Christy of West Hartford were honored during a ceremony on Oct. 29.

Submitted by Laura Phillips Ward

In addition to inducting Jennifer Lawton, Marian Salzman, and Beatrix Farrand at its 21^stAnnual Induction Ceremony & Celebration, “Shaping Our World: Women in Design & Innovation,” on Oct. 29, 2014, the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF) will recognize a group of Design & Innovation Honorees for 2014.

Dr. Sandra Diana Ingä and Theresa Muenkel Christy of West Hartford are two of those Honorees.

Sandra Diana Ingä, Ph.D. is the PK-12 STEM Director for Hartford Public Schools and is a recognized STEM educator, leader and mentor in the Hartford region. Ingä oversees the development and integration of science, technology, engineering and math programs in 53 schools across the city. She served as co-chair of the design team for a K-8 STEM magnet school that has been recognized by the federal government as a Blue Ribbon school and has established the first Hartford STEM Conference as well as the district’s STEM Leadership Team to coordinate an integrated approach to science, math and technology instruction. She has also presented at numerous local, state and international STEM conferences. Additionally, she is responsible for the ongoing observation, evaluation and professional development of STEM educators as well as the Teacher-in-Residence program. Ingä holds a B.A. in biology from Washington University, an M.S. in organic chemistry from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership/Adult Education from the University of Connecticut.

Theresa Muenkel Christy is a Fellow at Otis Elevator Company where she is an award-winning designer of vertical transportation configurations and holds multiple patents. Christy joined Otis in 1986 as a systems engineer and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the company since that time. In 2006, she became the first female Otis Fellow, in recognition of her expertise in elevator dispatching, simulation and traffic analysis. She has worked with numerous elevator consultants and customers around the world to analyze elevator configuration design and performance for some of the world’s most recognizable structures. Christy holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Wellesley College, an M.B.A. from Babson College and an M.A. in Mathematics and Statistics from Central Connecticut State University. In 2011, she was among the finalists for the Connecticut Women of Innovation Awards. Christy continues to publish her research in multiple industry publications and is frequently consulted on peer-reviewed work in the area of elevator traffic analysis.

“Whether in research and development or discovery and invention, this year’s honorees vividly demonstrate the many ways women are shaping our world,” says Katherine Wiltshire, executive director of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.  “In fields ranging from fashion design to naval architecture, their leadership and achievements influence the present and set the stage for the future, inspiring new generations to reach their full potential.”

The other Design & Innovation Honorees for 2014 are:

Biree Andemariam, M.D.

Assistant Professor, UConn Health Center

Award-winning hematologist leading research and treatment of blood disorders including sickle cell disease and hemophilia, with particular attention to their impact on women’s health

Rondelynn Bell & Naimah Spann

Co-Founders, NIRO

Innovative fashion designers and founders of an after-school program and experiential learning curriculum for young people

Marian Chertow, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Industrial Environmental Management, Yale University

Business and environment expert specializing in industrial symbiosis, industrial ecology and waste management strategies

Erin Duffy, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Officer, Melinta Therapeutics

Computational chemist developing next-generation antibiotics and leading expert on the structure and function of bacterial ribosomes and the effect of antibiotics on their ribosomal targets

Katherine Emery

CEO & Founder, The Walker Group & Founder, reSET

Cutting-edge information technology leader and founder of New England’s largest woman-owned technology services firm, tireless advocate for Connecticut as a hub for social enterprise

Mariko Masuoka

Principal, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Leader in environmentally-friendly building design and award-winning LEED designer of academic and commercial building projects in Connecticut and beyond

Joan M. Sienkiewicz

Program Supervisor, General Dynamics Electric Boat

Experienced naval architect and marine engineer, designing combat weapons systems and overseeing forward-end electronics integration in Virginia-class submarines

Anabella Villalobos, Ph.D.

Head of Neuroscience Medicinal Chemistry, Pfizer

Innovative drug discovery researcher and author of multiple patents and publications, developing leading-edge therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia

Made possible by platinum sponsor Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and other distinguished sponsors, the CWHF’s 21^st Annual Induction Ceremony & Celebration was held on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  Illustrating the vital role women play in designing the world around us and fueling our continued progress with innovative ideas, this year’s Inductees are: Jennifer Lawton, respected technologist, entrepreneur, and pioneer in the 3D printing industry; Marian Salzman, thought leader in public relations, among the world’s top five trendspotters; and Beatrix Farrand (1872-1959), nationally renowned landscape architect.

The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame is an educational outreach organization whose mission is to honor publicly the achievement of Connecticut women, preserve their stories, educate the public and inspire the continued achievements of women and girls.  Founded in 1994 in Hartford, Connecticut, the Hall fills the void that traditional curricula still fail to address and today stands as the state’s premier source for women’s history with 106 Inductees.  These women’s lives and accomplishments are celebrated and documented through a wide spectrum of innovative statewide programs offered free of charge to Connecticut citizens.  Historically, the CWHF web site has been a learning tool attracting international, national and local researchers, teachers and students.  The CWHF’s website, www.cwhf.org, is a “Virtual Hall” where visitors can explore its educational resources.  To join the CWHF via social media, find and like ctwomen on Facebook, and follow @ctwomen on Twitter and @womeninct on Instagram.