In this episode of Profiles in Leadership, host Steve Anderson sits down with Dr. Jennifer Berry, CEO of SmartLab, to discuss how leadership, STEM identity, and career-connected learning are preparing students for success in an AI-powered world.
Dr. Berry shares her unconventional path from professional dancer to education executive, explaining how storytelling, organizational leadership, and a passion for student success shaped her approach to transforming STEM education. She introduces SmartLab’s definition of STEM identity as a learner’s belief that they belong, they can master rigorous challenges, and their ideas add value, and explains why developing that mindset is essential for every student, regardless of future career aspirations.
The conversation explores why workforce readiness begins in elementary school, how hands-on, project-based learning builds durable skills, and why preparing students for careers that don’t yet exist requires a different approach to education. Dr. Berry also discusses the importance of partnerships among schools, businesses, and communities to create sustainable learning opportunities that benefit students, local industries, and the future workforce.
Whether you’re a school leader, educator, business leader, community partner, or advocate for career-connected STEM education, this episode offers valuable insights into developing confident learners who are ready to lead in an increasingly complex world.
Table of Contents
00:00 Welcome to Profiles in Leadership and introduction to Dr. Jennifer Berry
02:15 From professional dancer to education leader: Dr. Berry’s leadership journey
09:40 What STEM identity really means and why every student deserves it
16:20 Preparing students for an AI-powered future with durable, transferable skills
22:45 Why workforce readiness begins in kindergarten
29:30 Connecting hands-on STEM learning to real-world industry pathways
36:15 Building confidence, collaboration, and empathy through project-based learning
43:50 Leadership lessons from organizational change and lifelong learning
51:10 The power of partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities
58:20 Investing in students as the future workforce
1:05:40 Dr. Berry’s leadership philosophy and the future of STEM education
1:10:15 Final leadership advice: Never stop learning.