Our Team

Dr. Shy is a graduate from Jackson State University (BS) and Tennessee State University (MS; PhD) with degrees in Biology and Biological Sciences. A native of Buckatunna, MS, Dr. Shy is a trained biochemist and has specialized in areas of research such as exercise science, sports physiology, bioinformatics, immunology, and cancer biology. Her experience in working with students encompasses Scientist in the Classroom with Vanderbilt University and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Million Women Mentors Youth Mentoring, Mosaic Academy at PepsiCo, and numerous science-related community events. Dr. Shy is devoted to connecting with youth to help them discover their true identity through self-awareness. Her favorite self-quote is: “If I can be a stepping stone to help one student get to where they desire to go quicker than I did, then I have served my purpose as a human being”.

TaAqua, a native of Chicago, IL, is a Quality Food and Safety Manager. TaAqua attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a B.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Her specialization is in food processing applications such as manufacturing control processes, food safety and quality system design. Specifically, she loves working with food to help not only nourish people but also promote good health. TaAqua has volunteered with mentor programs for the last 20 years. One of her favorite quotes is "“We should all be concerned about the future because we have to live there”. That quote resonates with TaAqua's purpose in mentoring young girls in STEM as they are the future designers of this world, and they hold the vision to make this world better. TaAqua is dedicated to helping young girls by instilling in them the encouragement and focus to realize their dreams.

Gerie, a native of Chicago, IL, is a CPA. Gerie attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she earned a B.S. in Accounting and Psychology and her M.S.A. in Accounting and attended the University of Phoenix to earn her MBA in Global Business. Although she has a business background, she also is well versed in philanthropy taking her to various countries bringing her talents and volunteering with local and international programs over many years. Gerie is looking forward to mentoring young girls in STEM, encouraging them to take the leap and become the leaders that can advance this mission, while also helping the next generation of young women and future STEM professionals reach their academic goals.

Bernadeth is an organized and accomplished Executive Assistant with 8 years of experience and a seasoned Project/Program Manager with 6 years under her belt. She excels in team management, project coordination, ensuring timely task completion, client reporting, and stepping in for colleagues when needed. Bernadeth also has skills in graphic design, SEO, and web design. She looks forward to working with Building Bridges, Inc. because their innovative approach to empowering young girls through STEM education and leadership programs resonates with her passion for fostering inclusive and transformative community initiatives.

A dedicated solo parent for 14 years, Bernadeth finds joy in organizing and designing. She loves crafts, journaling, and anything related to planners. Her main passion is photography. Additionally, she enjoys tutoring kids and creating activities for them. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management.

Lalynn is a seasoned social media manager and graphic designer with a three-year tenure in the industry. Her mission is fueled by a dedication to empowering young girls through STEM education and self-awareness strategies. Through her expertise in graphic design, Lalynn creates captivating visuals that inspire confidence and curiosity in STEM subjects. Her passion lies in equipping young minds with the knowledge and self-assurance to pursue their dreams within the world of STEM and beyond.

Kenyanna is a positive impact player. She has served the community as an educator, mentor. and community worker for almost a decade. She believes this work is her calling. Her passion for impacting and encouraging others, helping others find joy within, and instilling in others one can only control their actions and attitude are essentials to her professional environments. With an inviting personality, nurturing spirit, and strong work ethic, she prides herself on being a team player and always willing to get her hands dirty.

Yulissa Luna, is a rising third-year undergraduate student at the University of Chicago. With a major in Chemistry, Yulissa plans to pursue a career in medicine because helping people and making a positive impact on their lives is ultimately what drives her forward. She participated in exceptional STEM programs during her middle and high school years. Those opportunities paved a way for her to explore and deepen her understanding of science. Yulissa joined Building Bridges, Inc. because the idea of creating opportunities for young girls, just as she had received during her formative years, deeply resonated with her. She is committed to breaking barriers and overcoming challenges in her journey toward becoming a physician and as she continues to learn and grow,  during her time at Building Bridges, Inc.,  she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of aspiring young girls and encourage them to follow their dreams just as she is pursuing hers in chemistry and medicine. 

Zara is a graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in Public Health Science. She is currently working as a medical assistant in a Primary Care Practice and plans to pursue a career in medicine. She aspires to incorporate her knowledge in public health to have a more holistic approach in her practice in the medical field. Zara joined Building Bridges Inc. to help expand opportunities and continue working towards equity in the STEM field. During her time at Building Bridges Inc. she hopes to help young girls understand the variety of ways they can implement their passions into the STEM field and inspire confidence to pursue careers in this field.

Trey is a third-year computer science and philosophy student at the University of Chicago. He aims to work in nonprofits using his skills. He built a computer at 12, developed a quantum encryption algorithm in high school, and has visited seven countries. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, baking, robotics, travel, and camping.

Mila is a rising second-year undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Chicago. Mila is passionate about the lifecycle of materials and intends on pursuing a career in environmental engineering to do her part in sustaining a healthy planet. She is a part of an environmental club on campus, facilitating composting for school-wide events.

In joining Building Bridges, Inc. Mila hopes to help young girls find confidence in their place in the STEM field. Finding joy in learning is a value that Mila holds and hopes to impart on the students she works with.

Kunashe is a rising third-year undergraduate student at the University of Chicago. Double majoring in Biology and Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity, Kunashe plans to attend medical school to become a practicing position. She is extremely passionate about equity in the healthcare space and has completed science policy and medical management internships to explore these interests. Kunashe joined Building Bridges Inc. because she was excited to participate in the mentorship of young students, and keen to be able to give them experiences that push them further in any path they choose.

She hopes to use this opportunity to help empower and encourage girls to take the challenging path of practicing STEM by sharing her personal experiences. Being able to work directly with students offers a unique perspective that she hopes will help her in her pursuit of medicine and creating a more inclusive environment for people of all ages and backgrounds. 

Abhijeet is as an Executive Associate Intern with a focus on enhancing Financial Management and Growth Strategies. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Project Management at Illinois Institute of Technology and brings three years of experience in the offshore oil and gas industry, where he excelled in project coordination, vendor management, and procurement.

At Building Bridges Inc., Abhijeet will apply his business analysis skills to support data-driven decision-making, with the goal of optimizing project outcomes and fostering inclusivity within the STEM field. He is passionate about helping young professionals find their passion in STEM fields and help in shaping successful careers.

Hymarow brings a strong foundation in business administration and hands-on experience as a Management Intern. With a dedication to fostering collaboration and driving successful outcomes, Hymarow excels both in team settings and through independent initiative.

Known for thriving under pressure and meeting tight deadlines he ensures that diverse perspectives are always valued and heard. His ability to adapt and contribute in fast-paced environments makes him a key asset to the Building Bridges Inc. team.

Nirja is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Marketing Analytics from the Stuart School of Business at Illinois Tech. She earned a bachelor’s (honors) degree in psychology from Gandhinagar, India. Nirja has valuable experience working with psychotherapists, helping them enhance their outreach through targeted marketing efforts.

Passionate about the intersection of psychology and marketing, she is dedicated to using data-driven insights to improve mental health services and outreach. Nirja believes in the power of strategic communication and marketing to connect professionals with those who need their services the most.

Zainab is a dedicated Finance graduate from the Illinois Institute of Technology, bringing a wealth of real-world experience in Investment Banking and Equity Markets. With a solid foundation in financial analysis, valuation, and advisory services, Zainab has supported startups with financial modeling and contributed to multi-million-dollar transactions at Grant Thornton.

She is currently sharpening her skills in technical analysis, coding, and financial analysis to further her career in the financial industry. Beyond finance, Zainab is passionate about empowering Asian women through education and financial independence. In her free time, she enjoys exploring local eateries and staying active with Zumba.

Dr. Stephanie Adams is an award-winning STEM educator and curriculum developer. Throughout her career, she has also had the privilege to serve as a mentor to many educators, and has been hailed as a “problem-solver” by colleagues. Her career in STEM education started over thirty years ago, at which point she attended Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, IL) to study Chemical Engineering. Her love for science and her knack for teaching led her to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a specialization in math and science. Dr. Adams went on to obtain a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

Throughout her educational career, Dr. Adams has instructed K-12, public and private students in math and science. After retiring from one of the largest public school districts in the country in 2023, Dr. Adams has embarked on a journey to bring quality STEM instruction to students of all backgrounds and in all locations, whether from direct instruction, through evidence-based curriculum or by ensuring the presence of quality STEM-educators in the classroom.

Dr. David Allen is a retired Food Scientist who has worked in the food industry for over 30 years. During this time, he worked in both Research and Development and Quality Assurance/Control and launched many domestic and global food and beverage products. As a Food Scientist, David was actively involved in college campus recruiting students at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) for internships in Food Science and Chemical Engineering. He also has served as a mentor for junior scientists and a charter member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council at his former company.

David holds degrees in Biology and Food Science from Savannah State University and Alabama A&M, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. Furthermore, David is a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Bryan Bernat has 25+ years of industrial experience discovering and developing medicines to improve the lives of patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, hepatitis C and other indications. He has led diverse teams, designed programs, and participated in STEM equity throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Bryan advocates for equity in STEM and healthcare and believes grassroots organizations, like Building Bridges, create the most impact to benefit under resourced communities.

Bryan received a B.S. in Biology from Indiana University-Bloomington, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University and completed postdoctoral studies at University of Chicago.

Dr. Tony E. Summers has extensive postsecondary education experience. His experience includes Chief Executive Officer of the University of the District of Columbia Community College, Vice President for Student Development at Richland College (one of seven independently accredited colleges in the Dallas County Community College District), Director of Financial Aid and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Community College of Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Adjunct instructor at the University of Southern Utah‘s Graduate Program in Public Administration. Dr. Summers is a published author of the text, The Reflective Administrator, a Leader Centered Focus.

Dr. Summers completed his bachelor’s in political science at Duquesne University, his Maters of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, and completed his Doctoral Degree in Adult Learning and Higher Education at Walden University.