As we celebrate Mother’s Day 2022, Over Coffee® would like to salute three amazing innovators–who are also moms.

STEM advocate, TEDx speaker and TechPlayzone Founder/CEO Deshjuana Bagley (upper left) is a computer scientist.

And her sons’ interest in robotics would ultimately give her the inspiration for her Tampa Bay area-based educational program.

With TechPlayzone, Desh teaches students robotics, coding and immersive technology. Many of her classes happen in the metaverse–and if they sound like a lot of fun, that’s the idea! Often, Desh says, her young robotics enthusiasts think they’re just having fun, creating robots and building their own worlds in the metaverse. But they’re learning an invaluable skill–how to create, rather than consume, technology.

Engineer, venture capitalist and community leader Noramay Cadena (center) has a unique story.

When she attended MIT, Noramay took her toddler daughter with her. And yes, she says, those circumstances were as challenging as they sound.

But she prevailed, ultimately earning three MIT degrees–two in engineering and one in business.

Today, Noramay combines those areas of expertise in her career. A managing partner of Supply Change Capital, in Los Angeles, she works with early-stage sustainable businesses at the intersection of food, culture, and technology.

Initially, says Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center Associate Director Jill Zande, the idea of virtual reality wasn’t one about which she was enthusiastic.

But Jill, who is also both the President and Executive Director of nonprofit MATE Innovation for Inspiration, and the founder of MATE’s annual student underwater robotics competition, became a convert.

The 2020 pandemic had forced the cancellation of the annual ROV competition. Now, Jill and her team were looking for ways to innovate, and include student teams worldwide, as the underwater robotics competition returned in 2021.

Attending a workshop hosted by MATE partner, the National Center for Autonomous Technologies, she saw the ways VR could allow MATE to accomplish these goals.

Jill and her staff brought the ROV competition back with three components, which included a five-location virtual world! The event was highly successful, and the MATE VR World will also be a part of this year’s upcoming MATE World Championship, happening June 23rd through 25th!

And as a mom, Jill says she is watching her daughter explore future career options and apply the skills learned while watching her mother lead, and serve, these global events.

Happy Mother’s Day to Noramay, Desh, and Jill–and to all moms! Anyone who’s a mom is certainly no stranger to “innovating, creating and making a difference”.