From Curiosity to Career: State of the Girl Event Showcased How Girl Scouts Are Powering Ohio Girls’ Futures in STEM
Columbus, OH — The future of STEM in Ohio looked brighter today as Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) convened community leaders, partners, and supporters for the 2026 State of the Girl event at the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center. The annual gathering highlighted how Girl Scouts is equipping girls with the confidence, skills, and leadership experiences needed to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This year’s program focused on expanding access to hands-on STEM learning and empowering girls to lead in their schools, communities, and future careers.
Keynote speaker Michelle Greene, EVP & CIO of Global Technology for Cardinal Health, discussed preparing girls for a rapidly evolving STEM workforce and the importance of industry partnerships in building strong talent pipelines.
Featured speaker Girl Scout Sahithi, a senior at Dublin Jerome High School, shared her Gold Award project, the Ohio Cardiac Collective, and the impact of her nonprofit, Healthy Hearts of Ohio, in promoting heart health awareness across the state.
Tammy Wharton, President & CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland and emcee of the event, emphasized the organization’s role in shaping girls’ STEM identities from an early age.
“At Girl Scouts, we see every day that girls are eager to explore, build, and lead in STEM,” said Wharton. “When Girl Scouts are given the opportunity to experiment, solve real-world problems, and connect with mentors, they gain the confidence to see themselves in these careers and to believe they belong there.”
During the program, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland highlighted the impact of the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center, which opened in October 2024, and the council’s growing STEM initiatives. From early exposure in kindergarten through high school programs, Girl Scouts are building confidence through immersive opportunities such as STEM day camps, engineering challenges, environmental science projects, and community-based learning.
Corporate Circle of Impact Award Presented to Battelle
The State of the Girl event underscored the importance of community partnerships in ensuring Ohio girls have equal opportunities to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and pursue careers in STEM and beyond.
GSOH honored Battelle with the first-ever Corporate Circle of Impact Award in recognition of more than 30 years of transformative partnership.
From helping launch the Maple Syrup program to designing and opening a “Make Zone” at the Zanesville Service Center, Battelle’s impact can be seen across the organization. Battelle has provided science kits to troops, supported the development of a Wetlands Exploration program, and played a leading role in the Dream Big Initiative—helping bring the STEM and Leadership Center to life.
In addition, Battelle’s leaders show up and lead alongside GSOH. CEO Lou Von Thaer served as an Honorary Co-Chair of the GSOH Dream Big campaign, Wes Hall, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Education, served on the Champion Committee, and Leslie Vesha, Philanthropy Manager, serves on the GSOH Board of Directors.
To learn more about STEM programming from Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, visit www.gsoh.org
