SIAM is thrilled to have two new staff members join our team over the past few months. Get to know:
Jessica Fried, Meeting Manager
Jessica comes to SIAM from a local philanthropic organization to assist with planning meetings, events, and volunteer programs for early childhood teachers and the local community. She started her career at the New York Marriott Marquis working in the sales department after graduating from the New York University Tisch Center of Hospitality. Jessica had over a decade of experience working for nonprofits, both philanthropic and membership based, before taking a hiatus from the industry to raise her children. She then returned to the workforce to lend her logistical support to a fundraising organization.
Jessica’s job responsibilities include the planning and logistic execution of SIAM conferences.
Q: Why are you excited to be working at SIAM?
A: It’s similar to what I did before having kids. I wanted to support an organization that I can apply my skills and return to the industry.
Q: What part of SIAM’s mission statement do you connect with?
A: I appreciate the idea of connection most. In my position, I get to plan meetings that give opportunity for speakers to share their knowledge and for participants to engage and connect with one another.
Q: Why do you think STEM is important?
A: I see that including STEM in early-age children’s education makes them much more adaptable to technology and changing ways. They are much more aware of technology and have the ability to problem solve given the tools and knowledge that they have gained over the years.
Q: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: I went to bartending school – the same one Tom Cruise trained for Cocktail – and used the skill to pay for college.
Q: How do conferences impact the SIAM community?
A: Conferences bring the community together; they provide networking, learning, and professional growth opportunities for participants.
Emma Soiles, Membership Recruitment Coordinator
Emma joins SIAM after having worked a number of years as a geologist/geophysicist with a consulting firm. With a college background in geophysics, Emma found work in consulting for four years before deciding she needed a change.
Emma is responsible for SIAM membership recruitment and retention and coordinating SIAM Sections.
Q: Why are you excited to be working at SIAM?
A: I love the group of people I am working with and enjoy getting to connect with and build the STEM community. It’s very rewarding to see all the research that is being done and working with SIAM members gives me an opportunity to help promote applied mathematics.
Q: What part of SIAM’s mission statement do you connect with?
A: I really love the idea of connecting people in STEM and developing community in order to help the world.
Q: Why do you think STEM is important?
A: STEM helps drive progress in the world. All innovations are advanced by STEM.
Q: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: I am a professional Ultimate frisbee player!
Q: How does the membership department plan to further serve the SIAM community?
A: We are currently looking to expand Sections and provide more opportunities for SIAM members to build community.