SIM brings together IT leaders to share, network, and give back to their communities through the collaboration of local chapters. The network of chapters across the country is what makes SIM such a powerful organization. When our members embody our mission, we not only grow SIM the organization, but we also advance the technology industry by lending out a hand to the next generation.
With any organization, there are standout members that go above and beyond. Recently, one of our members, Caren Shiozaki, EVP & CIO, TMST, Inc., was recognized for doing just that. This February, Caren was announced as one of six women being recognized as a recipient of the Women in Technology Award presented by the New Mexico Technology Council (NMTC).
Each year, the NMTC recognizes a slate of women for their accomplishments in a STEM field and their contributions to their community. Award recipients represent myriad STEM industries, and all show an exemplary commitment to mentorship and community impact.
Caren, now the Chair Emeritus on the SIM National Board, has been involved with SIM since 2004 when she moved to Dallas as a new CIO. Throughout her career, Caren has been involved with SIM in multiple capacities, and her other non-profit affiliations are quite extensive.
When Caren took a role in New Mexico, there wasn’t a SIM chapter for her to join, instead she became a fellow of the Dallas chapter and took dual membership with the Phoenix chapter where she had business.
Not having a SIM chapter in her new home of Santa Fe, didn’t stop Caren from exemplifying SIM’s mission. She continued to support local philanthropy causes with an emphasis on STEM education. In 2016, she began working with the Sante Fe Alliance for Science, for which she is now the President on the Board of Directors.
She got started with the organization by judging science fairs in the community. Between 2017 and 2018, the organization judged over 1700 projects at 23 school science fairs. The alliance also offers tutoring, professional enrichment for educators, and a series of workshops known as Science Cafes that helped to spark interest in a variety of STEM topics among Santa Fe students and gave youth a chance to learn how some local “real scientists” discovered and prepared for their career path.
She is currently working to develop new activities and learning sessions to provide a lot more curriculum with a focus on STEM literacy. Like many communities, New Mexico is being affected by the COVID-19 virus, and Caren is working with the school district on how to implement virtual learning.