Isha M. Renta López is a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Program Office. Her passion for meteorology was sparked in her homeland of Puerto Rico.
She also serves as the executive director of Semilla Cultural in Puerto Rico. Additionally, she is a Latina children’s book author and a Bomba dancer/instructor.
Isha is a remarkable leader dedicated to science and her community, making a lasting impact.
As a management program analyst at NOAA, her work has transformed the agency’s communication and alignment of scientific efforts with budgetary goals.
Isha is a key advisor to NOAA’s chief scientist, leading groundbreaking reforms that have strengthened the agency’s mission.
She is a devoted mentor, particularly to young women of color, inspiring the next generation of scientists to pursue their dreams.
Isha’s 2024 Women of Color (WOC) STEM Conference – Professional Achievement in Government Award recognizes not only her career accomplishments but also her unwavering commitment to cultivating diversity, education, and cultural pride.
In her acceptance speech at the 2024 WOC STEM Gala in Detroit this weekend, at the 2:42 mark, she said, “Twenty years ago, I made the difficult decision to leave Puerto Rico because there were no meteorology degrees. Through my journey as a Latina, my accent has helped tell my story. My gratitude goes to all those who have mentored, lifted, and supported me. They taught me the value of lifting as you climb. To my family in Virginia and Puerto Rico, this is for you.”
In the photo, Isha is seen with other panelists from the conference seminar “Women Empowered to Engage.”
Melissa Martinez was honored with a community service award at the 29th annual Women of Color STEM Conference for her exceptional service and innovative use of technology for the greater good.
Melissa, who serves as the manager of digital learning and integration at RTX Corporate, has been dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for over 20 years.
Her journey began when she became the treasurer for the Raytheon Hispanic Employee Association. Since then, she has been actively involved in raising awareness across various employee resource groups.
Melissa has represented Raytheon at events such as the Corporate Diversity Forum and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest Hispanic and Latin-American civil rights organization in the United States.
Her fundraising efforts have supported important causes, including the University of Arizona Hispanic Alumni Scholarships Foundation and a local school project.
Melissa’s work with the Sunnyside School District and the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program at Pueblo High School reflects her commitment to encouraging young people to pursue STEM careers and gain access to university scholarships.
In her acceptance speech, Melissa emphasized the impact of tutoring on students, stating, “Some might think that tutoring a student in Algebra is just math. But to a student, it is someone making time to hear them, to help them, and to care. And they start to connect Algebra and STEM with a place where they feel at ease, and empowered; and they gain confidence, a spark of renewed interest.”
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