Opportunity plays a big part in making possible a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). That’s why top leaders demonstrate such commitment to creating pathways by supporting STEM education in communities they work and live.

At a recent luncheon hosted by Chicago Network's Women in the Forefront, keynote speaker Ilene Gordon, chairman, president and CEO of Ingredion Incorporated, discussed the importance of a STEM education and shared how Ingredion is playing its part to promote women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.

Ingredion makes sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials that are used by customers in everyday products from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals.

“An education in the STEM disciplines enhances analytical thinking, which is essential to make sound, fact-based business decisions that drive results," Gordon said.

"Without shop class (industrial arts) in elementary school, physics and calculus in high school, math and science classes in college, and an education at a business school that ranks among the best in the world, I would not have been prepared for the opportunities that I've had. It's perhaps not a surprise that close to two-thirds of the women CEOs of the Fortune 500 have STEM degrees," Gordon said.

"Ingredion is a strong supporter of Girls for Science, a nonprofit dedicated to exposing Chicago girls to science, technology, engineering, and math at a young age," she said. "Such a program is a catalyst but without additional opportunities and higher education, the dream of budding STEM professionals could be thwarted so continued public and private support of STEM education for our young women in our nation's schools and colleges must be a priority,” Gordon said.

“To be successful, we must find a way to motivate young people to pursue careers in STEM,” Marillyn Hewson said. “We need to do everything we can to develop a pipeline of diverse talent and create opportunities for students to pursue their dreams. No one should ever feel like a career in technology is out of reach.”

Hewson has been the CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation since January 2013―the first female CEO at one of the world’s largest defense contractors.

Mary Teresa Barra―first female chief executive officer of General Motors―joined GM in 1980 as an 18-year-old co-op student at the General Motors Institute (Kettering University).

Mixing school and work in rotation at the Pontiac Motor Division, Barra studied electrical engineering at General Motors Institute, obtaining a Bachelor of Science. Clearly, on the fast track, she was promoted quickly through engineering and staff positions. By 1988, she earned even further professional development recognition through a GM fellowship for an M.B.A. at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. With more than 30 years of experience at GM, Barra has risen through a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions.

At the end of 2013, GM announced that Barra would succeed Daniel Akerson, the former chairman and CEO of General Motors. As CEO, Barra leads company efforts to strengthen GM in automotive design and technology, product quality, customer care and business results for 56 GM plants, annual production of more than three million vehicles and powertrains, and 74,000 workers.

The automobile manufacturer continues to shape the next generation of leaders and innovators for the auto industry and develop diverse talent for its future needs.

In August 2013, GM donated $900,000 to Project Lead the Way, which brings together the application of math and science principles in a real-world context, helping students develop problem-solving skills that will prepare them for college and careers.

Since its start in 2011, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program has awarded $16.5 million to students across the U.S. This year, the program will award 100 scholarships of up to $25,000 per year, renewable for up to four years, or up to five years for qualified engineering programs.

Recently Project Lead the Way (PLTW) also announced a $6 million national partnership with Lockheed Martin to expand PLTW’s science, technology, engineering, and math programs in urban school districts.

Like Barra, a 30-year veteran of her organization, Hewson also joined Lockheed Martin in the 1980s.

According to the Washington Post, Hewson started in 1983 as a senior industrial engineer working on military aircraft, a new program that provided an opportunity for Hewson to advance. Over the course of Hewson’s career she has held 19 leadership positions that included running the company’s electronic systems business, the Post said.

In recent years, General Dynamics has bought companies with expertise in expected growth areas such as health technology and cybersecurity. To guarantee a future supply of highly skilled employees, GD partners with organizations such as Jobs for America's Graduates and sponsors many scholarships at the community college and university level. GD also supports diverse communities where employees work and live through organizations that have an education focus, particularly STEM.

“Differences in race, ethnicity, gender and experience provide the environment in which diversity of thought can flourish, and it is that diversity of thought that ultimately makes us stronger and better, and, on a human level, richer,” said Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of General Dynamics.

Novakovic joined GD in 2001 and became president and chief operating officer in 2012. She has served as the chairman of the board and CEO of General Dynamics since January 2013. She graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1988. She worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. From 1997 to 2001, she worked for the United States Department of Defense.