Margaret Ashida directs the Empire State STEM Learning Network (Empire STEM), formed in June 2010 to build the capacity of local communities to create and institute innovative and sustainable STEM schools, policies, programs, platforms and partnerships across New York State to improve the college- and career-readiness of all students.  Empire STEM is now under the stewardship of the State University of New York in partnership with Battelle, following its incubation by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with start-up support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Battelle, and the AT&T foundation.  Previously an executive at IBM, Margaret began her career at the Xerox Corporation and is a graduate of the University of Rochester and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.