Expert in STEM Education at the Siemens Foundation Tapped for National Board

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) announced today the appointment of Jeniffer Harper-Taylor to its Board of Directors.

Ms. Harper-Taylor is currently the head of STEM educational outreach for Siemens Foundation, which is the United States’ philanthropic arm of its parent company Siemens AG and is a nonprofit leader in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. During more than a decade of service Ms. Harper-Taylor has impacted students, teachers and schools on a national scale, introducing tens of thousands of young people to opportunities in STEM. Today she oversees an annual investment of more than $7 million in innovative education programs that support, recognize and encourage the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.

“Jeniffer’s depth of expertise in STEM programming is an asset for NEEF as we move into our next chapter engaging 300 million Americans to actively use environmental knowledge to ensure the well-being of the earth and its people.” said NEEF Board Chairman Decker Anstrom. “We are honored to have her join our board.”

“At the Siemens Foundation, we are able to touch students from grade school to graduate school,” Ms. Harper-Taylor said. “We want to reach underrepresented areas. Not just gender and ethnic backgrounds, but in geographical areas where STEM isn’t emphasized.”

Ms. Harper-Taylor joined Siemens in 1999 as a university recruitment manager. She then joined the Siemens Foundation as Program Manager in March 2000, subsequently serving as Program Director and Vice President before being named President in March 2010 - May 2015. Throughout her tenure she has spearheaded partnerships with such education leaders as the College Board, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association and Oak Ridge Associated Universities to broaden the reach and impact of the Foundation’s programs.

“Jeniffer’s background will be invaluable to NEEF as we strengthen and expand our Greening STEM program,” said NEEF President Diane Wood. “Through our Greening STEM initiatives, we are showing teachers how they can use the outdoors to teach STEM.

“Every school has a STEM lab right outside their classrooms,” Wood added.

Ms. Harper-Taylor is active on a number of fronts to close the minority gap in STEM. She is a charter member of the Advisory Board for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Office for Access and the Advancement of Public Black Universities. She also serves on The Conference Board’s Contributions Council, a group dedicated to advancing the practice of corporate philanthropy. Previously, she served as the Diversity Council Chairperson for Siemens Corporation, USA.   Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Ms. Harper-Taylor has played an active role in various community organizations in her hometown, including the Atlanta chapter of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and membership in the NAACP and Urban League. She is a graduate of Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree.