STEM Alliance of North Alabama
Who We Are
The STEM Alliance of North Alabama (SANA) brings people together to make STEM education stronger across North Alabama. Our goal is to build connections between educators, community organizations, and industry so that more students—and adults—can discover exciting opportunities in STEM learning and careers.
We focus on collaboration, shared learning, and hands-on experiences that open doors, spark ideas, and support real pathways to success. Whether it’s through community events, classroom programs, or workforce initiatives, we’re working to create a STEM network that lifts up individuals and strengthens entire communities.
SANA is open to STEM education professional stakeholders across North Alabama, including individuals working in K-12 and higher education, informal education, community organizations, government, and STEM focused industries.
Background and Mission
The STEM Alliance of North Alabama (SANA) was created in 2024 through an initiative of the Alabama STEM Council and is one of several regional STEM Learning Ecosystems across the state of Alabama.
Governor Kay Ivey established the Alabama STEM Council through Executive Order No. 721 in September 2020. The Council’s mission is to advise state leaders—including the Legislature, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the State Department of Education—on strategies to improve STEM education, expand career awareness, and strengthen workforce development across Alabama. It builds on the foundational work of Alabama’s Roadmap to STEM Success. As part of its mission, the Council funded the research and development of regional STEM Learning Ecosystems aligned with each of Alabama’s seven workforce regions. These ecosystems were tasked with designing and implementing collaborative networks of educators, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and other key stakeholders to support regional workforce needs and educational goals.
SANA was developed through the combined efforts of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama and is focused on serving STEM education stakeholders within Alabama Workforce Region 1.
Officially launching in 2025, SANA brings together nonprofits, educators, and industry professionals to collaborate, connect, and co-create meaningful pathways for STEM education and workforce readiness in North Alabama. SANA supports the STEM community through a shared online platform, networking events, and professional development opportunities designed to foster innovation and connection across the region.
A Shared Mission and Vision
SANA’s Mission: To build partnerships that promote collaboration, increase awareness, and advocate for opportunities in STEM education and workforce development by providing innovative learning experiences and career pathways across North Alabama and beyond.
SANA’s Vision: To grow a unified STEM network where collaboration and shared learning bridge gaps and create transformative opportunities that improve lives, uplift communities, and unlock the potential within every individual.
Meet the Team
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Kelly East
VP of Educational Outreach
Hudson Alpha Institute
for Biotechnology
Ecosystem Co-Lead
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Angela O'Neil
STEM Director
Boys & Girls Clubs
of North Alabama
Ecosystem Co-Lead
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Gayla Suddarth
Senior Manager
Women in Defense
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Joseph Vick
Museum Education Director
US Space and Rocket Center
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Jason Bradshaw
Platform Engineer / Founder / Chapter Leader
Code.Sip.Repeat. / BDPA Huntsville
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Sonya Dillard
AST Safety Engineer
NASA MSFC
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Jori Chatman
Community Relations Specialist
Tennessee Valley Authority
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Candy McGuire
Instructor & Clinical Supervisor
Alabama A&M University
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Faith Plunkett
Instructional Technology
Decatur City Schools
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Joel Donelan
Environmental Educator
Operation Green Team, City of Huntsville
Member Organizations
State and National Partners
The STEM Alliance of North Alabama (SANA) was established through an initiative of the Alabama STEM Council. Governor Kay Ivey established the Alabama STEM Council in September 2020 to advise state leaders on strategies to improve STEM education, expand career awareness, and strengthen workforce development across Alabama.
As part of its mission, the Council funded the research and development of a statewide STEM Learning Ecosystem as well as regional STEM Learning Ecosystems aligned with each of Alabama’s seven workforce regions, including SANA.
The STEM Alliance of North Alabama is proud to partner with iSTEM Alabama to promote the amazing work being done by informal STEM providers in North Alabama as well as increase awareness of all the informal STEM learning opportunities that are available across the state.
The STEM Alliance of North Alabama (SANA) was established through an initiative of the Alabama STEM Council. Governor Kay Ivey established the Alabama STEM Council in September 2020 to advise state leaders on strategies to improve STEM education, expand career awareness, and strengthen workforce development across Alabama.
As part of its mission, the Council funded the research and development of a statewide STEM Learning Ecosystem as well as regional STEM Learning Ecosystems aligned with each of Alabama’s seven workforce regions, including SANA.
