Meet the 2025 #AiCstories Ambassadors

Last year, we announced the first cohort of #AiCstories Ambassadors, who graciously shared their personal tech journeys and provided encouraging advice for the #AiCcommunity in a first-of-its-kind series sponsored by MatchGroup.

Now, the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Community is proud to introduce the second cohort of the #AiCstories Ambassadors! This dynamic cohort will share their unique stories to galvanize the next generation of tech leaders that look like them and beyond. Over the next few months you’ll get to know — and be inspired by — Gia, Hope, Ashley Marie, Kaylie, Bryn, and Neith. 

First up, proud citizen of The Chickasaw Nation: Hope Chambers, and Puerto Rico’s very own Gia Ramos!

Meet Hope Chambers!

Hope Chambers is a woman of many firsts. She went from being the first student from Oklahoma to win a national NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award— then won 3 years in a row! — to being a part of the team at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory team dedicated to bringing the first samples from Mars back to Earth.

"My parents have been the backbone of my STEM journey."
Color photo of Hope Chambers smiling
Hope Chambers
#AiCstories Ambassador

Early science interest is important for developing a perception of yourself as someone who is capable of doing STEM — and parental or caregiver support plays a crucial role in exposing and supporting this. As with fellow #AiCstories Ambassador Gia Ramos, Hope’s STEM journey also began in adolescence due to her parents’ emboldening. She attended a summer camp program in elementary school and was immediately hooked after witnessing her hard work come to life through hands-on projects. 

Another source of endless encouragement for this #AiCstories Ambassador has been AISES – a national non-profit and NCWIT Affinity Alliance member focused on advancing the Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in STEM — from early education to professional career development — through financial, academic, professional, and cultural support.

As a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Hope got involved with the organization as an undergrad, and it changed the trajectory of her life, both personally and professionally.

“AISES not only gave me networking opportunities but also helped me deepen my connection with my Native American roots!"
Color photo of Hope Chambers smiling
Hope Chambers
#AiCstories Ambassador

Hope found securing internships within the competitive STEM landscape daunting before joining the organization. While attending the AISES national conference, she connected with tech recruiters from across the country, including 3M — where she landed her first internship — and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) after that. 

Vivid smiling photo of Hope Chambers, with a shoulder length bob and in a black shirt and dusty red cardigan, standing in front of the NASA HQ building.
Color photo of a smiling Hope Chambers — in a navy NASA JPL logo shirt and denim jeans with Adidas sneakers — sitting on top of a black display showcasing the Mars Helicopter machine in the background
Color group photo of Hope Chambers on the left — wearing a maroon t-shirt with denim jeans — standing amongst 13 fellow male NASA JPL colleagues with the Mars Sample Return Helicopter displayed on a table with a black tablecloth. Text reads: “Mars Sample Return Helicopter | January 2024"

With the support of AISES and the #AiCcommunity, and her willingness to put herself out there despite the fear, Hope had a transformative two-year journey at NASA JPL. During her internship, she worked on groundbreaking projects like the Mars Sample Return mission.

“Being part of the team dedicated to bringing samples from another planet to Earth was both awe-inspiring and exhilarating, igniting my passion for technology and exploration.”
Color photo of Hope Chambers smiling
Hope Chambers
#Aicstories Ambassador

While AISES provided necessary ancestral connection and strength, being a part of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing community evolved her confidence as a woman in STEM. Both of their investments allowed Hope to be relentless in the pursuit of her dreams.

A young Hope who loved using her hands to build personal projects could only imagine where her early love for technology might take her. As a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Master’s in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Hope is ready for the world (and beyond)! While she aspires to have a life-long career working on projects that align with her passion for fabrication and robotics, she also hopes to be a source of guidance and support for others, just as her parents, AISES, and NCWIT have been for her.

“I've come to understand that it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing the learning process, especially as a student, opens doors to knowledge and experiences that shape our future careers.”
Color photo of Hope Chambers smiling
Hope Chambers
#AiCstories Ambassador

From Oklahoma to Mars, Hope Chambers is making her mark! Find more photos, insights, and share Hope’s story with aspiring technologists on Bluesky | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook!

Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube.

Meet Gia Ramos!

Bookmark this video in the NCWIT Media Hub + watch it any time!

Gia was determined from a young age to make an impact on her island — and she has. Now, she’s an award-winning and world traveling technologist, all before she’s walked the stage. Her journey is awe-inspiring!

Color group photo of Gia Ramos, smiling in the middle in a black dress in front of a purple backdrop, receiving the NCWIT AiC High School Award with two women representatives standing beside her

Gia was the youngest-ever recipient of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing National High School Award.

“I will never forget my experience as the “baby” of NCWIT. As a freshman in high school, I was able to tour the headquarters of Bank of America, and meet a ton of influential women in technology.”
Gia Ramos
#AicStories Ambassador

In 2023, she was named a member of the inaugural Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Puerto Rico. Currently, she’s studying Operations Research and Information Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics at Cornell University, an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution, as well as leading a non-profit organization.

Frustrated by the lack of STEM opportunities, she founded Girl Innovation in 2018: A program focused on teaching young girls the basics of computer science, robotics, and cybersecurity. Through workshops, Girl Innovation Talks, roundtable discussions, and college and career discovery days, this non-profit, Gia is empowering young girls in tech — just as #AiCcommunity member Pooja Chandrashekar inspired her.

Color photo of a Girl Innovation workshop attendee in a white t-shirt with a blue logo, working at a laptop with robotics materials next to it. Text on the t-shirt reads: “Girl Innovation”
Color group photo of two Girl Innovation workshop attendees working on laptops Gia Ramos, standing in a white shirt, smiling at two participants working on laptops while teaching a Girls Innovation workshop that has eight attendees

After attending a robotics course in fifth grade, Gia participated in a competition hosted by ProjectCSGIRLS, an international non-profit organization founded by Pooja that’s dedicated to closing the gender gap in computing and technology. The program taught her about critical thinking, app design, pitching ideas, and NCWIT — and changed the trajectory of her life!

“I wanted to be a mentor for my students like Pooja was for me, so I expanded [Girl Innovation] with a mentorship program.”
Gia Ramos
#AicStories Ambassador

In the first year of Girl Innovation, two of Gia’s mentees became semi-finalists in the ProjectCSGirls competition. The following year, one of her first mentees, Kamila, became a NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award winner for the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Affiliate and National NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award Honorable Mention recipient.

"It was truly a full-circle moment for me," Gia said about her mentee being recognized by NCWIT.

Color group photo of Gia Ramos, in a pink dress and holding a microphone while standing next to the founder, Pooja on stage at a ProjectCSGIRLS event. Text on the black banner in the background reads: “ProjectCSGIRLS”
Color group photo of Gia Ramos, standing in a white shirt, smiling at two participants working on laptops while teaching a Girls Innovation workshop that has eight attendees
Smiling photo of Gia Ramos, in a black blazer and jeans, and mentee Kamila, in a floral blouse and jeans, holding a white certificate of completion

Through all of her years of service to others and accolades, she has her Dad to thank. Not only for his endless support, but also for enriching her life through travel.

“If it weren’t for my dad putting me through the challenge of taking a Robotics course, I would never be where I am today.

The challenges we don’t expect are the ones that allow us to grow the most.”
Gia Ramos
#AiCStories Ambassador

From exploring across Puerto Rico, to skiing in the mountains of Spain, and taking on upstate New York, he’s been her number one supporter — and travel companion!

In summer 2024, Gia interned at Wells Fargo in the Commercial and Corporate & Investment Banking Technology team. This year, Gia Ramos — the purposeful girl determined to make an impact within her community — will graduate with a bachelors from an Ivy League institution. Congratulations, Gia!

Find more photos, insights, and share Gia’s story with aspiring technologists on Bluesky | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook!

Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube!

More #AiCstories are coming soon! Follow @NCWITAiC using the links above to be the first to see them as they’re released!

Design promoting AiC Stories Ambassador Hope Chambers, includes a photo of Hope smiling at the camera in a floral print blouse in front of a purple gradient

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