Loretta Williams Gurnell was raised in Trotwood, OH to parents, who later
divorced yet were the firsts Black family on their street with a hardworking father
who had less than a high school education but pushed his girls in this area and a
mother where education and community building were very important. In her
junior year of college at Central State University, Loretta was awarded a
biological science field research opportunity at Cornell University. This program
opportunity was the first to be awarded by any CSU student. The program
selection signified Loretta’s astuteness in problem-solving, critical thinking,
leadership development and community collaboration building skills, which is
seen in her long career in science research, education, and non-profit leadership.
In 2022, Loretta was named Houston’s InnovationMap DEI Champion of the year
which brought attention to her lifelong achievement and long-time work in
inspiring, developing and mentoring underserved communities and particularly,
girls (women) with STEM + opportunities through early exposure, access & equity
initiatives.
Loretta holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences, a master’s
degree in education leadership with an emphasis in secondary sciences along
with several professional leadership, nonprofit, business, and development
certificates. As founder of the SUPERLady NetWORK that benefits, SUPERGirls
SHINE Foundation (SGSF), Loretta serves as founder & CEO of SGSF, the
premiere organization for rewriting the narrative for more underserved women
and girls in STEM education, college degrees, mentorships, internships, careers
and C-suite roles. With her leadHERship, 1700 plus girls have been impacted
since the inception of SGSF, March 2016, along with more than 150 leadHERs in
diverse industries, with 25 plus male STEM champions, 17 higher education
institutions and 19 public/private/homeschool schools within 7 different school
districts. In doing so, 100% of SGSF SUPERGirl high school graduates attend
college and 87% pursue STEM degrees whereas, alumna are gaining 91% in
pursuit of graduate STEM degrees and certifications.