Meet Stephanie Finoti

We recently connected with Stephanie Finoti and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Growing up I was often in spaces where I was the only woman with a diverse ethnic background or even the only one who struggled in poverty, whether that was in the world of ballet or the STEM field. In those spaces I told myself that while it would be easier to hide those parts of myself that were different, I knew how important it was to be loud and proud in my individuality. By doing this I was able to become the representation I seeked and laid the groundwork for others to follow in my footsteps. If we all have the mindset of creating the role models we seek in ourselves, we are able to trailblaze towards a more equitable future for marginalized women, women of color, and women in general.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a first-generation Brazilian-American and a first generation college graduate. Growing up in poverty taught me the importance of hard work and resilience. The driving force in my motivation has always been to end the generational poverty in my family and be a role model for my little brother who is 11 years younger than me. I recognized the disparities in medicine when my mom went into labor and almost passed away with my brother. Black and Latina women face the highest rates of maternal mortality in the US so I made it my goal to change that by becoming a physician and addressing those disparities. I am now a scientist in fetal and maternal medicine and am working to pursue my medical degree. This past year I have created an initiative called That STEM Girl which is a mentorship community comprised of young women who are emerging leaders in medicine and female STEM professionals. Together we work to provide marginalized women with the resources, representation, and recruitment they need to succeed in the STEM field and bridge gaps in medicine. I recently used this platform to compete on the national level at Miss America as Miss Ohio 2024 and placed top 5, proving that women do not have to confine themselves into a box and can succeed in many fields with no limitations to their successes.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

My greatest skill has always been my passion. With passion I realized that my dreams were worth fighting for and I learned perseverance. When you combine passion and perseverance you get grit and grit is what will allow you to achieve every goal you set for yourself. My advice for the youth who strive for success is to dare to dream big. If a dream is placed in your heart it’s because you have everything you need within you to achieve it. Do not let anyone dull your light and never underestimate your abilities. You are capable of anything and everything.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My mother has always been my inspiration. She is the hardest worker I know and left everything behind in her home country of Brazil to allow me to have opportunities of success. She has believed in every dream I’ve ever had and because of her I’ve learned to believe in myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ThatSTEMgirl.org
• Instagram: @Stephaniefinotimao @missamericaoh @stephyfino
• Linkedin: Stephanie Finoti

Image Credits

@sylvart Brent Watkins