Meet Terysa Ridgeway

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Terysa Ridgeway. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Terysa below.

Hi Terysa, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I’ve learned to embrace it as a chance to bring a different perspective. I stay confident, make sure I’m prepared, and speak up when it counts. It’s important to show what I know and build relationships with others in the room. Being true to myself and turning challenges into strengths has helped me succeed, even in spaces where I may stand out.

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?

Hi! I’m Terysa Ridgeway, a Computer Science professional and former rocket scientist. I’m also the best-selling author of the ‘Terysa Solves It’ children’s book series, and I work at Google as a Technical Program Manager. My passion for inspiring kids led me to create these books to make learning STEM fun and exciting. I love helping kids think critically and solve problems through stories. It’s amazing to see how ‘Terysa Solves It’ is inspiring young readers around the world to embrace STEM and dream big!

Exciting things are happening, I’m launching a new AI-powered doll that can talk and interact with kids, bringing the learning experience from the books to life. We’ve also expanded into Walmart, making our STEM toys more accessible to families. Plus, I’ll be attending the Walmart Seller Summit to continue growing the brand. It’s been an amazing journey, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three key things that made the biggest impact on my journey were persistence, building strong relationships, and staying open to learning. Persistence helped me push through challenges, even when things got tough. Building good connections with others opened doors and provided valuable support. And being a lifelong learner kept me adaptable and prepared for new opportunities. My advice for anyone starting out? Focus on staying determined, surround yourself with positive people, and never stop learning and growing.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m always open to collaborating with folks who share a passion for STEM education and empowering children through innovative and engaging tools or content. I’m especially interested in working with educators, tech companies, and other creators who want to make learning fun and accessible for kids. If you’re interested in partnering up, feel free to reach out through my website or connect with me on social media—I’d love to hear from you!

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Image Credits

Cameron Theyard

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