Meet Kathy

Kathy Kale Nelson is an author, STEM advocate, and storyteller who creates books that invite children—especially girls—to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in ways that feel approachable, creative, and real.

An electrical engineer with decades of experience, Kathy has spent much of her career working in technical fields where women are still underrepresented. She is also the creator and co-host of the podcast Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM, where she has interviewed hundreds of women about their careers, challenges, and everyday work—shaping her belief that representation matters most when it feels normal, visible, and attainable.

Through her coloring book, STEM Super Stars: Women of Today Changing the World, Kathy highlights contemporary women working across a variety of STEM fields, pairing bold illustrations with kid-friendly explanations of what these careers look like day to day. Her goal is to spark curiosity, open doors, and help children see themselves in the wide world of STEM—one page, one question, and one story at a time.

STEM Super Stars is especially meaningful as a mother–daughter collaboration. The illustrations were created by Kathy’s daughter, Emily Nelson, who drew each page by hand. Bringing this book into the world together has been both a passion project and a joyful experience.