Neela White is a Project Director for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Inclusive STEM Ecosystems for Equity and Diversity. Her portfolio of work at AAAS include managing the AAAS HBCU Making & Innovation initiatives, serving as co-PI on the NSF-funded Enhancing Making and Innovation Capacity for HBCU Students and Faculty Via an Inclusive Community of Practice project, and working on the AAAS Board-appointed Committee on Opportunities in Science (COOS).
She formally worked on the AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador Program, and the AAAS Marion Milligan-Mason Awards for Women. She has served as an external evaluator for multiple projects including the NSF INCLUDES Early STEM Engagement for Minority Males (eSEM) project and the Verizon Innovative Learning Summer Program for Minority Males at Morgan State University. She has also served as a Program Associate for the AAAS District of Columbia program. Her areas of focus have been within the sectors of invention; innovation; entrepreneurship; HBCUs, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education; Maker movement; international research collaboration; and diversity, equity and inclusion in science.
Prior to AAAS, she worked at the Brookings Institute as the Administrator for the Center on Social and Economic Dynamics. She also served as the Public Affairs Manager and Board Liaison for the Center for Excellence in Education. Ms. White earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Temple University in 2003