About Us
SparkShop’s mission is to inspire and mobilize the next generation of engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs & manufacturing geniuses.
SparkShop empowers students to apply their skills to engineering challenges and see their value in the STEM fields. We focus on inspiring 4th and 5th graders with a mix of visits from our staff and interdisciplinary, connected curriculum for their teachers.
We believe the US needs a larger and more diverse pool of technical talent and we're ready to help!
MEET OUR TEAM
Shonali Ditz | Executive director & Co-founder
Shonali launched SparkShop in 2017 with her co-founder, Tiernan Murrell. She began her career as an engineer in the automotive industry, where she witnessed the lack of diversity in technical talent and how it stifles both innovation and opportunity. The vision of a more diverse and inclusive generation of STEM talent is what inspires her work at SparkShop. She is excited and honored to be leading this phase of SparkShop’s growth and impact!
Stephanie batres spezza | Program manager
Stephanie has 10 years of experience as a middle school science educator in CPS and as a teacher educator. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Science Education at the University of Illinois Chicago, focusing on equity, social justice, and identity as essential considerations to teaching and learning. In conjunction with her PhD program, Stephanie serves as our Program Manager, overseeing all activities related to programs and partnerships from development to implementation.
Jess lemaster | operations manager
Jess has extensive knowledge in the nonprofit sector. Before joining our SparkShop team, she worked as a fundraiser for the Logan Square Neighborhood Association (Palenque LSNA) which develops community leaders and creates equity in Logan Square. Before that, she was also the camp director for “Girls Rock! Chicago”. Jess currently leads our Operations initiatives, coordinates volunteer events, and builds a strong network of partners, suppliers, and volunteers who reflect our ethics and values.
AZARIA MCKAY | PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION specialist
Azaria began their career in higher education as an Inclusive Recruitment Coordinator at a Liberal Arts Institution. They developed recruitment initiatives for historically marginalized students and coordinated events for First Generation students. Azaria supports teachers at SparkShop partnered schools throughout Chicago, spearheads SparkShops growth in schools across Chicago, and maintains partnerships with education focused community organizations in the city.
Eileen Patton | Alumni and Impact Specialist
Eileen has extensive experience growing and leading engagement programs for students and young professionals from across the country. She has developed programs and advised students in higher education institutions and corporate and entertainment settings. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Dominican University’s Brennan School of Business. Eileen’s role at SparkShop is developing alumni programming to help us keep in touch and provide support to SparkShop students as they go into middle school and high school.
LUZ HERRERA | cURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Luz began her career as an educator in 2016 and has worked in public schools in Chicago, Spain, and Brazil. Most recently, she was a 4th grade teacher at Jamieson Elementary, and she is excited to bring her classroom experience to the SparkShop team. Luz now collaborates with the program manager to design learning outcomes and activities and acts as the field teacher to support program participants.
MIKAYLA CARTER | OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
Mikayla started her career in higher education at a small university in central Ohio. In that role, she worked in the diversity and inclusion office leading a variety of student-focused initiatives for historically marginalized student populations. At SparkShop, Mikayla collaborates with our Operations Manager by coordinating volunteer events, assisting with inventory, and developing internal processes as an Operations Associate.