BIRMINGHAM — Momentum Leaders has been awarded an Innovate Alabama Network designation, as well as a $223,000 grant award, to fuel and expand Momentum’s mission in Huntsville.
This funding will directly fund expanded programs, mentoring opportunities, and scholarships for women in STEM and innovation fields.
Momentum Leaders is Alabama’s premier nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in leadership through professional development, mentoring, and networking. By providing leadership training, events, mentoring, and resources, Momentum is helping shape Alabama’s workforce and innovation ecosystem.
The organization empowers women in underrepresented fields — such as STEM, IT, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship — by equipping them with the skills, support, and connections they need to lead. Each year, Momentum reaches more than 10,000 women across the state.
“As the first female director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, I understand the critical importance of nurturing a diverse and innovative STEM workforce for the future,” said Jody Singer. “Momentum plays a vital role in empowering accomplished women by fostering professional networks and relationships, particularly in male-dominated fields.
“It is a valuable platform for exceptional women in STEM to share insights, support one another, and develop the next generation of strong leaders, both locally and globally.”
Despite making up 48% of the overall U.S. workforce, women hold just 27% of jobs in STEM fields — a gap that is even more pronounced in Alabama.
In Alabama, only 4% of the STEM workforce are women, compared to 9.9% for men.
Huntsville is a critical hub in Alabama’s technology and innovation sectors, and Momentum is committed to meeting the urgent need for targeted leadership development and support for women in science, technology, engineering, innovation, and mathematics.
“Having worked in the tech ecosystem myself, I’ve seen firsthand how strategic investment can transform careers and communities,” said Momentum CEO April Benetollo. “This funding allows us to accelerate progress for women in tech-enabled industries by making programs and resources more accessible through scholarships, high impact mentorships, and continued mission expansion in the North Alabama region.”
Expanding and sustaining talent pipelines for women in tech is an ongoing challenge in Huntsville — even as the city stands out with one of the highest concentrations of STEM jobs in the state at 16.7%. To ensure women have the opportunity to thrive in these growing fields, greater access to mentorship, leadership development, and professional networks is essential.
“The Innovate Alabama Network is a catalyst, creating and strengthening our statewide network for innovation programming and bolstering entrepreneurship in all types of communities acrossthe state,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “We are encouraged by the continual growth of interest in the program, spurred by momentum built in the first two rounds of awards.
“Innovate Alabama is eager to harness this excitement to support designees through our most engaging and connective resources yet.”
Through Momentum’s programs, women report gains in social capital, economic opportunity, career advancement, and leadership capacity.
For information, visit momentumleaders.org/innovate.
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