Girls' Day Out at Delta College

Girls’ Day Out is an event that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities and features hands-on experiences introducing young women to careers that are traditionally male-dominated fields.

This year's event will be held on Friday, November 7.

Meet this year's speakers

Brooke Beebe

Brooke Beebe is responsible for leading Hemlock Semiconductor’s stakeholder engagement functions, including government relations, public relations, sustainability, community affairs, employee engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion. She focuses on advancing Hemlock’s mission to be the world’s preferred supplier of polysilicon and vision of being a community-oriented, high-tech employer whose employees and products have a positive effect on the world.

Brooke joined HSC in 2017 to stand up and lead the government affairs, public affairs and communications functions. Her role expanded as the company’s priorities evolved to encompass sustainability, including diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to joining HSC, Brooke served as government affairs director for Dow Chemical, representing Dow in the Midwest region and leading its U.S. state government affairs team. She joined Dow’s Washington, D.C. office in 2007 as political director, then served as federal government affairs director working on security, transportation, and infrastructure issues.

Brooke began her government relations career as federal government affairs representative for Sunoco, Inc. and previously served as a program manager for the 9th Congress of the World Federation of Public Health Associations.

She currently serves on the boards of the Delta College Foundation, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and Midland Center for the Arts; the Saginaw Valley State University Board of Fellows; and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Executive Committee.

Canika Owen-Robinson

Canika Owen-Robinson is the Director of The Neighb Community Center and New Business Integration Leader at Savant, bringing over 30 years of experience and dedication to the science field. At Savant, she oversees the seamless integration of new lab capabilities—managing equipment selection, evaluation, project execution, and staff training. Her leadership extends to capital planning and technical development, ensuring the continued excellence of Savant’s world-class laboratory operations. 

A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Canika has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing science and inspiring the next generation through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. 

As Coordinator of the Michigan State Conference NAACP ACT-SO Program and Co-Chair of the Saginaw NAACP ACT-SO Program, she has spent nearly three decades mentoring and coaching students, organizing competitions, and fundraising to help youth achieve statewide and national recognition through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics. 

Her volunteerism extends to Daniel’s Den Ministries and The Neighb Youth Programming, where she has developed community initiatives that empower young people. She has served as a PTSA volunteer, supported arts and science education through the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy Performing Arts Parent Advisory Council, and coached FIRST LEGO League robotics teams. She has also led hands-on science workshops at local libraries to spark curiosity and engagement among students. 

Beyond her STEM advocacy, Canika has been an ambassador for the American Cancer Society, organized scholarship and youth development activities with the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Xinos and Kudos, and supported the Miss America Organization through mock interviews and judging. As a children’s book author, she highlights diverse stories to inspire young readers and ignite interest in science and creativity. 

Canika’s career and community work reflect her unwavering commitment to education, youth development, and service. She is a proud mother of three children—Dr. Andrea (Kebbie), Dr. Delyn, and Kevin—and the recipient of both the Saginaw All Area Arts Award and the Juneteenth Award honoring her outstanding contributions to her community. 

Wendy Harness

Wendy Harness leads internal communications at Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC), where she helps connect over a thousand employees to the company’s mission, values, and leadership. Her role is all about making sure people feel informed, empowered, and engaged whether they work in labs, offices, or on the manufacturing floor. 

At HSC, Wendy manages everything from company-wide Town Halls and leadership news to safety messaging and employee campaigns. She’s also a key voice behind the scenes, helping teams understand big changes, celebrate wins, and stay aligned with company goals. Her work ensures that every employee, from new employees to executives, has access to the information they need to succeed. 

Before joining HSC, Wendy served in various roles at Delta College where she built her career around facilities management and telling the campuses sustainability story. She’s passionate about making complex ideas easy to understand and creating content that resonates with people from all walks of life. 

Outside of work, Wendy enjoys volunteering in her community including serving on the board for Hidden Harvest, cheering on local events, and spending time with her family. She’s excited to share her journey and show students how communication can be a powerful tool in science, business, and everyday life. 

 

Highlights from a recent event