March 25, 2025 – Dover, DE – In a momentous celebration of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), Million Women Mentors - Delaware (MWM-DE) has recognized Deanna Bledsoe, Founder & CEO of Kai Coders, as one of Delaware’s Outstanding Women in STEM for 2025.

The announcement came during the fifth annual Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day, an event formally recognized by the state through a Proclamation by Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay and a Concurrent Resolution by the General Assembly. This initiative, launched in 2021 by Jacqueline Means, "The STEM Queen", continues to highlight the incredible contributions of women in STEM and inspire future generations.

A Legacy of Innovation and Inclusion

As the founder of Kai Coders, Deanna is to making tech education more accessible, especially for students in underserved communities. Through Kai Coders, she has introduced hundreds of students to coding and technology, helping them build confidence, curiosity, and real-world skills that prepare them for the future.

Through her work with Kai Coders, Deanna has partnered with local schools and community centers, including Cab Calloway School and Lazarus Education Services, to provide impactful tech education that empowers students of all backgrounds. Her initiatives aim to spark curiosity and equip young minds with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Her impact extends beyond the classroom. As Delaware Treasury’s first IT Director, Deanna led efforts to modernize and automate the state’s banking, credit card systems, and reconciliation processes, significantly improving efficiency, accuracy, and security in financial operations. She was instrumental in ensuring the state’s compliance with PCI/DSS standards, and shared her expertise by speaking at conferences like NAST TMTS. Her work strengthened the state’s financial infrastructure, ensuring greater transparency and reliability in how financial transactions are managed.

Her leadership in tech is guided by the Spirit of Aloha, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Deanna attended the event with her 13-year-old daughter, Alana, an accomplished tech student in her own right. She has already made significant strides in STEM, having:

• Entered the Congressional App Challenge twice, showcasing her coding and problem-solving skills at a national level.

• Developed multiple prototypes of an assistive technology communication device, aimed at helping individuals with disabilities.

• Presented a 90-minute poster session at the 2024 ISTE Conference in Denver, where she shared her assistive tech innovations with over 17,000 attendees from around the world.

• Was as a member of Delaware's 2023 World Championship Odyssey of the Mind team, a testament to her creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

  
  

This event was a full-circle moment, celebrating two generations of women in tech and reinforcing the importance of mentorship and representation in shaping the future of STEM.

Championing the Future of STEM in Delaware

Despite the rapid growth of STEM careers, participation in computer science remains alarmingly low among Delaware students. Less than 6% of high school students take computer science electives—and only 2% are girls. Deanna is committed to closing this gap by creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that make STEM exciting and accessible for all.

Outside of her work at Kai Coders, Deanna has also served as a coach for Odyssey of the Mind teams for the past six years, including leading a World Championship-winning team in 2023. As a current board member of Odyssey of the Mind Delaware, she continues to inspire students to develop creative problem-solving and teamwork skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

“It’s an honor to be recognized alongside such incredible women in STEM,” said Deanna. “This award isn’t just about me—it’s about every student we inspire, every barrier we break, and every future innovator we empower. Representation matters, and I’m dedicated to making sure every child, regardless of background, can see themselves in tech.”

Looking Ahead

Deanna’s work with Kai Coders continues to expand, bringing coding, robotics, and digital creativity into more schools and communities across Delaware. With the support of organizations like Million Women Mentors, she remains focused on empowering the next generation of STEM leaders.

For more information on Kai Coders and how to support STEM education in Delaware, contact us.