The Luminary Recipient: Recognized for doing gender equity work. They may be activists, advocates, innovators, or creatives. However they do it, they make meaningful contributions to building a more gender-equitable world, and they call-in others to participate in the work.
Forum was nominated and selected as a 2026 recipient for her work as someone who creates space for people to thrive as their authentic selves. As a third‑year scholar in the Soaring Together Scholarship Program at Lehigh University, Forum has not only used the resources of that program for her own growth but has leveraged them to elevate the voices and experiences of others in meaningful research, making a genuine impact on campus and beyond.
In her recent research project, Forum has tackled issues tied directly to the mission of the GLE Center—questioning norms, exploring how gender/sex expression intersects with opportunity, and bringing data‑driven insights to bear on how our communities can better support diverse experiences of identity. Moreover, Forum’s engagement with the Soaring Together community shows that she is committed to empowerment: her willingness to share her findings, to mentor younger scholars, and to bridge spheres of STEM, business, and gender studies reflects her holistic view of leadership.
Forum has done the work, she has shown leadership, and she has lifted others along with herself. The Luminary Award would be both a fitting recognition of her contributions and a catalyst for even greater future impact.
Click here for a link that displays her research around social media activism!