Penny P Peterson (she/her/hers) grew up on 40-acres in the small, rural community of Brighton, Colorado. Overcoming significant challenges, including dyslexia and endometriosis, she excelled academically, graduating in the top 10 of her high school class in 2005. A recipient of the Daniel's Fund Scholarship and Pell Grant, she attended the University of Denver, earning an ACS Chemistry degree with minors in Mathematics and French while balancing work-study jobs. She also holds a Master’s in Analytical Chemistry from Colorado State University, specializing in Mass Spectrometry with Atmospheric Chemistry Applications.
Despite her modest beginnings, Penny carved a successful path in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning with an internship at Pfizer and leading to her current role as Scientist I at Tolmar. At Tolmar, Penny co-created a Mass Spectrometry (MS) Council to provide fully inclusive, company-wide MS support to advance scientific capabilities. The council is unique as it includes everyone in any MS discussions, not just MS specialists.
As a woman in the pharmaceutical field, Penny is passionate about increasing female representation in STEM/STEAM, from entry-level analysts to C-suite executives. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and representation, especially for students from families without a history of higher education. Raised by a single mother who did not attend university, Penny's achievements are a testament to perseverance and the transformative power of education.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Penny experienced firsthand the disproportionate impact on working mothers. Balancing her career with raising two young children, she remained committed to her professional role, highlighting the critical need for support systems for working parents. Through her journey, Penny advocates for the inclusion of diverse voices in STEM/STEAM, demonstrating that success is possible regardless of one’s background. Her story is an inspiring example of breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.