Debbie Sterling

In 2012, Sterling, a Stanford-trained mechanical engineer, set out to create toys that teach engineering skills to young girls. Three years later GoldieBlox’s colorful building kits are now sold in 6,000 stores worldwide, including Target and Toys “R” Us; they’ll be in Walmart later this year. GoldieBlox-themed books, TV shows, apps, and apparel are in the works, and look for a girl-powered float next month in the Super Bowl of toys, otherwise known as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For Sterling’s part, earlier this year she was invited to the White House, where she was named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship; and she was recently honored by Gloria Steinem’s foundation for her efforts to get girls interested in STEM.