Welcome to We Reach For The Sky
A Book Celebrating Women in STEM and Beyond
The global team at We Reach for the Sky bring together the inspiring stories of women across the globe, each making their mark in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and far beyond.
These are the voices of women from diverse backgrounds, each sharing their journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of their passion.
This project began with one simple idea – to connect women in astrophotography and astronomy and empower them to share their stories.
As it grew, it became something far bigger: a book featuring scientists, engineers, professors, teachers, and astronauts who all overcame their own self-doubt to achieve what once seemed out of reach. We all know what it can feel like to harbour self-doubt or ‘imposter syndrome’—this book is about overcoming this and Reaching for the Sky—the sky is the limit.
We Reach For The Sky - Needs You!
We need your help to take this book to the next stage.
We’re crowdfunding in March 2025 to bring these incredible stories to life, and we’d love for you to join us in making this vision a reality.
How Can You Get Involved?
Stay Connected
ioiJYou can now pledge on our Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign HERE.
Together, we can ensure that We Reach for the Sky reaches as many women and girls as possible, showing them that they, too, can dream big and succeed in STEM or whatever they choose in life.
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We Reach for the Sky - The Book Team
Claire Bradshaw - Concept
Preetha Palanisamy - Graphic Design
Vikki Macleod - Project Management
Claire Bradshaw is an eLearning and multimedia developer with 20+ years of experience creating learning material that allows individuals to understand ideas and concepts in ways they can grasp. She is also the founder of AstronomyWithClaire, an astronomy outreach and astrophotography business where she shares her passion for the night sky through photography and talks.
Vikki Macleod - Project Management
Preetha Palanisamy - Graphic Design
Vikki Macleod - Project Management
Vikki Macleod is passionate about the synergies of creativity and technology. With a 35-year career, she thrives on helping executives develop dynamic businesses and deliver on missions that make a meaningful difference in the world. Vikki’s delighted to be part of the founding We Reach for the Sky team and help showcase a diverse group o
Vikki Macleod is passionate about the synergies of creativity and technology. With a 35-year career, she thrives on helping executives develop dynamic businesses and deliver on missions that make a meaningful difference in the world. Vikki’s delighted to be part of the founding We Reach for the Sky team and help showcase a diverse group of wonderful women from all walks of life, demonstrating that success comes in every form. She encourages you to join our quest to inspire more girls and women into the world of STEM!
Preetha Palanisamy - Graphic Design
Preetha Palanisamy - Graphic Design
Preetha Palanisamy - Graphic Design
Preetha Palanisamy is a professional software product designer (UX UI) with over 15 years of experience. She specialises in creating intuitive designs that help users navigate a product and perform their tasks efficiently. Check out more on ppreetha.com
Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, exploring l
Preetha Palanisamy is a professional software product designer (UX UI) with over 15 years of experience. She specialises in creating intuitive designs that help users navigate a product and perform their tasks efficiently. Check out more on ppreetha.com
Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, exploring local cuisine, and learning about different cultures. These experiences broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of diverse ways of life.
Shubha Prithvi Raj - Project Management
Shubha Prithvi Raj - Project Management
Shubha Prithvi Raj - Project Management
Shubha is a software engineering professional with over 20 years of experience in product and program management, having worked in high-tech industries in India and the US. Passionate about empowering women in technology, she has served as a committee member for Women in Tech events and has been a speaker, inspiring women in their careers
Shubha is a software engineering professional with over 20 years of experience in product and program management, having worked in high-tech industries in India and the US. Passionate about empowering women in technology, she has served as a committee member for Women in Tech events and has been a speaker, inspiring women in their careers. Shubha has also led non-profit organisations supporting community initiatives and fine arts. Her dedication to uplifting women in tech, serving the community, and supporting the arts remains a central focus in her life.
Joanne Fu Graphic Design(er)
Shubha Prithvi Raj - Project Management
Shubha Prithvi Raj - Project Management
Joanne Fu is a part-time freelance designer specialising in book cover design, with Penguin Random House being a client. Her work is inspired by experimenting with bold colours and folklore, and she loves branching out to design in different genres and markets. On the side, she loves volunteering on unique projects with international team
Joanne Fu is a part-time freelance designer specialising in book cover design, with Penguin Random House being a client. Her work is inspired by experimenting with bold colours and folklore, and she loves branching out to design in different genres and markets. On the side, she loves volunteering on unique projects with international teams that uplift underrepresented voices. You can find some of her work at joannefu.cargo.site
Michelle McClure - Marketing
Shubha Prithvi Raj - Project Management
Michelle McClure - Marketing
Michelle McClure, founder of Hoojy, is a strategic marketing leader with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and people development. Passionate about helping businesses achieve their goals through innovative strategies, Michelle is excited to collaborate with We Reach for the Sky. Together, the team aim to inspire the next ge
Michelle McClure, founder of Hoojy, is a strategic marketing leader with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and people development. Passionate about helping businesses achieve their goals through innovative strategies, Michelle is excited to collaborate with We Reach for the Sky. Together, the team aim to inspire the next generation of trailblazers by fostering creativity, resilience, and impactful leadership across industries. Michelle looks forward to contributing her marketing expertise to engage a community of supporters for the cause, empowering future leaders to thrive and make a meaningful impact. Learn more at www.bringhoojy.com
Namratha Graphic Design(er)
Anna Goldfinch - Graphic Design(er)
Anna Goldfinch - Graphic Design(er)
Namratha is a Software Engineer specialising in building customer-facing products. She recently started her career after finishing her Masters and Bachelors in Computer Science. Outside of work, Namratha has been involved in various organisations for her professional and creative interests. She was the president of the Society of Women En
Namratha is a Software Engineer specialising in building customer-facing products. She recently started her career after finishing her Masters and Bachelors in Computer Science. Outside of work, Namratha has been involved in various organisations for her professional and creative interests. She was the president of the Society of Women Engineers during her bachelor’s degree, during which she aimed to encourage and support women in engineering. She organised multiple hackathons to foster a learning experience for students interested in building products. She also served on the Steering Committee of the Fine Arts League of Cupertino as the webmaster, where she redesigned the organisation's website.
Anna Goldfinch - Graphic Design(er)
Anna Goldfinch - Graphic Design(er)
Anna Goldfinch - Graphic Design(er)
Anna lives in the southeast of the UK with her husband and young daughter. She works as a professional book cover designer for one of the largest publishers in the UK, designing fiction and non-fiction titles after a career change from English language teaching and writing. She knows first-hand that it is never too late to pursue your dre
Anna lives in the southeast of the UK with her husband and young daughter. She works as a professional book cover designer for one of the largest publishers in the UK, designing fiction and non-fiction titles after a career change from English language teaching and writing. She knows first-hand that it is never too late to pursue your dream career, even with a family! Her seven-year-old daughter already shows a keen interest in science, so she is passionate about encouraging girls to enter in STEM and is excited to see careers in this area become more accessible and popular for women.
Casey Bell - Logo Designer
Anna Goldfinch - Graphic Design(er)
Ayushee Chaudhary - Editorial Support
Casey is a Senior Product Designer at RingCentral, where she designs intuitive user experiences for cloud-based communication. Before transitioning into UX, she spent four years leading information systems and technology, gaining expertise in business technology administration and discovering how small strategic changes in process, commun
Casey is a Senior Product Designer at RingCentral, where she designs intuitive user experiences for cloud-based communication. Before transitioning into UX, she spent four years leading information systems and technology, gaining expertise in business technology administration and discovering how small strategic changes in process, communication, and design can maximize workplace efficiency.
In her free time, Casey enjoys photography, traveling, and playing pickup soccer.
Ayushee Chaudhary - Editorial Support
Noemi Kirschbaum - Project Support (Legal and Marketing)
Ayushee Chaudhary - Editorial Support
Ayushee is an Indian aerospace journalist and passionate space communicator. With a background in media and education, she shares knowledge and builds awareness at the intersection of science and art. Ayushee’s award-nominated stories reflect her curiosity and commitment to inspiring others. She has served as Communication Manager for New
Ayushee is an Indian aerospace journalist and passionate space communicator. With a background in media and education, she shares knowledge and builds awareness at the intersection of science and art. Ayushee’s award-nominated stories reflect her curiosity and commitment to inspiring others. She has served as Communication Manager for NewSpace India Limited (ISRO’s commercial arm), collaborated with the Indian Space Association, and supported space startups with marketing and event organisation. Beyond media, she develops student magazines, curates curricula, and runs workshops on space careers and the space economy, fostering awareness and engagement in the Indian space sector.
Noemi Kirschbaum - Project Support (Legal and Marketing)
Noemi Kirschbaum - Project Support (Legal and Marketing)
Noemi Kirschbaum - Project Support (Legal and Marketing)
Noemi Kirschbaum works as a coach for good decisions (kirschbaum.coach) in Germany. She supports people in making and living sustainable, happy decisions.
She has 18 years of experience as a trainer and instructional designer and recently decided to change her life once again: besides a new daytime job as a UX Design Program Manager, she
Noemi Kirschbaum works as a coach for good decisions (kirschbaum.coach) in Germany. She supports people in making and living sustainable, happy decisions.
She has 18 years of experience as a trainer and instructional designer and recently decided to change her life once again: besides a new daytime job as a UX Design Program Manager, she just started a Bachelor's in Psychology. Her two kids (3 and 8) approve. She trains the strength for all this in Crossfit.