About Building STEPS

Developed by a science consultant to help under-represented students become science and technology professionals, Building STEPS increases the number of students who earn a college degree and enter STEM and healthcare careers. Launched in Baltimore in 2000, and partnering with our city’s more challenged, under-resourced public high schools, Building STEPS unlocks potential and propels high-achieving, highly motivated students to college and career success.

To learn more, visit https://www.buildingsteps.org/about-us/our-mission/

About Debra Hettleman

Debra launched Building STEPS with the purpose of creating a college pathway for underrepresented students to become STEM professionals. Today, she oversees all aspects of this Baltimore not-for-profit from developing and maintaining corporate and institutional partners to advising the Board on creating and implementing growth strategies.

Over 23 years, Debra has grown Building STEPS from three school partnerships serving 16 students to fifteen high school partnerships serving nearly 150 high school students and 200 college students annually. More than 80% of Building STEPS students earn college degrees. Creating networking and professional development programs, Building STEPS Young Professional Council, made up of all Building STEPS Alumni, advances community engagement and opportunities for peer-to-peer connections. Debra is a graduate of the Greater Baltimore Committee’s The Leadership, has been honoured by the Baltimore Business Journal as Maryland’s Top 100 Women and is recognized by Baltimore Magazine as a Baltimore Game Changer. Outside of work, Debra can be found hiking the trails or kayaking the waters of Maryland’s parks.