The NYS Women, Inc. Buffalo Niagara Chapter (BNC) is proud to showcase successful local women who have given back to the Western New York community. “Women In Leadership” honorees are established women business owners or professional/working women who have exhibited leadership, enterprise, and excellence in their business or profession and give back to the Western New York or greater community. The goal of the program is to recognize women who have succeeded both in the business and charitable arenas and help inspire others to follow in their path.

Throughout the year a woman business owner or working woman will be featured. Each June, BNC will recognize all our honorees at an annual event.

Criteria

Established woman business owner or working/professional woman who:

• Exhibits leadership, enterprise, and excellence in their business;
• Gives back to Western New York or greater community with volunteer service 

Women In Leadership Application

May 2026 Honoree

Simone Ragland, LMSW
CEO of Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation

As CEO of Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation Simone is passionate about STEM and strives to make a lasting and positive difference. The Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation provides equitable access to high-quality STEM learning for underserved youth – especially girls, non-binary youth, and youth of color – by addressing racial and gender disparities and partnering with schools and community organizations to create meaningful opportunities.

Simone is CEO of Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation, an adjunct assistant professor at ECC, and co-founder/CEO of Families Aimed Toward Excellence (FATE). She also works with the Buffalo Urban League as a licensed master social worker. She was formerly the executive director of WNY STEM Hub.

She serves on the board of directors for NYS Network for Youth Success as well as Locust Street Art. Simone has a Master of Social Work (LMSW) from UB and a Bachelor’s of Science from SUNY Empire State College.